A significant milestone for a Yorkton business turned into a significant windfall for a local charity last week.
Terry Ortynsky鈥檚 Royal Ford celebrated 30 years in business October 1 with an open house. The event included well-wishes from Ford Canada, the Province and the City, a vintage car show, a sausage and pierogie supper and live entertainment with the Steve Gibson Band.
Proceeds from the supper went to the Therapeutic Riding Association (TRA) of Yorkton, which provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to ride horses.
鈥淗orseback riding for the disabled is recognized as one of the more progressive forms of therapy,鈥� states the organization鈥檚 website. 鈥淭he ability to control a horse as well as one鈥檚 body inspires self-confidence, responsibility and teamwork. Best of all, it is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, which creates a special relationship between rider and horse and promotes personal challenge.鈥�
As of press time the total funds raised had not been tallied.
鈥淚t means a lot because the Therapeutic Riding Association is funded entirely by donations,鈥� said Teresa Hartman, TRA vice-president. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really lovely because it鈥檚 a very expensive program to run.鈥�
Hartman is also a parent of one of the participants, so knows first hand how valuable the program can be.
鈥淥ur daughter was born with spina bifida, she鈥檚 10-years-old now and she鈥檚 been riding for five years,鈥� Hartman said. 鈥淭his year is her fifth year and in those five years we鈥檝e seen a tremendous amount of growth. Socially she鈥檚 grown, she鈥檚 grown with maturity, she鈥檚 grown with stability and strength, it鈥檚 helped her with her core strength. She doesn鈥檛 have full feeling in her legs so the horse riding is just a great opportunity for her to feel a little more normal. And the horses are just lovely and wonderful and it鈥檚 just a really great program with our daughter.鈥�
鈥淲e wanted to do something that鈥檚 memorable to celebrate 30 years and give back for the support that we鈥檝e received,鈥� Ortynsky said.
Gerald Wood, general manager, western region, Ford Canada, said the event was consistent with Ortynsky鈥檚 character.
鈥淗e鈥檚 always there to help us,鈥� Wood said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 on a number of committees of smaller groups of dealers that help us make decisions in the better interest, he also serves on our advertising committee for the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and when you look at the environment he creates and the philosophy they operate under, it鈥檚 really what we鈥檙e looking for. If we could take that model and consistency and put it across to all our retailers across the country, we鈥檇 be a pretty happy organization.鈥�
