Staff Reports
The 2012 Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo at the famed Will Rogers Complex took on new significance for patients and staff at Pate Rehabilitation in Anna thanks to Demetrio Hernandez and Rickey Young.

Hernandez and Young are patients at Pate Rehabilitation’s Brinlee Creek Ranch, a facility delivering evidence-based treatment and support programs for individuals recovering from acquired brain injuries. Both men are part of Pate’s supported living program and, as part of their therapy, have been riding horses for multiple years with Riding Unlimited, a non-profit organization that provides safe and affordable therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving programs to children and adults with disabilities.

Hernandez and Young participated in the 9th Annual Chisholm Challenge for Special Riders, a horse show for handicapped riders with various emotional, physical and mental disabilities. Both men participated in the English Equitation and Trail courses where they maneuvered their horses through various obstacles by giving vocal and rein commands.

Young was awarded first place in class, while Hernandez took home fifth in class.

Despite Hernandez’s brain injury and cortical blindness - and with ongoing therapy treatments at Pate - he has been horseback riding for more than 10 years.

“I receive so much joy from riding and interacting with the horses,” Hernandez said. “Working with the horses brings back fond memories of my youth.”

Young’s ongoing therapies and his participation in therapeutic horseback riding have helped him achieve major milestones in his recovery.

“I love the horses. They give me special support that I look forward to with every riding session,” Young said.

The Chisholm Challenge officially kicked off the Rodeo and marked Pate’s first year of involvement.