Community Corner

Local Student Competes in Hampton Classic

Kevin Altenburg uses hippotherapy to overcome his developmental disabilities and will compete in the Hampton Classic on Monday.

Kevin Altenburg, 7, will compete – for the third time – in the Hampton Classic on Monday, riding DW, Dreamweaver, a therapy horse from Pal-o-Mine equestrian Inc. in Islandia.

Altenburg competes in the fall and the spring and rides year-round. In order to compete in the Hampton's Classic, he had to compete in qualifying shows. He competes in the equation, in which he is judged in a group setting on his ability to follow the directions of the judges in maneuvering and handling his horse on the field. His mother said he competes in about seven shows a year.

Altenburg's parents – Jennifer and Steven – have worked with him throughout his life to help him overcome his developmental disorders, including ADHD, developmental coordination disorder and sensory integration disorder. All of these disorders were originally treated with physical therapy, and then they discovered hippotheraphy and the Pal-o-Mine riding school.

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His mother said training with the horse allowed him to be much more confident, gain muscle tone and connect with his peers. The Altenburgs began their lives in Commack, moved to Dix Hills and then moved back to Commack, where he is currently in third grade. She said Kevin is in a regular class and has straight "A's."

Lisa Gatti, owner of Pal-o-Mine, said the mission of the center is to teacher horseback riding and equine skills to individuals of all ages with physical, mental and behavioral disabilities. The trainers use the 17 specially trained horses as partners to help the students develop self-esteem and confidence, and help them increase muscle tone and coordination.

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Gatti said the horses are all trained on site. A therapy horse, she said, is not a particular breed, sex or size, but more so of a certain temperament.

One of the Altenburg's other sons – Matthew McCarthy– also worked with the horses at the center as part of a work study program.

Of Kevin, his mother said he has become a confident, successful child who enjoys competition. Gatti said seeing Kevin on a horse is incredible because he, like many of the children who ride at the center, simply becomes like any of his peers – self-aware of his skills as a rider.


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