By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
Elaborate hats, mint juleps and horses.
Once a year, a small corner of Metamora, Michigan feels like Louisville, Kentucky.
And this year was no exception as Banbury Cross Therapeutic Equestrian Center hosted its 25th Annual Derby Day Celebration on Saturday to coincide with the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at the famed Churchill Downs.
A total of 260 stylishly-dressed ladies and gentlemen attended the upscale fund-raiser generating more than $100,000 for the center located at 1223 Brauer Rd., just west of M-24.
Banbury Cross utilizes horseback riding to help students with physical and cognitive disabilities grow emotionally and socially while improving their overall fitness and strength.
Many of the students attend Oxford Schools.
Featured at this year’s Derby Day celebration was Banbury Cross Rider of the Year Gabby Cates.
‘Banbury’s taught me so much,? Gabby said. ‘There’s no way I could thank everyone who has helped me become a better rider and person.?
She expressed heartfelt gratitude to everybody from Banbury Cross Executive Director Jessica Moore to Corey, her favorite horse.
Gabby was born deaf and received cochlear implants at age 2 and again, at age 5.
Despite the implants, her mother, Shelley, said ‘she’s still functionally very hard of hearing.?
At age 8, Gabby was diagnosed with depression.
‘She was feeling very lonely and isolated, and having a hard time keeping up with her hearing peers, especially the girls that she wanted so badly to be friends with,? Shelley explained.
Her therapist recommended that Gabby get involved in something she loves ‘because a shared interest is the best way to foster relationships? with others.
‘Like most 8-year-old girls, Gabby loved horses,? Shelley said.
But when Shelley called around to various equestrian facilities, they were ‘a little squeamish about having a deaf, novice rider in the arena.?
Even a teacher at school told Gabby’s parents ‘it’s too dangerous? for her.
Then Shelley saw an advertisement for Banbury Cross in the local newspaper. She immediately went there, filled out the paperwork and ‘had Gabby on a horse inside of a week.?
‘Banbury Cross has literally changed the course of Gabby’s life,? Shelley said. ‘Instructors have become mentors. Volunteers and riders have become friends. She has made lifelong relationships and a whole world has been opened up to her.?
Shelley noted while it’s true that therapeutic horseback riding has numerous physical benefits, ‘it is also so much more than that.?
‘It’s about rising to a challenge, a sense of accomplishment, inclusion and dignity,? she said. ‘Banbury Cross excels at these things. We are a family. Not only does Gabby ride here, she also volunteers. In fact, my whole family volunteers here. We get so much more out of it than we put in.?
Thanks to the ‘unconditional love and support? she’s received at Banbury Cross, Shelley said, ‘Gabby has become a confident, well-adjusted leader ? a strong young lady with a bright future.?
‘Miracles happen here,? she noted. ‘When you support Banbury Cross, you are partnering with the angels and changing people’s lives.?
Gabby will be riding for the Bloomfield Hills High School Equestrian Team this fall.
‘Her coach is blown away by her riding skills and her horsemanship,? Shelley said.