MOULTRIE — Members of the Colquitt County Special Olympics Equestrian Team have been practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and a few Saturdays in preparation for the State Horse Show in Perry this past weekend.

All this hard work paid off.

Riding “Chip” and “Slim,” the team returned with four gold, six silver and four bronze medals, and three fourth-place, two fifth-place, and two sixth-place ribbons.

Athletes competed in Beginner Showmanship; Beginner and Intermediate English Equitation or Western Horsemanship; Beginner and Intermediate Trail on Saturday and Sunday.

Every athlete competed in two events. Some in three events.

The results include:

On Saturday:

Beginner Showmanship: Katherine Walker, first place with “Slim;” James Palmore, third, with “Slim;”Rebecca Hampton, second place; Rashad Johnson, second place with “Slim;” Steven Pitts, first place with “Chip;” Justin Law, third place with “Slim;” James Moxley, fifthth place with “Chip.”

Beginner I English Equitation: Jelisa Wooten, fourth place on “Slim;” Justin Law, second place on Slim.

Beginner I Western Horsemanship: Brianna Summerlin, third place on “Chip; ” Deon Grant, third place on “Chip;” Josh Torbert, third place on “Chip; ” Katherine Walker, second place on “Slim.”

Beginner II English Equitation: Rebecca Hampton, sixth place on “Slim.”

Beginner II Western Horsemanship: James Palmore, fourth place on “Slim.”

Intermediate I English Equitation: Steven Pitts, second place on “Chip.”

Intermediate I Western Horsemanship: James Moxley – sixth place on “Chip;” Rashad Johnson – fourth place on “Slim.”

Sunday:

Beginner I Trail: On “Chip:” Josh Torbert, third place; Brianna Summerlin, fourth place; Deon Grant, first place. On “Slim,” Jelisa Wooten, third place; Justin Law, second place; Katherine Walker, first place.

Beginner II Trail: On “Slim:” Rebecca Hampton, third place; James Palmore, fifth place.

Intermediate I Trail: On “Chip:” James Moxley, second place; Steven Pitts, first place; On “Slim:”Rashad Johnson, fourth place.

Chip was handled by Kelli Goff and Sherri Sherman. Slim was handled by Sharon Davidson and Zoe Campbell.

Karen Cole coordinated getting athletes and horses to their heats on time.

Also assisting were Beau Sherman, horses; Aloumia Brown and Tara Torbert, athletes; Ashley Brown, Brooke Walton, Ashlee Parrish, Megan Smith and Mandy Davidson, sidewalkers.

When not riding the athletes were entertained by local clowns, participating in arts and crafts and a great dance on Saturday night.

A good time was had by all athletes, coaches and support staff.

“We are very fortunate to have such a program for these athletes,” Cole said. “However, it takes volunteers and donations to keep it running. Magnolia Civitan Club has adopted the team as an ongoing project. They obtained pasture land, vet services and members care for the horses. They supply the feed (get hay donated when possible), feed and groom the horses; purchase needed tack.

“They currently have two horses and are looking for the donation a third for the program. The team is also in need of western and English riding attire, and boots in good condition. Because of new safety regulations, the team will also begin replacing the current riding helmets.”

For more information and/or tax deductible donations contact Karen Cole at 891-5255.