Special-needs riders experience 'healing power of the horse'

She said there are horse programs at the camp even for those who don't have special needs and she hopes to do more events like the one on Wednesday. She recalled a recent horse expo where she recorded the performance of one of the camp's participants. When the woman watched the video, she started crying.

"That makes it worthwhile," Russell said. "It doesn't pay much. I just do it because I love it."

Ultimately, Carly opted not to ride, but Scott Larsen said that's not uncommon.

"Sometimes she does, sometimes she doesn't," he said. "But the other kids did and they seemed to have a great time."

This was confirmed by Kelsie Wagner, of Kearns, who won a blue first-place ribbon in her trails category, riding the camp's horse Minnie.

"It's exciting," Wagner said of the win.

And as for what she loves about being on a horse?

"Everything."

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