Fishburne, president of SONC.
Athletes from across the state competed in Showmanship, Western Equitation, English Equitation, Trials, Pole Bending, Stakes Race and Dressage. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to the top three athletes in each division.
The following programs sent delegations to compete in the 2002 SONC Equestrian Championship: Brunswick, Buncombe, Caswell, Craven, Cumberland, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford/Greensboro, Guilford/High Point, Johnston, Mitchell, Moore, Onslow, Person, Robeson, Wake and Wayne.
“This year’s Special Olympics North Carolina Equestrian Championship displayed excellent competition among the athletes,” said Fishburne. “Four new local programs, Caswell, Guilford/High Point, Robeson and Wayne counties, competed in the Equestrian competition for the first time, impacting the growth of the Special Olympics North Carolina Equestrian program,” he said.
As an international sports program, Special Olympics bases its equestrian rules upon the Federation Equestrian Internationale, the American Horse Shows Association and the American Quarter Horse Association. FEI or national governing body rules are used except when they conflict with the Special Olympics sports rules. In such cases, the official Special Olympics rules apply.
Special Olympics North Carolina offers year-round training and competition for more than 26,400 children and adults with mental retardation or a closely related disability. These athletes inspire greatness through their success and provide motivation to the thousands of coaches, sports officials, local program committee members and event organizers involved in Special Olympics statewide. SONC has Olympic-type competition in 18 sports on local and state levels.
