A Thornlands horse riding centre for people with disabilities could close next week, as tensions brew over funding.
About 27 riders a week use the Calisto Park Equestrian Centre facility, the brainchild of disabled rider Clair Byrne, who set it up in 2012 to create a hub for disabled.
It was a dream come true for Ms Byrne whose centre flourished to become the largest disabled riding park south of Brisbane.
Riders’ ages range from three to 60 and they have conditions including Rett syndrome, Williams syndrome and autism.
Thornlands woman Lorette Wigan had allowed the disabled riding centre to operate for free out of her Pine Lodge Equestrian Centre.
It was also hoped Calisto Park would benefit from “self-directed funding”, when the National Disability Insurance Scheme, starts operating in Queensland next month.
But the centre has hit hard times and shut its doors last week forcing locals to raise $10,000 to re-open its lessons for some of the areas most challenged.
A dedicated team of volunteers runs the centre which has been told it needs to rein in financial backers, more volunteers and committee members to keep it going.
Treasurer Karen Howe said donations were needed to keep the doors open but long-term support and sponsorships were also essential.
Centre president Charmaine Livingston organised a meeting to decide the centre’s future for Tuesday.
She said equine-assisted therapy and the prospect of setting up a youth group would be discussed as possible ways to encourage patronisation.
The possibility of a permanent closure has affected life for Mrs Howe’s 11 year-old son Dylan, who is a “non-verbal” disabled rider.
Mrs Howe takes Dylan to the riding school every week and said it was heartbreaking to have to tell him his classes had been cancelled.
"I have to say, 'No CPEC darling, they are closed',” said his mother and treasurer of Calisto Park, Karen Howe.
“He turns away, and through his ipad translator says ‘horse’.
"It's heart breaking."
Many of the riders with physical limitations claim when they are astride a horse they are “equal” with abled-bodied people.
Redland mother Hayley Rikihana said riding therapy helped her daughter reduce the number of seizures.
Her daughter’s seizures had gone from more than 300 a day to riding bareback almost unassisted.
“I have witnessed the transformation that some of the children have gone through and it is nothing short of a miracle,” Ms Rikihana said.
Anyone who wants to help can contact Mrs Hoe on khowe@fixmypay.com or Pine Lodge, 78 Taylor Road, Thornlands, 4164 at info@calistopark.com.au.
