Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, a nonprofit therapeutic riding center in Islandia, will host its first-ever Sunset Rodeo on Saturday, Sept. 20, aiming to raise funds for its programs that serve hundreds of clients with disabilities, mental health challenges and other needs. The event marks the organization’s 30th anniversary.
The western-themed event includes roping, barrel racing and other show riding, as well as a full dinner, drinks and dancing. It begins at 4:30 p.m. at the farm, located at 829 Old Nichols Road.
“It's a very unique and special event just commemorating our 30 years,” said Lisa Gatti, founder and CEO of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian.
The first-ever Sunset Rodeo features live riding demonstrations by veterans, service members and police officers and includes western-themed activities such as axe throwing, line dancing and a branding station for clothes and accessories.
Guests will also have an opportunity to work alongside professional artists by contributing to a mural that will remain on the 13-acre farm after the event.
“It’s always nice to bring people to the farm so they can feel, see and hear very intimate stories as well as a few demonstrations that demonstrate the impact of their generosity,” Gatti said. A historical timeline will be displayed in the barn, showing the center’s past, present and future.
Gatti said she found inspiration for Pal-O-Mine in a Danielle Steel novel. The main character was an avid horseback rider who took a fall that left her in a wheelchair.
“She didn’t want to give up her love for riding, so she opened up this ranch that was for kids with disabilities,” Gatti said.
She added, “That’s where the dream began because I was a lifelong horse girl and I knew I wanted to teach. I just didn't know about combining both passions—teaching and riding horses— until I read Danielle Steel's novel in college... I called my dad at 2 in the morning, and I said I know what it is for the rest of my life I'm going to do. That's where it all began.”
Since Pal-O-Mine, a nonprofit, was incorporated in 1995, it has served more than 15,000 people of various ages (18 months to over 80) with programs addressing physical, emotional and other needs. Even those in wheelchairs can be lifted onto the back of a horse and gain temporary freedom from their disability, Gatti said, adding that the farm has paved paths for accessibility.
“So right now there’s 450 clients every week that we see here at the farm and they’re in one or more programs,” she said. They come from diverse backgrounds, including those with mental health issues or dementia, those with disabilities, survivors of trauma and abuse, and families of military and first responders.
Programs include adaptive riding, which improves gross motor skills, balance, language and social skills while teaching how to ride. Other programs may not involve mounting a horse, such as horsemanship classes focused on communication and respect.
“It’s all about the horse and human connection, and that is one of the most rewarding things that I get to see every day since being the founder,” she said. “And it is so refreshing to see so many people from so many different walks of life come and learn from such amazing, magnificent creatures who don’t even speak a word.”
The farm has grown from Gatti and a volunteer to 85 volunteers, paid staff and a variety of offerings, including overnight wellness retreats for veterans, a horticulture program with a state-of-the-art greenhouse, an accessible playground for children, a horse playground, classrooms, an aquatic pool and an occupational therapy clinic.
“We like to call it a farm but it’s like a campus that is all accessible where there are classrooms, an aquatic pool and an occupational therapy clinic right here on site,” she said.
Tickets for the Sunset Rodeo are available on the website. Proceeds support the programs.
“This specific fundraiser will go directly into our horse and herd care as well as our scholarship funds. We have never turned anyone away for lack of financial resources so it's very important that we continue to have fundraisers,” Gatti said.