B22—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, iunt 23,1984
BY ROBIN PHILLIPS
Staff Correspondent
SHARTLESVILLE - The Rajah
Mounted Patrol, the horse unit of
the Rajah Shrine Temple,
Reading, uses the slogan, “We ride
so that crippled children may
someday walk.” Since 1978 they
have been sponsoring a horse show
each year for the benefit of crip
pled children. With this slogan and
this purpose, Paulette Stoudt has
pledged her help to handicapped
children. She staged her third
attempt at achieving the world
record in endurance riding during
a Shriner’s weekend extravaganza
to benefit crippled children.
You might have seen her if you
attended the festivities in Shar
tlesville this past weekend at the
Mountain Springs Camping and
Riding Resort, about one mile off
of 1-78, Shartlesville. The events
included a donkey basketball
game, country music each night,
therapeutic riding demonstrations,
canine corps and drill team
demonstrations, a pig roast, and
the annual horse show, which
concluded the weekend on Sunday.
Paulette began her endurance
test on Wednesday, June 13th at 6
a.m. and concluded with a total
time of 100 hours and ten minutes
in the saddle on Sunday morning at
10:10. She did it, and volunteers
who were on hand to officiate and
verify the times for the Guinness
Book of World Records, were
ready with the champagne.
So, what’s so great about this?
Why would she want to do this?
You are probably asking these
questions.
Twenty-three-year-old Paulette
hails from R 1 Mohnton.
An accomplished horse show
judge and well known for her
ability to train and show horses,
Paulette relates how she perceived
this idea of endurance.
“1 saw a girl walking in and out
of a door for 12 hours,” she states
about a television show about
Guinness world records. “That’s
really stupid, I thought,” Paulette
remembers. “I wanted to do
something that’s real endurance,
to benefit something,” she said.
Soon after this, Paulette decided
to try for the Guinness world
record in horsemanship en
durance. It was in June of 1980,
when Paulette set her first record
of 58 hours and 15 minutes, to make
the Guinness Book of World
Records. Proceeds from this ride
went to the Animal Rescue League
of Berks County. In 1981 Mick
Grealy, of Australia rode for 62
hours and broke her record. In
\ts«
Here Paulette is on a five-minute trot. Spectators stopped by constantly for the en
tertainment and to see Paulette try to break her record.
Horsewoman rides 1
1982, Paulette rode again and
surpassed all previous records
with 67 hours.
Proceeds from this ride went to
Pegasus Wings, a therapeutic
riding group for the handicapped,
and the National Foundation for
Happy Horsemanship, Inc. This
record was also broken by two
girls from Washington who rode
for 70 hours.
“This is probably the hardest
thing I have done in my life,”
Paulette states. “I feel strongly
about what I am doing,” she says.
Paulette says that she wants
people to realize what it means for
handicapped people to ride, and
this is her way of bringing han
dicapped riding to the public’s
attention.
Several years ago Paulette had
the fortune to meet one of the
people responsible for introducing
handicapped riding in the United
States. She also got to know
several handicapped riders and
saw the emotional and physical
benefits that horseback riding
gave to these children. Since then
her record-breaking attempts have
been for their benefit.
During each ride, Paulette asks
for donations for these children.
She also states that wheel chair
ramps, equipment, tack, horses,
and feed, are needed. The local
group based in Boyertown is trying
to get their own place with an in
door ring and appreciates all
donations.
For this attempt, Paulette asks
that the donations be sent to the
Easter Seals Therapeutic Hor
seback Riding Program.
Donations can still be given and
interested people can contact John
Gancar, Easter Seals, Reading,
Pa. at 215-775-1431.
Paulette had to walk, trot,
canter, gallop, and jump three
hurdles no less than three feet high
every three hours to achieve the
record. After every three hour
interval, she was allowed a 15-
minute break. The different paces
of the ride were all timed in five,
ten, and 15 minute intervals by
volunteer timers, around the clock.
The attempt involved over ten
horses and 50 people. While some
people walked with her and talked
to her during her attempt, others
manned the clocks, log books, and
entertainment during the ride. All
the entertainment was donated
and the proceeds benefit the
Easter Seals handicapped riding
program.
Riding has been helpful
emotionally and physically for the
handicapped. It strengthens
00 hours to benefit the handicapped
This photo was taken in . JB2 after Paulette finished her 67 hour ride with Eric, a
handicapped friend who rode the last three hours with her. Eric came to see Paulette in
Shartlesville and although he was still in braces, he could walk to her.
Most of the manpower for this attempt was supplied by volunteers from the Rajah
Mounted Patrol. Local people also gave their time and support in helping Paulette
achieve her goal. These volunteers were keeping the time records which they had to sign
for verification. Smith and Sallie Mase, Hamburg, gave their support each day. Donna
Delong, R 1 Hamburg, right, walked among the spectators to gather signatures for
witness verification,
weakened muscles, coordinates
limbs and trunk movements, and
gives an emotional boost when it is
really needed.
(Turn to Page 823)
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Paulette and her horse stand with Bobby Paul after taking
a few seconds to drink some juice. She says she eats on the
horse and likes to brush her teeth on horseback at night to keep
awake. Bobby, Paulette’s fiance, was with her most of the time
and usually road or walked alongside her.