Pro golfers see horse therapy at work in Wauconda

Pro golfers preparing to compete in this weekend's Rust-Oleum Championship at the Ivanhoe Club near Mundelein took a break from practicing chipping, putting and driving Tuesday to help kids with disabilities at a therapeutic equestrian center.

For Brad Hopfinger, Kyle Jones, Ian Davis, Sebastian Cappelen and Austin Cook, it was a chance to see how Partners for Progress in Wauconda uses horses to help children and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and degenerative disorders. The animals act as a medium to steady the riders' irregular body rhythms and normalize their physical and mental activity.

“The experience has been incredible to see how some of these kids react while riding horses, and everything that they can do is amazing,” said Hopfinger, 27, who grew up in Lake Forest and walked alongside Emma Cundiff, 8, of Lake Zurich and her horse. “(Emma) had a real weakness along her right side, but now she can hold herself up, ride the horse, put her hands above her head. … It's really cool to see what it's able to do for them. “

Members of the PGA Tour Wives Association also walked with the children and horses.

The event touched Crys Cook, 26, the wife of Austin Cook, on a personal level because her older brother has a disability.

“It was really important to us to make it out here today, give back and interact with the horses and children and see how the therapy works firsthand. It's really humbling,” she said.

Diane Helgeland, executive director of Partners for Progress, gave the golfers a tour of the facility and oversaw the event that she said was a great opportunity to share what the power of the horse can be to people.

Lisa Bialecki Young, whose 10-year-old son, London, has been riding horses at the center for five years, said the riding therapy has greatly improved his physical and mental state.

“He went to traditional occupational therapy and he had some challenges with his core not being very strong,” Young said. “The (riding) therapy provided him better balance and strength in his core and also a lot of confidence. He can stand on a horse and ride without being spotted.”

As for exposing the center to professional Web.com Tour golfers, Young thinks it might help publicize the program.

“I don't think a lot of people know about it. If they can grow awareness of the programs, people might have their children benefit from the program,” she said.