Those taking part in therapeutic riding in Yorkton have some new equipment to utilize thanks to a donation made through the efforts of the Yorkton 4-H Light Horse Club.

Elwood Turner, project leader with the 4-H Club, explained the local group “applied for a grant through the 4-H Council.”

The grant dollars are provide by Cargill’s Specialty Canola Oils Division, and distributed by the Council to 4-H clubs which apply and are accepted from the three Prairie provinces and North Dakota.

The Yorkton application was for $2,500, under the education and health categories of the grant.

“It’s to do community service,” said Turner, adding the club applied to use the money to purchase a special therapeutic riding saddle and some other gear for the Parkland Therapeutic Riding Association.

The special saddle, presented at a wind-up barbecue Saturday, had to be purchased in the United States. It came with additional back padding to help disabled riders sit more comfortable, velcro straps to hold their legs in position if required, and a special hand hold in place of the traditional saddle horn.

Allana Lewchuk, territory manager with Cargill Specialty Canola Oils, said she was happy to see the grant go to such a worthy cause.

“It’s future leaders of tomorrow to give back to the community right now,” she said, adding the saddle “… looks like it will be well-used and well deserved.”

Turner said it was a natural for the local 4-H Light Horse group to help the PTRA, noting “most of our 4-H members are also volunteers with therapeutic riding.”