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2009 ILLINOIS SPECIAL OLYMPICS and HELPING HANDS COMPETITIONS
AT THE MAUI JIM HORSE TRIALS

Special Olympics are seen as the culmination of therapeutic riding which provides an alternative for people with mental retardation and associated physical handicaps, an alternative that focuses upon ability rather than disability. Further integration between the Horse Trials and the Special Olympics is provided by the Helping Hands competition in which Maui Jim Horse Trials riders are paired with Special Olympic athletes, and the scores for their respective endeavors are combined for additional awards.

Since 1993, the highlight of the Horse Trials has been the Illinois Special Olympics Equestrian Competition that takes place adjacent to the Stadium Jumping phase of the Horse Trials. In 2009, these very special athletes will again compete alongside their world class counterparts on Sunday, at Lamplight Equestrian Center, North Dunham Road, Wayne, Illinois. The Special Olympics will start at noon with an opening ceremony that includes the reading of the Olympic oath, and the competition will continue until 4:00 P.M. when Helping Hands Competition awards are presented.