Horse riding nonprofit to host fundraising event to support its programs

MONTVILLE TWP. — Only a few months into its founding, Majestic Equine Connections Inc. will be hosting its first Leap into Fall fundraiser in mid-October to raise awareness of its nonprofit organization, along with raising funds to help improve the services provided. Majestic Equine Connections Executive Director Jennifer Stankiewicz provides several different programs involving horses to help individuals in the ways that would best fit them. The organization's main focus is on the riders, with more than 10 people participating at its location, 7460 Wooster Pike Road. Stankiewicz said she works to maintain safety while encouraging people to have fun. "It can be uncomfortable for people when they start but after they get to do it on a consistent basis, then they just love it," Stankiewicz said. During each lesson, Stankiewicz said that she will do calming effects while people are riding the horse to help them ease into riding and get more comfortable. Before starting Majestic Equine Connections, Stankiewicz worked at similar programs helping people with disabilities ride. "I look at them as what they can do and I just see the smiles and the transformation after they're done riding and it just amazes me," she said. In addition to the riding program, Majestic Equine Connections focuses on creating connections between each person and the horse. In their horse connections program, Stankiewicz helps people understand how to communicate with the horses whether that be through their body language or through grooming and exercising them. "Having that connection with the horse, it could be an emotional, positive experience for someone," Stankiewicz said. Outside of helping those with disabilities, Stankiewicz said that she believes that horse riding is a way to deal with stress. Stankiewicz said that Majestic Equine Connections focuses on providing a positive and kind environment for everyone who participates. "People have a lot of stress in different ways, and I want them to be here to enjoy themselves and grow with us," Stankiewicz said. On Oct. 22, Majestic Equine Connections will host its Leap into Fall fundraising event at the Medina County Fairgrounds from 1-4 p.m. to help raise funds to support the organization. The event will be filled with games, raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle, free family photos and much more. With the money raised during the Leap into Fall event, Stankiewicz hopes to help fund several projects to benefit both the nonprofit and its participants. Her first goal is to use the money to offset any costs for the participants that may not be able to pay the full cost of the program. In addition, Stankiewicz is looking for funding to purchase adaptive equipment, like stabilizing saddles, to help those with disabilities ride safely and securely. Finally, Stankiewicz's goal is to create an indoor arena to provide year-round lessons for the participants. Shiloh McClelland, one of the participants' parents, said her son has muscular dystrophy and through his weekly lessons, has been able to improve. "He's stronger since he started and his balance is better," she said. McClelland said due to the inability to have lessons in the winter, her son has to restart the process each spring. With an indoor arena, he would be able to keep going with lessons without having disruptions due to the weather. As Majestic Equine Connections continues its work, Stankiewicz hopes to add more people to her roster of participants and eventually move the program to a bigger location. "We're really hoping that the community gets involved because we are here to stay and we're here to grow," she said. To learn more about the organization and the fundraiser, visit majesticequineconnectionsinc.org. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.