Michelle Purri of Clinton Township has gained confidence in pursuing her passion for horses.UPDATE: Results and photos from the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International three-day event.
Michelle Purri, who got an award from the National Down Syndrome Society, enjoys riding Elwood, accompanied by the horse's owner, Loren Spiotta-DiMare. There are many interests in the life of 22-year-old Michelle Purri, but as the Clinton Township resident told 250 people when the National Down Syndrome Society honored her this month, "riding is my passion."
Purri, who received the Melissa Riggio Voices Award from the organization during a luncheon in Manhattan, is a "self-advocate" who hasn't let Down syndrome prevent her from pursuing her dreams and working toward a degree at the College of New Jersey.
Speaking in front of a large group can be intimidating for anyone, but Riggio -- who says she has developed confidence through her equestrian involvement -- stood up to give a speech that ended with her favorite saying: "If you dream it and believe in yourself, all things are possible."
The award goes annually to someone with Down syndrome exemplifying the spirit of Melissa Riggio, who died when she was 20.
"She was very optimistic and outgoing and wanted to prove that people with Down syndrome were just like those without an intellectual or developmental disability," said Mark Priceman, a vice president of the National Down Syndrome Society.
He noted Purri was selected by the Riggio family because they felt "she embodies the same spirit that they saw in their daughter."
Purri's photo is on the cover of "Therapy Horses: Horses That Heal," part of a children's book series, "Horses that Help" by Purri's longtime friend, Loren Spiotta-DiMare.
When Purri is asked to sign a copy of the book (and each person at the luncheon got one) she always writes "all things are possible," because that's the way she was raised.
Her mother, Anne Marie Sima-Purri, knew about her daughter's condition as soon as she was born, and set the tone for her child's life right then.
As Purri told the society members, "inclusion has been an important part of my life. My mom always said when I was born that I was not in a separate nursery, so why would I ever be separated in my life? So that is how I am living my life."
A graduate of North Hunterdon High School, she completed a technical school program in baking and has had a clerical job at a dental office and a mentorship at the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office.
Inclusion also encompasses the way she rides. Although Purri started out in a therapeutic riding program when she was five years old, today she rides Spiotta-DiMare's quarter horse, Elwood, in regular western lessons with trainer Tiffany Totorello at Robin Hill Farm in Pittstown. There are no sidewalkers to direct her path, or watch to make sure she doesn't fall.
"She's in total charge of her horse," said Totorello, who had "no experience whatsover" working with people like Purri.
"She's mainstreamed," said Totorello, explaining the only difference between her and the others she teaches is that "I sometimes go over things a few more times than with other kids."
Purri walks and trots with aplomb, but while learning to canter is in her future, her trainer notes that when she's in the saddle, "she's in charge."
Asked how she interacts with Elwood, Purri said, "I feel brave on him. He listens to me. When I ask him for something, he does it right away."
Spiotta-DiMare noted that her horse is a quiet and safe "slowpoke."
"Many riders would find him frustrating. Michelle doesn't care. They have a wonderful time together," she said.
After her daughter's initial involvement with horses, Sima-Purri and her husband, Joseph Purri, wanted other experiences in their child's life. That involved
ballet, swimming, and music and art lessons among a variety of activities. But horseback riding trumped everything else, especially when Spiotta-DiMare got a horse.
Sima-Purri does not hesitate to admit, "I'm petrified of horses," citing their size. She marvels at her daughter's ability to handle a horse, saying, "She gets right up there, and away she goes."
ON THE RAIL -- Despite leading after cross-country with Master Frisky, Boyd Martin lost the 3-star division of the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International three-day event Sunday when he had a rail and two time penalties in the final phase, stadium jumping, at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Area in Elkton, Md.
Boyd Martin led the 3-star division with Master Frisky at the Dutta Corp.Fair Hill International after the cross-country phase. Jennie Brannigan, second after cross-country, won the competition and the U.S. Equestrian Federation's fall championship. with a clean stadium performance on Cambalda.
Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda came from behind to take the U.S. Equestrian Federation's fall championship and developing championship at Fair Hill. In the 2-star division, only 76 of a record 114 starters completed cross-country. Victoria Jessop, a native of Britain, was ahead on her Desert Mystery with 41.3 penalties.
Victoria Jessop and Desert Mystery ranked first following cross-country in the 2-star division at Fair Hill Students and friends of dressage trainer Roy Como of Phillipsburg, who died last month at 67 after battling cancer for two years, have put together a fund in an attempt to insure a peaceful retirement for his aged dressage horses.
Roy Como, a well-known New Jersey dressage trainer, who died last month. Como became involved with dressage in the 1970s before moving from Virginia to New Jersey, where he was a fixture at dressage shows run by Delaware Valley Horseman’s Association, ESDCTA and BFK Enterprises, among others. He also was an "L"-rated judge.
Donations for the welfare of St. Tropez and Jan Wellem can be made online at http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/safe-haven-fund-for-roy-como-s-aged-horses/239378
Private services for Como will be held Nov. 1...
After a long season of serious riding, it's time to do something relaxing. Three organizations are offering fun and games over the next several weeks.
Today, the Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association is hosting games at its facility in Sergeantsville.
Next Sunday, the Readington Trail Association is having its Fall Fun Day & Jeopardy Trail Ride at the Round Valley Youth Center in Lebanon at 8:30 a.m.
There is a three-mile ride or a seven-mile ride between 9 a.m. and noon. Other activities include a costume competition and a trail challenge obstacle course between 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. There also will be a gymkhana in the same time frame.
The Harding Township/Green Village Bridle Path Association is having its Fall Fun Show from noon-4 p.m. Nov.1 at the Spring Valley Show Grounds in New Vernon.
There is no fee for entering the classes, which range from a walk-only competition to break-your-gait-and-out and a variety of games, including a pumpkin relay, a trail class and barrel racing.
However, a $35 donation to the bridle path association is suggested, with money going toward buying a new brush hog for the group's tractor so trails can be kept in condition.
Those attending are asked to bring a favorite dish of food for a potluck meal. Dress is casual but neat, with helmets required and all classes open to both English and western riders.
Participants should bring water for their horses. For questions, call (973) 464-8738 or (973) 271-7186.
ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
Today: Asbury Classic Week II, The Ridge at Riverview, 3 Wolverton Road, Asbury; Eastern Pennsylvania Reining Horse Association Fall Spooktacular Show, Gloucester County Dream Park, 400 Route 130 South, Logan Township; Fourth Annual Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure, Horse Park of New Jersey, Route 524, Allentown; Essex Fox Hounds Hunter Pace, Cedar Lane Farm, Homestead Road, Oldwick (9 a.m.-2 p.m.); Delaware Valley Horseman's Association Fun 'n' Games Day, DVHA Showgrounds, 299 Ringoes-Rosemont Road, Sergeantsville; Autumn Riders Show, East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold; Oxbow Stables Combined Test, Dressage Show and Horse Trials, 39 Orts Road, Hamburg.
Friday: CJL Show, Duncraven, 1300 Trenton-Harbourton Road, Titusville (through next Sunday); National PHA Championship, Centenary College Equestrian Center, 12-56 Califon Road, Long Valley (4 p.m. start Friday, 8 a.m. Saturday and next Sunday).
Saturday: Sussex County Benefit Show Series Finale, Sussex County Fairgrounds, Plains Road, Augusta; High Point Equestrian Dressage Show, The Pumpkin Chunkin’ Halloween Atlantic Hunter Pace, Atlantic County Park at Estell Manor,109 Route 50, Estell Manor (for information, call 609-742-6904.).
Oct. 26: Lord Stirling Stable Stuff the Turkey Hunter Pace, 256 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge (9 a.m.-1 p.m.); Readington Trail Association Fall Fun Day and Jeopardy Trail Ride, Round Valley Youth Center, 1124 Stanton-Lebanon Road, Lebanon; Jersey Palms Dressage Show, 177 South Stump Tavern Road, Jackson.
Nancy Jaffer: nancyjaffer@comcast.net.