Able Rider Makes a “Splish”
Kelsey Wins the GAP Logo Contest
When the Yuba City Parks & Recreation Department ran a contest for area children to design a mascot for the new Gauche Aquatic Park (GAP), long-time rider Kelsey Graham saw an opportunity. The 7th grader was taking a watercolor class at school and decided to put her talent to work designing a water related mascot for our new community park & pool.
Kelsey designed, drew and colored a water drop design and named it “Splishy”. The water drop was such a popular theme that the Parks & Recreation Department adopted the idea and declared Kelsey and the three other contestants who submitted water drop concepts as co-winners of the contest. Even Kelsey’s suggestion of the name was adopted (slightly modified) for the new mascots, “Splish” and “Splash!”
In addition to a free family pass for a full GAP season, all four girls got to participate in a photo shoot with Splish (the girl) and Splash (the boy), and had their photo on the back cover of the Summer 2007 Yuba City Parks & Recreation Activity Guide. 
More About Kelsey
After five years of participating in Able Riders, Kelsey’s balance skills and independence have improved tremendously. Whereas she used to be “wobbly” and hesitant, she is now willing to try almost anything. She recently tackled a kids’ challenge course, riding the zip line swing, whooping it up all the way, and walking right down the middle of netting suspended 30 feet in the air without hanging on to the sides!
Kelsey now describes herself as brave and strong. She is getting ready to graduate from 8th grade and will be attending Yuba City High School in the Fall. She plays TOPSoccer and Challenger baseball, and wants to work in a restaurant and at a veterinarian’s office when she grows up.
Wanted: responsible Volunteers over the age of 14
Able Riders is recruiting responsible young people and adults to volunteer for our program. Able Riders is a therapeutic horseback riding program for children and young adults with special needs. We are looking for individuals to help sidewalk, lead, and groom horses. While horse experience is desired, it is not necessary.
Therapeutic horseback riding is a fun and motivating way to provide therapy for individuals with physical, mental or emotional disabilities. We welcome new volunteers as part of the program. We offer training and seek people who want to truly make a difference in the lives of children with special needs.
We ride on Tuesday evenings. The first of our four 45 minute sessions begins at 5:30 p.m.
We are a 4-H community club. To learn more about volunteering, please call Able Riders at 751-9526.
We need you!