Coodanup boy riding high

He is a shy but confident boy and a passionate horse rider. 

However, today’s Harley Bandarian is completely different to the frightened child he was six years ago when he started horse therapy with RDA.

“He would just go into a little shell, absolutely fearful about actually getting on the horse,” RDA volunteer Dianne Beardmore said.

“He had to be coaxed to get on, and he would be holding his head and covering his face, and really anxious about it.

“He didn’t like to get anywhere near any other horses, so he had to be kept a bit aside.”

Harley now comes in, talks to the volunteers and is able to ride his horse on his own, without the assistance of side walkers and leaders.

His mother, Belinda Gent, said he is a completely different child and he won’t do anything else but horse riding.

“He loves going horse riding, he can’t wait to get out there,” she said.

“This is the only sport that he does, he won’t do anything else, just horses.

“No basketball, no nothing else.”

Harley suffers from an unknown chromosomal condition that caused him to have an intellectual delay, several seizures and other side medical conditions. 

He is currently undergoing medical testing, together with his parents and his sister, to try to determine what caused his condition.

Six years ago, Ms Gent made the decision to enroll Harley in horse therapy with RDA through their school, Meadow Springs Primary. 

Despite being hesitant at first, Harley is now embracing the therapy, has come out of his shell and blossomed as a rider.

“He’s just blossomed so much,” Ms Breadmore said.

“He now says hello and goodbye, which he would never do before.

“It’s just so heartwarming to see the progress from a little frightened boy to this young man who has gained so much confidence.”

Earlier this month, Harley stood up amid a crowd of unknown faces and walked up a stage to collect a prize by RDA Western Australia as the most improved rider of 2016.

“When we did the awards night we weren’t sure if Harley would get up, because of his confidence,” RDA volunteer Belinda Brown said.

“But as soon as he was announced he was up as quick as anything, which was a major, major step for Harley.”

Ms Gent was overwhelmed.

“I never actually thought that Harley would get something like this,” she said.

On Thursday morning, Harley surprised everyone again when he walked in front of all his fellow students at Meadows Springs Primary to collect a trophy for his achievements.

He didn’t hesitate and he event shook Ms Brown’s hand. 

However, he still has several challenges to face in the future.

He is about to graduate and will be changing schools to Halls Head College next year.

Ms Gent said she is optimistic about the change, and she said that Harley has already booked his Saturdays in to continue his horse riding adventure with RDA in Fairbridge.

RDA is a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers that provides horse riding and carriage therapy for people aged three and above who have a disability.

Volunteer Belinda Brown said the therapy helps their clients to stretch their muscles, gain balance and boost their confidence in a fun and engaging way.

Besides exercising their muscles, their clients also learn about subjects like maths, colours and nature while playing.

The therapy is open to people suffering any sort of disability, physical or mental, and available for people who require a wheelchair.

During the RDA state award ceremony, RDA Mandurah and Murray riding coach Deb Harrison-Vicary was awarded 2016 Coach of the Year, and volunteer and coach trainee Michaela Gosby received the Leon Mills Memorial Award for Young Volunteers 2016.