RTT rider’s determination to overcome MS leads to 2023 Adult Equestrian of the Year award

By Kelly Johnson
Special to The Windham Eagle

At Riding To The Top’s 14th annual Triple B celebration last fall, Debbie Hutchinson of Raymond shared her emotional story of navigating life with Multiple Sclerosis and how riding horses at the Windham facility has improved her physical heath and that her relationship with a horse there has boosted her emotional well-being. Hutchinson’s efforts to overcome MS at RTT have led to her being honored by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International as its 2023 Adult Equestrian of the Year.

Riding To The Top rider Debbie Hutchinson
shows her equine partner Paxton her award
as 2023 Adult Equestrian of the Year by the
Professional Association of Therapeutic
Horsemanship International.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Hutchinson has been dealing with MS for 30 years and has been a client of RTT for the past three years. She’s experienced struggles with balance and spasticity which affect her ability to walk, but something magical began to happen to her when she was partnered with an RTT mare named Paxton.

“When I’m riding Paxton, I don’t have MS,” she said.

According to Hutchinson, working with Paxton at RTT has not only helped her to deal with her MS more effectively and has also given her a new support network to deal with MS through the friendships that she’s forged with the staff and volunteers at RTT.

Multiple Sclerosis is an immune-mediated disease producing an abnormal response of the body’s immune system which attacks the central nervous system by mistake. The immune system attack damages the body’s myelin, the substance that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibers and the cells that make it. Without myelin to protect nerve fibers, they are also damaged. This can lead to a range of unpredictable symptoms such as tingling, numbness, pain, fatigue, memory problems and paralysis.

Riding To The Top (RTT), a Therapeutic Riding Center in Windham, was founded in 1993 and its mission is to enhance health and wellness through equine assisted services. More than 250 clients each year are impacted and assisted by a team of certified instructors, a herd of 17 horses and nearly 100 volunteers, all specially trained to assist with therapeutic riding, carriage driving and Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy using equine movement. It is Maine’s only facility that is accredited by Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (Path Intl.).

The RTT facility is a community-based nonprofit and receives no federal or state funding while providing scholarships to more than 60 percent of clients who avail themselves of equestrian services offered there.

Hutchinson’s efforts to not let MS control her life drew notice and admiration from everyone she has worked with at RTT.

“From her first entry to our center, Debbie's grit and determination were as obvious as her wide smile, said Kate Jeton, RTT program director. “She has formed an amazing bond with her horse and without assistance is able to walk and trot, modulating rhythm and pace and creating bend in her horse’s body, in spite of not being able to effectively use her right leg. Her feel for her horse is obvious and her elation is infectious."

The riding team that works directly with Hutchinson said she’s truly inspirational and deserving of the 2023 Equestrian of the Year honor.

"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Debbie for several years. She performs her pre-ride warm up with tenacity, enthusiasm, and determination to assure a successful lesson,” said Susan Layton, RTT team member. “She deals with the stress of her condition daily, but when she is sitting high on her horse, her focus is on establishing a close connection with her horse, achieving horsemanship skills, and the pure joy of riding. Her constant smile says it all."

Her achievements riding Paxton also gained the attention of Path Intl., which leads the national advancement of professional equine-assisted services by supporting members and stakeholders through rigorously developed standards, credentialing and education.

“As an international voice in the equine-assisted services (EAS) industry, PATH Intl. has a responsibility to recognize individuals and equines that symbolize our celebration of ability, optimism, diversity, and a shared love of equines,” said Alyson Thrasher, PATH’s Membership and Education Representative. “Exceptional equestrians who join in the excitement offered by EAS are a testament to the power of the horse to change lives. Debbie Hutchinson is an outstanding representative of the PATH Intl. adult equestrian community.”

To learn more about Riding To The Top’s client services, volunteering, or making a gift to RTT, visit www.ridingtothetop.org or call 207-892-2813. <

Riding To The Top celebrates volunteers at curbside event

Riding To The Top volunteer Stacie Hamilton feeds Luke, an
RTT horse, a treat. SUBMITTED PHOTO

COVID-19 did not stop Riding To The Top from celebrating the contributions of its mighty volunteer team.

Originally, RTT planned to hold a large barbeque on the shores of Sebago Lake, but this year’s celebration was configured into a smaller “curbside” event at the farm. On Tuesday, June 23, RTT staffers gathered (physically distanced of course!), decorated and rallied to show appreciation for the Center’s 160-plus volunteers.

In 2019 alone, volunteers at Riding To The Top contributed more than 11,000 hours in service valued at over $254,320.

Volunteers at RTT work in the barn, in lessons with clients, exercise horses, repair and maintain the facilities and help with trail improvements. Volunteers also serve on the Board of Directors, on committees and work at fundraising events.

Executive Director, Sarah Bronson said that “RTT volunteers have been an integral part of the organization since it was founded by volunteers in 1993 and they continue to be the heart of the organization.”

She said that volunteers save the organization hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

“While we missed gathering for our larger celebration this year, we were glad to have been able to thank and recognize the people who did so much for RTT last year,” said Volunteer Coordinator Nick Doria.

This year, 27 RTT volunteers received The President’s Volunteer Service Award:

Bronze Level Awardees (Adults 100 to 249 hours/Young Adults 100 to 174 hours): Christine Blackadar, Jo Blinick, Early Bonney, Gradeigh Cameron, Janis Childs, Susan Courson, Cindy Elder, Barbara Foster, Trish Friant, Stacie Hamilton Waldron, Margi Huber, Cathy Kelso, Fran Maxwell, Nancy Robinson and Laura Rochette.

Silver Level Awardees (Adults 250 to 499 hours/Young Adults 175 to 249 hours):

Mark Fuller, Julia Hamilton, Sarah Miller, Jodi Peasley, Clayton Peters, Ashley Reed, Bryony Urquhart and Liz Wood.

Gold Level Awardees (Adults 500 or more hours/Young Adults 250 or more hours): Lina Jordan, Dan Morabito, Pat Niboli and Patty Shaw.

In addition, special recognition of outstanding service to RTT included: Stacie Hamilton Waldron (Volunteer of the Year); Ashley Reed and Lilly Towle (Youth/Young Adult Volunteers of the Year); Melissa and Eric Prime (Administrative Volunteers of the Year); Susan Layton (Lesson Rookie of the Year Award); Jack DiPaola (Barn Rookie of the Year Award); Trina Bellavance (Volunteer Schooler Award) and Maureen Mathieu (Barn Volunteer of the Year).

RTT also recognized the following for outstanding contributions:

• Under The Covers Band: (Volunteer Group of the Year )
• Windham Knights of Columbus: (Volunteer Civic Group of the Year)
• Headlight Audio-Visual: (Corporate Partner of the Year)

Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center was founded in 1993 and its mission is enhancing health and wellness through equine assisted activities and therapies. Located in Windham, RTT is the state’s only year-round PATH International Premier Accredited Center solely dedicated to Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies.

More than 250 clients visit annually, assisted by certified instructors, a herd of 16 horses and over 160 volunteers, all specially trained to assist with therapeutic riding, equine assisted learning, carriage driving and hippotherapy. Riding To The Top is a community-based nonprofit, receives no federal or state funding and provides financial aid to more than 60 percent of its clients. 

For more information about client services, volunteering, or making a gift, please visit us at www.ridingtothetop.org or call 207-892-2813. <

The Healing Tribe offers complementary therapy for those in need: Fundraiser next Friday

By Lorraine Glowczak

In the conventional sense, a tribe is described as a social and/or cultural group who have something in common. Urban Dictionary approaches the word with a more contemporary viewpoint; “A group of friends that become your family. The people that will be there for you no matter what…”

The Healing Tribe, a new Windham non-profit organization established approximately one year ago, offers free massage, energy therapy, and Bowenwork®* as complementary service to those in need who are engaged in traditional treatment and analysis and suffer from anxiety, depression, and/or chronic pain. The Healing Tribe is like a group of friends who will be there for those who most need it but cannot afford it.

“The Healing Tribe is a group of massage therapists, energy workers and a Bowenwork® practitioner that work in conjunction with social workers and other clinicians who recommend alternative therapies to their clients in order to help aid the process of recovery and emotional healing,” explained Lisa DeFosse of Windham, the brainchild of the non-profit. “There are a number of individuals who can afford the healing benefits of massage, energy therapy and Bowenwork®. 

However, there are many others who could gain additional recovery and therapeutic advantages from alternative medical practices who cannot afford it. That is where The Healing Tribe comes in.”

This is not the first time DeFosse has participated in the complementary therapy concept. When she was working as a massage therapist in Saco, she worked alongside a grant funded program that provided the same services as The Healing Tribe offers today in the greater Windham area. “When I
worked for that program, it felt very rewarding to help people heal on a deeper level. I was amazed at how body and energy work assisted in the healing of the more conventional and clinical therapies.”

DeFosse, who is certified in massage therapy and Bowenwork®, now owns her own business in Windham. She wanted to bring the same experience and opportunity to the Lakes Region.

“Since we have begun working with the medical professionals, clinicians are telling us they see positive results,” DeFosse said. “It helps make the client more relaxed and breaks down walls. As a result, the individual is able to speak more clearly about the issues they face and are able to approach it in a more mindful manner.”

Some participants in the program have been in chronic pain and experienced migraines for many years. In one case, an individual saw changes within in three weeks after receiving services from The Healing Tribe. She has eliminated a majority of her pain medications and is now able to sleep through www.thehealingtribe.com.)
the night. The headaches are gone. (For more testimonials, go to The Healing Tribe website at

In the event the massage, energy work and Bowenwork® open unexpected emotional discomfort that may require immediate clinical therapy, The Healing Tribe practitioners are able to communicate directly with the clinicians. “We are prepared in the event that deep emotional wounds may surface,” explained DeFosse. “This is a safe environment, and everyone involved is dedicated in taking the best quality care for all clients.”

The massage and other healing modalities, offered free of charge, doesn’t come without a cost.

“Bodywork practitioners are very skilled, educated and passionate about offering their services, but it is very costly to do so for free,” DeFosse stated. “Bodyworkers must keep up and continue education credits and meet state certifications, must pay for office rent or mortgage and this service is most often their primary source of income. As a result, The Healing Tribe raises funds and is in the process of writing grants in order to pay those therapists who offer the ‘free’ service.”

One newly established annual fundraising event to help with the cost of this free service is a spaghetti dinner and silent auction that will take place next Friday, October 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Memorial Drive. The dinner will include a salad, garlic bread and
dessert. The cost for the dinner is $8 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under.

If you are unable to make the event, you can make a financial donation to The Healing Tribe at www.thehealingtribe.com. For more information, contact Lisa DeFosse at healingtribemaine@gmail.com.

*According to AmericanBowen.Academy, Bowenwork® is a system of touch that initiates a series of responses through stimulation of the nervous, musculoskeletal, and fascial systems and the energetic pathways. Practitioners perform a sequence of small movements on specific points on the body, interspersed with rest periods.