Celebrating the Rider, the Journey, and the Heart Behind Every Stride
In 2024, Daisy DeSimone won Champion of the advanced division and the Abby Clay Rutgers Memorial Award (High Point Adult Rider).
At Mane Stream, we strive to make our participants as independent as possible so that they can truly achieve great things. One of our adult riders, Daisy DeSimone, embodies that completely. She is extremely dedicated and hardworking, which shows through her riding and barn skills. Daisy, like many of our other riders, has taken advantage of multiple programs that Mane Stream offers, such as adaptive riding, adult camp, riding in the demonstration at the spring event, and the Annual Horse Show.
Daisy’s journey at Mane Stream started during the pandemic when her previous lesson barn unfortunately shut down. She had ridden there for over 15 years, so it was very important to her and her family that she find a barn that continued to help her grow as a rider, while keeping her safe. After an 18-month hiatus due to the pandemic, Daisy found her “home” at Mane Stream. Daisy’s parents were also pleased that Mane Stream works with the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) for funding of all her lessons! Without that resource, Daisy would likely not be able to afford to ride. While the time off from riding did affect her confidence for a bit, she quickly adjusted and is now one of our most advanced riders. Not only do her skills shine on the back of the horse as she can confidently walk, trot, canter, and jump, but her skills also shine in the barn. Daisy loves getting her horse ready on her own as she says that it gets her excited and ready to ride. Her parents love the connection she has built with the horses through grooming, her favorite horse being Don.
While Daisy participates in our adaptive riding program throughout most of the year, she also loves participating in the adult weeks of our summer camp program. They offer a fun experience for adults with special needs. Not only do they ride every day, but there are a plethora of educational and fun activities for them to do with each other. Daisy says, “It is very fun to ride with others and spend the day with them around the horses.” Her parents love that Daisy gets to participate in our camp program, especially that she can “be with her peers in a sport that she is committed to.” And even though camp can be “hot and dirty,” she truly loves every minute of it!
Daisy has also participated in some of Mane Stream’s special events. Daisy was asked to show off her skills in the riding demonstrations during The Party in the Paddock spring event in 2024. She demonstrated how to walk, trot, and canter poles in front of a large crowd, which she handled with enthusiasm and grace, as always. Her mom said, “Watching Daisy do an exhibition ride at the Mane Stream fundraiser and thinking back to where she started, all the things the doctors said she would never be able to do, put a lump in my throat. It reminded me to never stop believing in her potential.” And that’s truly what Mane Stream is all about: reaching one’s full potential no matter the challenges along the way.
Another event that Daisy loves is competing in the annual horse show! Daisy always put in hard work during her lessons, and that really shined through at the last show. In 2024, she won Champion of the advanced division and the Abby Clay Rutgers Memorial Award (High Point Adult Rider). When asked about her achievement, Daisy said that she was very excited and proud of herself. Her parents shared in Daisy’s excitement, stating, “Just like any parent, there is a sense of pride when you see your child succeed. As the parent of a special needs child, that feeling is exponentially higher. There are fewer opportunities for them to experience success, so when they get the chance, you are proud, but also very grateful for the opportunity.” Although Daisy is very competitive, she also showed great sportsmanship by rooting on her friends and fellow competitors.
While Daisy and her family love the programs offered by Mane Stream, they say that the people here are what make the experience so special. Her parents beamed, “Mane Stream has staff and volunteers that give so much of themselves and create an atmosphere of fun, caring and skill development.” Creating an inclusive, fun, and safe environment is at the heart of Mane Stream’s mission—something Daisy and her family truly appreciate. Staff and volunteers alike agree that Daisy is an absolute joy to work with, and successes like hers, in any form, are what it’s all about. Daisy wanted to add, to any riders looking for a barn to call home as well, “You should ride here!!!”
Written by: Alex Willard, Barn Manager & Instructor
