Relational Riding stages grand opening ceremony

Now that the hammers and saws have been put away, Cheney's Relational Riding Academy is hosting a "Grand Opening Celebration" on Saturday, June 18, to show off its upgraded riding facilities and most importantly raise money for the HEART program.

The mission of HEART, Healthy Equine Association for Rehabilitation and Training, is to "improve the lives of children and adults." According to information provided by academy owner and HEART executive director Michelle Binder-Zolezzi, the non-profit organization rescues horses who are candidates for euthanasia for any number of reasons, and returns them to a useful life "working in education and school horse programs, or with economically disadvantaged and disabled children and adults."

Since setting down roots at 3714 W. Anderson Road in fall 2013, the academy and the HEART program have really taken hold. Binder-Zolezzi said she currently handles probably 50 lessons a week, and where two years ago there was just one newly created horse show team - the HEART Drill Team - now there are three.

"We've grown tremendously," a beaming Binder-Zolezzi said on June 9.

The facilities, however, were less than ideal. The two riding arenas were small and old, and at times the various teams had to practice their routines outside in all kinds of weather conditions.

"It was the best in the price range we could afford at the time," Binder-Zolezzi said.

Three months ago, the academy began an upgrade. The smaller, 60 foot by 120 foot, indoor arena remains, but now alongside it is a brand new 70 foot by 170 foot arena, a permanent trail course and a 20 meter by 60 meter outdoor dressage court.

"Basically what we have now is four riding areas for people," Binder-Zolezzi said, adding the project contractor, Town and County Builders, "did a phenomenal job here for us."

Part of that growing clientele is Gonzaga University instructor Beth Cooley, who comes to the academy to get something she missed as a youth despite growing up in a family that kept horses - learning to ride.

"To come here and get some world-class instruction is great," Cooley said, adding she also volunteers by helping at kids' camps and cleaning out stalls.

Cooley is one of 27 volunteers Binder-Zolezzi has available to her. Another is HEART team member Emily Denny, who works around the arenas in exchange for lessons.

"I like drill," Denny said of her favorite part of riding. "It's way more complex than people think it would be. It's a pretty small space for 10 horses (to move around in) so it takes coordination."

Beth Noel and her daughter Jaylynn, a seventh-grader at Salk Middle School in Spokane, have been riding at the academy for three years and on the HEART team since it began in 2014. Both look forward to their riding time together, and Beth Noel said the lessons leave a noticeable impact on the riders.

"I love the confidence it builds up in the kids," she said.

Saturday's grand opening will showcase some of what Relational Riding does. Following the presentation of the colors at 2 p.m., there will be a "Parade of Breeds" featuring academy horses and a performance by the HEART team choreographed to music from the movie "The Man from Snowy River."

Another featured event is "Up Close to You," a chance for young children to become familiar with horses. A catered smoked prime rib or chicken dinner begins at 4 p.m.

Tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for youth ages 11-15 and $15 for children under 10. Tickets must be purchased by June 17, and can be done by calling (509) 290-4301 or via email at [email protected].

Binder-Zolezzi said there would also be a silent auction, as well as possible a wine tasting.

"It's going to be a big tah-do-dah," she added.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].