On June 14, Reigning Hope Therapy sponsored their fourth annual Be a Rising Star Barrel Race at Reigning Hope Ranch in Falcon. The race is specifically designed for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities. Each participant received a buckle and placement ribbons.
This year’s race included 44 contestants, ranging from age 2 to age 30. “We run it like a professional barrel race, including the drill team from Kit Carson Riding Club, along with the Kit Carson Royalty Queen,” said Kurt Dennison, the board president of Reigning Hope Physical Therapy farms. Dennison and his wife, Paula Rayer, live across the highway from Reigning Hope and have been highly involved with the success of the barrel races. Paula Rayer has barrel raced all her life while struggling with Type 1 Diabetes. Although she no longer races, Rayer is the director of the barrel race.”We had thought and prayed about developing a race for all those individuals with special needs,” Dennison said.
At the event, the Falcon Fire Protection District showed up and showed off their fire engines and ambulances to the kids and visitors. Carnival games, a food truck, face painting, a cotton candy station, a moon bounce and yard games rounded out the activities.
Reigning Hope Therapy Services is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides a farm-based clinic, offering programs that include occupational, physical and speech therapies, adaptive riding, horsemanship lessons and mental health services for special needs families. Founded in 2008 in Florissant, Colorado, Reigning Hope was originally known as Chuckie’s Place, named in honor of founder Kesti Suggs brother, who grew up with special needs. Randy Suggs, Kesti’s husband, is also a founder and co-owner.

Cortland Turner dressed the part of a barrel racer and obviously enjoyed the event.

Hanna Woelfel is riding Louise, and leading the horse on the right is barn manager Elizabeth Moyer. The owners alongside the horse to the left and right are Randy and Kesti Suggs.
