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Ohio County Equestrian, Inc. was incorporated in 1998 by John and
Rhonda Leach. Its origin, however, goes back much further
and involves heartache, loss, hope, and most of all love. The love
of two people for God, for each other, for their children, for the horses
that have always been part of their lives, and for the extended
family of riders they have met along the way.
Rhonda was born in
Muhlenberg County and attended Western Kentucky
University. John was born in Ohio County and
spent much of his time riding and showing horses
in the surrounding areas of his home. In 1975, Rhonda and John were married and they
continued to ride and show Tennessee Walking horses.
During the next ten years, God blessed
them with three wonderful children; Dena, Chris, and Elizabeth.
By the time Elizabeth was born, Dena was
suffering from something that had attacked her
muscular system. Chris, three
at the time, had just started showing some of the same early symptoms. Soon
after Elizabeth’s birth the diagnosis was given
for all three children—Friedreich’s Ataxia, a
progressive neuromuscular disease.
Dena and Chris were already
learning to ride horses with their parents. As
the children grew older all three continued to
ride. As the disease progressed, the doctors
were amazed at how limber, strong, and
coordinated the children continued to be.
Everyone agreed, a large part of the credit went
to the horseback riding.
It was from these personal
lessons in the value of the horse to the special
rider that OCE was created. Johnny and Rhonda
realized that many other people could benefit
from their experiences and that God had blessed
them with the skills and the desire to help
others who may not have the same opportunities.
They created OCE to include riders of all ages
and skill levels regardless of how they may be
physically or mentally challenged.
In addition to starting OCE,
they actively seek out like minded people who
wish to start similar programs and provide help
and advice on how to get started.
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