Politics & Government

Auction Raises Thousands for Therapeutic Horseback Program

The annual Bakas Horse Sponsorship Auction raised money to fund the care for the Center's 16 horses that provide therapeutic horseback riding to people with physical and mental disabilities.

This year's Bakas Horse Sponsorship Auction proved to be a success raising $13,100 for the center, according to Hillsborough County.

The auction was held on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Bakas Equestrian Center, located at 11510 Whisper Lake Trail.

This year's auction had a rodeo theme. Volunteers and horses competed against one another at the event. Sponsorships for the horses were auctioned off. Each winning bid received a stall plaque as sponsor for their horse for the year.

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The Bakas Equestrian Center is part of the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. It has been part of Hillsborough County's therapeutic recreation program since 1987, and yearly thousands of disabled riders benefit from this program.

The Center hosts riding lessons for children and adults who have physical or mental disabilities. The Center, tucked away behind the Waterchase neighborhood, offers introductory riding lessons, games on horseback, basic to advanced riding skills, competition in Special Olympics and challenge shows, driving with horse and carriage, trail rides and more. It also offers riding to the general public, including scheduled trail rides and birthday parties.

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 For more information, call the Bakas Equestrian Center at 813-264-3890.

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