Written By Jeffrey Reed
SARI Therapeutic Riding in Arva is the winner of the first annual LondonOntarioSports.com Community Spirit Award.
The new award recognizes Southwestern Ontario individuals or groups who change and better the lives of others through sports, leisure and recreation.
There are endless stories of how members of the Southwestern Ontario community work tirelessly to better the lives of others through sports, leisure-time activities and recreation. Those heroes include athletes, coaches and administrators, trainers and staff members, as well as teachers and volunteers. The Community Spirit Award now honours those amazing community leaders for their invaluable dedication to changing the lives of people whom they assist on a daily basis.
SARI Therapeutic Riding, founded in 1978 by Syd and Jeanne Greenberg, is a charitable organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities through the therapeutic power of horses. Created in memory of their daughter, Sari, who was born with Down Syndrome and who passed away as a teenager, the organization began with a couple of horses and a few students.
Today, SARI has grown into a 13.2-acre facility, serving over 350 participants annually with the help of 250 weekly volunteers and a herd of 20-plus horses. SARI continues to honour Sari’s legacy by fostering inclusion, independence and personal growth through meaningful equine connections.
“SARI exists to provide therapeutic experiences for disabled individuals in our community,” explained SARI Executive Director Lisa Citton-Battel. “We have an occupational therapist on staff, and we work very closely with physiotherapists and speech language pathologists to cater individual programming to each of our participants.”
Stephanie is SARI’s 2025 Ambassador Rider. A 14-year-old teen with a heart full of joy and determination, she was diagnosed with CFC Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, and faces daily challenges. Yet as Stephanie’s mother, Beverly, explained, her daughter’s life has changed through SARI’s equine therapy.
“Stephanie started riding at SARI three years ago, following her Epilepsy diagnosis. Her occupational therapist recommended riding to help with muscle tone, walking, socializing and endurance. Her first ride was nothing short of a miracle! Stephanie was sitting taller and more confidently than I had ever seen before, beaming joyfully.
“Stephanie’s bond with her SARI horse, Ace, is truly magical,” Beverly added. “On tough days, Ace provides a sense of calm and energy, and Stephanie can tap into the strength they share. This unspoken connection has made an incredible difference in her life.”
“SARI is truly honored to receive the inaugural Community Spirit Award,” said Citton-Battel. “This recognition reflects the incredible spirit of our dedicated staff, volunteers, participants and their families. Our core values of inclusivity, collaboration, dedication and passion drive us to foster a community where everyone feels supported and valued. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for this award and commit to continuing to earn it each day.”
Award-winning writer
Jeffrey Reed has covered Middlesex County sports since 1980. He is publisher and editor of LondonOntarioSports.com. Reach him at
jeff@londonontariosports.com.
