Celebrities tee off to support Special Equestrians

Published 1:12 pm Wednesday, September 12, 2012

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Anyone who has heard of Bobby Humphrey knows he could sure play football.

What they probably don’t know is that every year he recruits former teammates and Auburn rivals, as well as other former college and pro athletes to help raise money to support a program that offers people with disabilities the opportunity to do something they might otherwise never be able to do: ride a horse.

Humphrey is the celebrity host for Special Equestrians’ annual Celebrity Golf Tournament Oct. 4. All of the proceeds from the tournament support Special Equestrians, a non-profit organization with a mission to provide quality therapeutic horseback riding and hippotherapy to individuals with physical, mental, developmental and emotional disabilities.

This year’s event will be held at Timberline Golf Club in Calera, and Bobby will be there with an collection of celebrity players, including Terry Daniel, Philip Doyle, Mark Everett, Chris Goode, Chris Hammond, Smokey Hodge, André Howard, Thomas Rayam,

Lamonde Russell, David Smith and Philip Yost.

Special Equestrians certified instructors, licensed therapists and more than 250 volunteers to work to provide a stimulating environment in which participants learn new skills, develop their strength and flexibility and experience a level of freedom while riding that often may elude them in their day-to-day lives.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the shotgun start kicks off at 9 a.m. An after-play lunch party and awards presentation will be in the clubhouse.

For more information about Special Equestrians, visit Specialequest.org.