Providing opportunities for all abilities

By Tania Millen, BSc, MJ

"My passion is not just enabling but pushing individuals — with or without disabilities — just that little bit past what they think they can do, and see their face light up when they do it." — Stella French

French operates Manestream Vaulters and Manestream Equestrian near Victoria, British Columbia (BC).

“Stella helps disabled people live an authentic life,” says Nicole Bengtsson whose teenaged son has autism and is coached by French. “She provides a safe and inclusive space where disabled athletes can be themselves and do things they never thought they could do — like gymnastics on horseback. My son had trouble climbing ladders on the playground when he was younger. He’s placed second at the BC vaulting provincial championships competing against non-disabled athletes, because of Stella’s coaching.”

Stella with Zachary LeHay riding Princess Leena, a 13.2 HH Haflinger mare. Photo: Kim Scott

Right after high school, French knew that coaching would be her vocation. She was exposed to vaulting when working at a summer camp and was fascinated by the idea that she could coach numerous riders with just one horse. French also realized that vaulting provided a way for new riders to achieve success much faster than occurs during beginner riding lessons. Accordingly, when the first BC-based pilot project to certify vaulting coaches was offered, she got her certification.

Photo: Nicole Bengtsson

French is now a certified coach with Equestrian Vaulting Association of BC, Certified Horsemanship Association, Equestrian Canada, and Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association. She founded Manestream Vaulters in 2004 which is operated by a committee of parents whose children are involved in vaulting activities.

Then about 12 years ago, French noticed a gap in the opportunities available to riders who had outgrown therapeutic programs. There simply wasn’t a place for them to continue riding and learning about horses. Since French was already coaching vaulting, she started integrating opportunities for disabled riders into the Manestream Vaulting program, plus began her Manestream Equestrian coaching business.

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“People who aren’t able-bodied are human beings, too,” says French. “If someone has Down Syndrome or their legs are short, that doesn’t mean they can’t stand on a horse. It just means they might need to do it differently or on a different timeline.

“I’ve got many clients with disabilities who don’t fit into a traditional therapeutic riding program any more,” says French. “Most of them started there, but they’ve outgrown the program, or there are no competitive opportunities, or the size of the horses isn’t appropriate.”

French’s Manestream programs are about inclusivity — supporting people where they’re at and helping bring out their best. The emphasis isn’t necessarily on being the best rider or vaulter, but on being the best human being. 

Photo: Manestream Vaulters

“When you join Manestream you’re first seen as a person,” says Bengtsson. “There are handlers and riders who have a variety of disabilities: autism, mental health issues, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and probably other diagnoses. Stella has created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for disabled athletes to push themselves beyond what they think they can do.”

French also provides leadership opportunities.

“My son is autistic and wasn’t comfortable being in a group,” says Bengtsson. “He had trouble looking people in the eyes, difficulties with communication, and social anxiety. Stella selected him to be a junior coach at age 11. Nobody else ever recognized him as having any kind of leadership qualities. 

Stella French with Tyler Woolley riding Island Queen at the BC Summer Games. Photo: Kim Scott

“These children are learning skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives: self-awareness, healthy communication, and working as a team,” says Bengtsson. “I haven’t seen friendships develop anywhere else the way they do at Manestream between disabled and non-disabled people.”

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French is clearly filling a gap in the horse industry but thinks that a shift in perspective is needed in the larger equestrian community.

“I look around the industry and don’t see others doing what I do,” says French. So, part of her current work is encouraging future coaches to include all athletes in their programming.

Manestream Vaulters - Photo: Nicole Bengtsson

“It’s not that big a step to take someone with a disability into a mainstream riding program,” says French. “I’ve got so many riders who just need elastics on their stirrups and knobby reins to ride independently. And then they’re riding better than your average beginner kid in the school string. I’ve taken vaulters and para-riders to the BC Summer Games for many years.”

Her message to other coaches is: “Be a little bit brave, give them what they need and let them try.”

To learn more visit the Mane Stream Vaulters website.

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Main Photo: Stella French with Sam I Am. A 15-year-old Clydesdale gelding, Sam I Am is the main vaulting horse used for all levels. Photo: Jane Stone