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Published: September 17, 2008 12:40 am
GASPORT: Olympian to take part in Saddle Up for Roswell fundraiser
By Bill Wolcott
E-mail Bill
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
GASPORT — Olympian Darren Chiacchia, 42, a Springville native who learned to ride at Chestnut Ridge Equestrian Center as a teen, will return Saturday to take part in the third annual Saddle Up for Roswell fundraiser.
Chiacchia earned a bronze medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics and was a strong candidate for the 2008 Olympics when he was seriously injured in a spill in mid-March. His horse hit a jump and somersaulted, falling on the rider.
Chiacchia was in a coma for 42 days and had severe head and chest trauma.
“He’s riding and competing again, and it’s nothing short of remarkable,” said Sue Williams, owner of the Equestrian Center on Chestnut Ridge Road. “His horse misjudged the fence. It’s a risk you take in the sport. It’s very sad. He was a good candidate for Olympics this summer.”
The rider used daily rehabilitation, physical therapy, tennis, swimming and a personal trainer to be able to return to riding.
Chiacchia was eager to help out with the fundraiser, Williams said. He is expected to sign autographs and provide instruction to riders and talk about safety issues.
“I’ve known Darren since he was 16,” Williams said. “He started competing with my husband and was a working student when he was a kid.”
As a teen, Chiacchia had the opportunity to ride Abdullah, the Olympic gold medal winning stallion and sire at Chestnut Ridge.
Chiacchia, who spends his summers in Springville and winters in Ocala, Fla., is working on the Knox Farm State Park project. The park’s 633 acres near East Aurora are home to several species of farm animals including horses, sheep, goats, llamas and chickens.
At Saddle Up, riders will perform in dressage, stadium jumping and cross country in the Harvest Horse Trials and Dressage Show. In its first two years, Saddle Up for Roswell raised more than $25,000 to benefit the Roswell Park.
Chestnut Ridge Equestrian Center will have a basket auction, and there will be a refreshment stand and pony rides. Admission is free.
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