GCDA Congratulates 16 Year Old Para-Dressage Rider, Kelby Barranco for Winning 2013 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
Wellington, FL (November 22, 2013) – The Gold Coast Dressage Association (GCDA) is pleased to announce that Kelby Barranco, a 16 year old para-dressage rider who has volunteered at GCDA for over 6 years, has been named 2013 Youth Volunteer of the Year by the United States Dressage Federation. This prestigious award will be presented to Barranco during the 2013 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention, presented by SmartPak, in Lexington, Kentucky.
The GCDA is especially proud of Barranco, and they are excited to support him in achieving his goal of becoming a member of the United States ParaEquestrian Team. “We could not be happier for Kelby, and are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this dedicated horseman,” said Noreen O’Sullivan of the Gold Coast Dressage Association and the Wellington Classic Dressage Association.
The USDF Youth Volunteer Award is sponsored by the USDF Youth Programs Advisory Subcommittee and honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed both nationally and locally to USDF and the sport of dressage. According to O’Sullivan, Barranco is a regular on the horse show circuit as both a rider and a volunteer. In 2013 alone, he dedicated over 750 hours of volunteer service at competitions including the Wellington Classic Dressage, Gold Coast Dressage, and International Horse Sport shows. What makes this award even more admirable, however, is the fact that Barranco has cerebral palsy. When he was born, his mother, Monica Barrano, was told that he may not ever communicate or even walk. She explains that horses changed their lives when someone suggested they try horse therapy. Within only 6 months of riding, she already saw dramatic changes in her son, and he has continued to grow and improve ever since. “He’s extremely happy and self-confident,” she describes, “and you don’t see the disability when he’s on a horse.”
Barranco was nominated for the Youth Volunteer of the Year award by Robyn Weston of Region 2. “Kelby makes a unique contribution to education, recognition of achievement, and the promotion of dressage,” stated Weston, “He is a classified Para Level II rider and a wonderful ambassador for the para-dressage community and for the USDF.” The USDF Youth Programs Committee selected Barranco for his passion for horses and for dressage. The committee wholeheartedly commends Barranco for his dedication to dressage and the ability to be a positive role model for other youth, through exceptional volunteerism.
Photo: The Gold Coast Dressage Association (GCDA) is pleased to announce that Kelby Barranco, a 16 year old para-dressage rider who has volunteered at GCDA for over 6 years, has been named 2013 Youth Volunteer of the Year by the United States Dressage Federation. He is pictured here with GCDA president Noreen O’Sullivan. (Photo courtesy of John Flanagan)
John Flanagan Gold Coast Dressage Association jflanagan@wellingtonclassicdressage.com 561 714 1809
