By Elizabeth Cloutman
Some Los Altos Hills residential vintners shared their wines at Westwind and Wineries, an event held Oct. 28 to benefit the Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped.
The benefit, attended by 100 people, has already raised $2,000 for the riding program, which provides weekly riding sessions at Westwind Barn for physically challenged youth, ages 5-19. The program is funded completely by donations.
The benefit was free and open to the public, but donations were suggested. Its sponsor was Hills 2000, an organization of 600 Los Altos Hills residents who support preservation of the town’s rural ambiance. This was the first wine-tasting benefit Hills 2000 has held, but at least two Hills 2000 members were optimistic it would not be the last.
“I call this the first annual traditional Westwind and Wineries,” said Duffy Price, who attended with her husband, John Harpootlian. Event organizer and former Los Altos Hills Mayor Elayne Dauber noted that while the wine-tasting was limited to 100 people on a first-come, first-served basis, she had a waiting list of others who wanted to attend.
Attendees, divided into eight groups went to the home wine cellars of Judie and Peter Wolken of Cloudstone Vineyards, Robert and Madeline Tacy of Byrne Park Winery and Brian Hollins of Belle Époque. Dave Ewald of Lupin Cellars shared his wine at Westwind Barn on Altamont Road.
Jane Kawasaki, manager of Westwind Barn, led small groups through the 13-acre grounds. Nancy Couperus, director of the Westwind Riding Institute, the nonprofit organization that operates Riding for the Handicapped and maintains its horses and equipment in a separate barn, explained how the program works.
Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped participants come once a week, 4-5 p.m., on either Monday or Thursday, for their lessons. Lessons incorporate exercises from simple stretching to turning around in the saddle. There are also games and occasional trail rides - such as Thursday’s trick-or-treat ride (delayed by rain from Monday) - when the young riders, atop seven costumed horses, traveled to nearby Cortez Lane and back to Westwind. Adult and teen volunteers serve as either leaders or “sidewalkers,” who help riders keep their balance in the saddle. The riders can also participate in Westwind’s horse shows.
Both riders and volunteers become members of the Santa Clara County 4-H program, part of the University if California Cooperative Extension. The Westwind program began in October 1978. Currently 14 children participate in eight-week sessions, scheduled throughout the year. There is a waiting list of others who want to participate. “While we ask a $5 donation for each session, we don’t require it,” Couperus said.
All seven of the program’s horses were hand-picked for their even temperament and were trained to work with children. “About half were donated, half were bought,” Couperus said. “Unfortunately, they are all between 20-30 years old.”
Riders learn new skills and self-confidence, and the interaction with the horses provides special benefits, said volunteer Valerie Metcalfe. “People and horses have a telepathic bond,” she said. While some kids are in walkers, once they feel self-confident, (riding) is a liberating sense of freedom,” she said.
One boy was basically nonverbal, but within two weeks had learned one-word commands for the horses. Another longtime participant, a blind girl, has graduated from the program. Now 14, she rides in regular competitions.
To contribute to Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped, make your check payable to the Westwind Riding Institute. The mailing address is 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills 94022. For more information, call 947-8680.
