South Korea and Japan
- December 23, 2023
- Personal
To my delight I had the opportunity to make a fourth visit to South Korea and Japan. I felt much more confident about traveling this time. I was less anxious about going a long way in a taxi to Asan-Si, where I would stay with Sarah and Bobby Shechner.
As soon as I met Sarah, I went with her to sign in as a guest at Camp Humphreys Army Base in South Korea. I was looking forward to meeting soldiers who she had been supporting with Equine Assisted Activities and therapy. Since Sarah completed my CPD course for professional practitioners who wish to partner with horses to support those suffering from PTSD her Equine Assisted Service program has seen an increase in the number of soldiers and veterans requiring the service.
Equine Assisted Services (EAS) could become an official part of a PTS prevention program for soldiers on Camp Humphreys Base and different U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force bases in South Korea.
Leaving Sarah, I went to Icheon to spend time with Professor Park (Sookie) and her amazing family. Her family all work together to support Steven’s Riding Club and Farm and her new Equine Assisted Service center called Collab. Sookie’s Center is integrated into Steven’s Riding Club. In this wonderful atmosphere, I enjoyed teaching, giving a lecture at a half-day conference, as well as judging at a horse show and riding an ex-racehorse. Her brother, who was an Olympic Three-day Event Rider in his youth, runs this riding school where he trains horses and riders, encouraging both big and small to enjoy each other. He wants his riders to stay calm, enjoy the horse and have fun.
Professor Park and I travelled to Jeonju to spend twenty-four hours with John (Tae -Woon Jung), the head of KATH (Korean Association Therapeutic Horsemanship), and their guest Angelica Trabert from Germany. In Jeonju we had the opportunity to meet Equine Studies students who were studying in the local college. Angelica gave a short talk about her life as a Para equestrian, and I participated in the conversation.
Jeonju is an amazing town, with so much history and temples- a town from the Joseon Dynasty. This time I experienced both a Korean banquet and became a little bit pink in the face from drinking too much rice wine. After dinner we visited a special tearoom and finished the night drinking excellent tea.
Returning to Icheon and the riding club, I completed my time there teaching EAS techniques for children with Autism. Three members of this club have now received my CPD certificate, and I was proud to see it up on the wall of certificates.
Finally, during my time with Professor Park, I bought a warmer Goose down coat. I was so grateful to have this coat as the temperature was dropping each day, and I felt cold.
From South Korea I travelled to Japan. Arriving at Haneda airport, Kigkinu Nakata, who is the President of RDA Japan met me. She took me to Yokohama where I had the opportunity to give lessons to children and adults who have severe intellectual disabilities. I also helped with relaxing work for a new horse that had recently arrived at the center. In Yokohama I met EAS practitioners and spent some time talking about the practice sessions.
While in Yokohama I visited an amazing Temple, where I could appreciate not only the ancient buildings, but also the fabulous autumn colors, and especially the red maple trees. I grew up in Britain with a red maple tree in our garden which originally had come from Japan. Now in my senior years, I can see this magnificent tree in its natural habitat. I also visited Chinatown in Yokohama.
From Yokohama I got on a bus and went to Gotemba to stay with Emiko Oto, an experienced therapeutic riding instructor who leads a team of special Olympic riders. At her apartment I enjoyed the pleasure of the hot spring water. Together we visited Okamoto Riding Stables and met with Special Olympic riders and their families, who are all remarkable people.
In Gotemba I met Emiko’s daughter Erika and enjoyed giving her a fun horseback riding lesson on her beautiful show jumper at her stable in Gotemba.
In Gotemba everyone is under the watchful eye of Mount Fuji, a volcano dormant since the 1700’s. Mount Fuji gives you the feeling that ancestors from past dynasties are resting there, waiting to pop out and give advice. In the sunlight it is a magical mountain and is a symbol of Japan.
I have had three weeks of meeting incredible people, drinking a bit too much wine, and eating wonderful food. I feel so blessed that I have been able to have this experience and I know that it is all because of the horse.