And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Cinnamon NBC Sports Katie Hargitt Why she s a contender: Race tracks are a second home for Katie. After driving midgets for 11 years, she steered her goal towards reporting and is now living her dream as a pit reporter for IndyCar and IndyLights on NBCSN. Treatment: Physical therapy Quarter horse During treatment, Jack is able to maintain upright balance for up to one minute at a time on the horse, a huge improvement from where he started: 5-6 seconds at a time! Number of treatments: 1,700+ Jack Cinnamon Fun fact: Cinnamon is the lead mare in the pasture and, during indoor turnout, loves admiring the beautiful horse looking back at her from arena mirror. Favorite ride: Grampa s white jeep
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Dorian Scott Dixon Why he s a contender: Scott drives the No. 9 car for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. He holds the distinction of being the winningest active Indy Car driver with 38 victories, which ranks him fifth on the all-time list and one shy of tying Al Unser Sr. with 39. Garrett Physical and occupational therapies Garrett has developed the core strength and balance to be able to sit on the floor, unassisted, and play with his toys. Favorite ride: Daddy s red truck Therapy dog Dorian Labrador / Golden Retriever mix Number of treatments: Countless Fun fact: As a facility therapy dog, Dorian is trained to perform 50 different commands to assist individuals with physical needs. His favorite, though, is Tug to help pull off socks!
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team FairyTale Pippa Mann Why she s a contender: Pippa is looking to make her fifth Indy 500 start, this time in the No. 63 Susan G. Komen Honda for Dale Coyne Racing. With a fastest qualifying lap speed of just under 230 mph, she s the second fastest female driver in history at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Catalina Physical and occupational therapies Mom Beatriz will always remember the first time Cata was able to jump, with both feet clearing the ground, all by herself. Favorite ride: Daddy s fun car, a Shelby Cobra FairyTale Welsh pony Number of treatments: 3,700+ Fun fact: Fairy surprised absolutely no one when she won our Halloween contest one year dressed as a princess. She loved wearing that crown and keeps it near her stall in the barn.
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Gideon NBC Sports Neil Alberico Why he s a contender: Neil races with Carlin in the Indy Lights Series. In 2015, he finished second in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires standings with four wins, including a sweep of the season opener at St. Petersburg, Florida. Treatment: Physical therapy Haflinger Mom Brittany loves that Easton has developed the core strength to be able to step off a curb or even jump without holding on to anything. Number of treatments: 6,200+ Easton Favorite ride: A racecar (followed closely by a police car) Gideon Fun fact: Gideon is our longestserving therapy horse and was recently named 2016 Indiana Horse Council Equine-Assisted Programs Committee Horse of the Year. Congratulations buddy!
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Mikey Spencer Pigot Why he s a contender: Spencer is the 2015 Indy Lights Rookie of the Year and 2015 Indy Lights Champion. He is also the first driver to ever win four Mazda development scholarships as he climbed from grassroots racing to the top of the open-wheel ladder. Grover Physical and occupational therapies Grover has improved his balance, strength, and motor planning to be able to walk up a step without holding anyone's hand! Favorite ride: Grampa's red truck Mikey Grade pony Number of treatments: 300+ Fun fact: Mikey is the newest member of the Children's TherAplay family. Just like his teammate Spencer, he was the 2015 rookie of the year
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Moe Stefan Wilson Why he s a contender: Stefan is entering the 100th running of the Indy 500 in the No. 25 Driven2SaveLives KVRT Chevrolet. He s promoting organ, tissue, and eye donation and transplantation in honor of his late brother, Justin Wilson. Physical and occupational therapies Haflinger Gwen When she first began receiving treatment at Children's TherAplay, Gwen used a walker to get around. Now she is able to take 7-10 steps independently! Moe Number of treatments: 2,200+ Fun fact: Moe is the larger of the two Haflingers who live and work at Children s TherAplay. He enjoys playing out in the pasture with his mini me Gideon. Favorite ride: Lightning McQueen
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Nikki Charlie Kimball Why he s a contender: Charlie drives the #83 car for Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing in the Verizon IndyCar Series and is the first driver in history with diabetes to qualify, start, and finish the Indianapolis 500. Parker Treatment: Physical therapy Mom Jennifer is so proud that Parker has gained the strength and confidence to play on any playground he comes across. Favorite ride: Mickey Mouse's red Tune Car Nikki Arabian Number of treatments: 5,500+ Why she s a champion: Nikki is a true testament that even those with special needs have an important purpose and can overcome immense obstacles
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Padre NBC Sports Scott Hargrove Why he s a contender: Scott drives the No. 3 Gap Guard Team Pelfrey Indy Lights Mazda. In 2014, he won the Porsche GT3 championship and, a year later, Scott pulled within 12 points of a second consecutive championship. Treatment: Physical and occupational therapies Quarter horse / Mustang cross Sean has developed the strength and motor planning to go up and down the stairs, all by himself, while alternating steps. Number of treatments: 1,700+ Sean Favorite ride: Mater from Cars Padre Fun fact: Padre is our resident equine comedian. During indoor turnout, he has been known to pick up a muck bucket with his teeth and help clean the arena. It s It sthe thegreatest greatestspectacle spectacleininadaptive adaptivetricycle tricycleracing! racing!get Getyour geared tickets up atatwww.childrenstheraplay.org www.childrenstheraplay.org
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Red NBC Sports Reporter Kevin Lee Why he s a contender: As a playby-play reporter/ announcer/host for IndyCar, NBA, WNBA, and more, Kevin has gotten up close and personal with some of this era s greatest athletes. He ll be putting their tips into practice on our speedway. Treatment: Physical therapy Grade pony Braxton has developed the core and lower extremity strength and endurance to use his reverse walker as his primary mode of locomotion. Number of treatments: 900+ Braxton Favorite ride: Dad s diesel truck Red Fun fact: Having been interviewed by equine ambassador Rocky when he was the new horse in town, Red is no stranger to journalism. He s the perfect pony partner for this team.
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Riley Conor Daly Why he s a contender: Conor, a Noblesville native and second-generation racecar driver, pilots the Jonathan Byrd s Hospitality & Restaurant Group #18 car for Dale Coyne Racing. He made his debut at the Indy 500 in 2014, driving for AJ Foyt Racing. Physical and occupational therapies Quarter horse Nolan Nolan s mom says that one of his greatest gains since starting treatment at Children s TherAplay is improving his run so he can chase after his little sister! Favorite ride: Daddy s pick-up truck Riley Number of treatments: 800+ Fun fact: In 2015, Riley helped teach occupational, physical, and speech therapists about the innovative treatment tool of hippotherapy by participating in an American Hippotherapy Association course.
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Rocky James Hinchcliffe Why he s a contender: James drives the #5 IndyCar for Schmidt Peterson Motorsport and is Mayor of Hinchtown.com. Despite sustaining life-threatening injuries during a 2015 Indy 500 practice run, James is back on the track and in better shape than ever. Lauryn Physical and occupational therapies Lauryn has developed the strength, coordination, and motor planning to dress and undress herself independently, socks included! Favorite ride: Her family s Suburban, Black Beauty Rocky Quarter horse Number of treatments: 5,000+ Fun fact: It turns out James isn t the only mayor on the team. As our official equine ambassador and barn greeter, it could be said that Rocky is the mayor of Children s TherAplay!
And they re off! Introducing #Horsepower500 Team Zippy NBC Sports Santiago Urrutia Why he s a contender: Santiago races on the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team in the Indy Lights Series. In 2015, he won the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and BBS Rookie of the Year honors. Physical and occupational therapies Welsh pony Dylan Dylan has developed the strength, motor planning, and balance to jump and land, with both feet together, all by himself. Favorite ride: Daddy s car Zippy Number of treatments: 2,200+ Fun fact: Zippy is the self-appointed guardian of the horse treats. When anyone comes near the treat bucket in the barn, Zippy sticks his nose through the bars of his stall to investigate.