Skylar Payton's laugh is contagious. It's the carefree laugh that most 6-year-olds have.
But Skylar, the daughter of Tony and Samantha Payton, has more challenges than most 6-year-olds.
Born two months early and weighing just 2.5 pounds, Skylar was born with Cerebral palsy.
The disease, among other things, has limited Skylar's motor skills.
But through Tammy And Larry Stackhouse's therapeutic horseback riding facility, The Magical Meadows, Skylar is pushing past those limits.
When she first started riding, Tammy Stackhouse said Skylar just laid on her horse, Magic.
It's a different story today as Skylar showed off her skills Tuesday afternoon despite less than ideal conditions.
As the wind whipped across The Magical Meadows, located on CR 375E, and rain spit from the sky, Skylar showed confidence and remarkable ability.
As Stackhouse rode with Skylar, the girl who couldn't even sit up on a horse, held her head high as she gave direction to Magic.
"That's why I do what I do," said Stackhouse of Skylar's progress.
Stackhouse said some of her teenage riders have gotten to the point now where they can even ride a bike on their own.
Skylar has shown even more physical benefits from her work at The Magical Meadows. She no longer has a feeding tube now.
Having a strong, loud voice was another thing that Skylar has worked on. With CP, Skylar previously had trouble projecting her voice. Now she can get just as loud as any other 6-year-old.
Stackhouse is now working with Skylar to help develop her left side.
After she rode Magic, Skylar asked to feed the horse. Skylar worked to pet Magic with her left hand.
Something as simple as that seemed a pipe dream a while ago.
Now Stackhouse expects to see Skylar use a walker as she gets older to get where she wants.
Tony said when he first heard of The Magical Meadows he just thought his daughter would be put on a pony.
"Dad was a little more scared than mom was," said Tony.
But now Tony can see what a difference The Magical Meadows has made in his daughter's life.
"Even just her being able to sit up and eat," said Tony. "She has more stamina and strength. It's amazing."
Such progress takes the hard work of the Stackhouses, the trust of parents like the Paytons and the will and determination of riders like Skylar.
But it also takes a lot of help.
Helping guide Magic during Skylar's ride were part-time instructor Brittany Bollman and volunteer Olivia Koorey.
At a recent banquet for The Magical Meadows, Skylar was named "Rider of the Year" while Koorey was named "Volunteer of the Year."
Koorey is the daughter of Konda and Bryan Koorey.
Konda said after taking Olivia to The Magical Meadows, and seeing the passion that Tammy and her husband Larry have for the riders, she knew it would be a place her daughter could thrive.
The volunteers get as much out of the program as the riders do.
Konda said that Olivia will beg her to drop her off at The Magical Meadows even when the weather is awful.
Olivia said she enjoys every part of volunteering at the facility and has shown up every Thursday to help for three years.
The Magical Meadows currently serves at the will of the weather.
There are several fundraising events on the horizon to raise money to build an indoor facility on the 33-acre property.
Stackhouse said she hopes to raise $20,000 through fundraisers to help build the facility. She's also sought out in kind donations for building materials and labor.
The need for such a facility has become greater.
After humble beginnings in 2007 with one horse and one rider, last year saw 61 riders and 24 horses at The Magical Meadows.
Programs at The Magical Meadows are catered toward the rider and their abilities.
Stackhouse emphasized that when developing programs, the riders abilities are focused on rather than their disabilities.
Therapeutic horseback riding has been shown to help develop skills in those with physical, mental and emotional challenges.
Stackhouse and her 125 volunteers don't just use the time with riders to let them sit on a horse for an hour.
Important life skills are also a part of the program.
And according to Stackhouse, the ability for the riders to do something other people do is invaluable for the parents of the riders.
"Our parents are very excited to have their kids doing normal things," said Stackhouse. "They want their kids to go out there and get dirty."
There is real magic at The Magical Meadows. Unlike the sort of manufactured magic you can find at theme parks, the connection between the Stackhouses, riders, volunteers and parents is palpable.
A family atmosphere is felt at The Magical Meadows. And along with the joys seen with the development of Skylar, there is also pain.
One of The Magical Meadows riders, Naaman Vanmeter, 38, who also battled CP, passed away in February.
Stackhouse said it reminded her how much her riders have to deal with when they aren't at her facility.
That doesn't hinder the Stackhouses compassion though. They don't have a child with special needs. Or even a special needs child in their family.
But the Stackhouses have opened their home to people with autism, Cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, the blind and emotionally handicapped and shared their love of horses.
Six-week sessions at Magical Meadows begin April 12 and run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be a new rider registration event March 28 where parents and riders can find out more about the programs offered and gauge their abilities.
A volunteer training session will be April 16.
For more information concerning riders, volunteers or to help with fundraising, call 574-265-3085.
Stackhouse was named Woman of the Year by the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce. She said she was grateful for the honor and thanked all of the award's sponsors for recognizing The Magical Meadows.
The Magical Meadows also has a website, www.themagicalmeadows.org
