Lori Simon’s yearly summer plans are contingent around one day, a singular point around which the entirety of the schedule orients itself – the SPURS Therapeutic Riding Center’s Grand Classic.

The date is so non-negotiable, it’s more of a given than a conversation.

You see, Simon, who was born and raised in the Aberdeen area and raised three children here, gave 23 years of her life to SPURS, most as an instructor. Her horse, Gypsy, was a mainstay (and, truth be told, a bit of a fan favorite) until time exacted its inevitable toll two and a half years ago.

In other words, this is home.

Mark and Lori moved to Overland Park, Kan. three years ago so that Mark could receive a heart transplant. And, while it’s been one medical challenge after another since, Lori’s commitment to the SPURS event has never wavered.

“You know why,” Lori told me, “because you would do the same thing.”

That’s true, of course. I would.

But the answer to that question is hard to put into words. Would I, given the same set of circumstances as Lori, do the same thing? Would I set my summer plans by a date not of my own choosing?

Absolutely.

“The rewards are worth it,” Simon said. “The people, the staff, the people are amazing, the things that the riders accomplish are amazing.”

Perhaps nothing captures the spirit of what last Thursday’s event was all about better than Jessica Rohrbach’s reaction to winning a gold medal in Western Equitation with her horse Greta.

Rohrbach was all smiles – and a few tears of joy – on the medal stand and her sense of pride permeated the rest of the day.

“It felt wonderful,” Rohrbach said. “It takes a lot of practices. I’m very proud of myself.”

Every year I venture out to SPURS for this particular event, I inevitably encounter at least one rider, usually more, who feels exactly this. It’s that sense of accomplishment so deep, it practically radiates from their bones. It is a truly humbling experience.

And it’s precisely what keeps Simon coming back year after year.

For years, SPURS traveled to Huron for a 3-day stay for the state Special Olympics equestrian event, but in recent years has transitioned to holding a one-day event in its own arena. Simon helps load riders onto their mounts and spends time catching up with old friends in between. 

It’s a more intimate feel for the event, which suits Simon just fine.

“We have an amazing bunch of qualified horse people that really are dedicated to what they’re doing,” she said. “It’s nice to see – we had that before, too, but you worry when those people leave, that knowledge is gone. But we always seem to find people who can bring that knowledge.”

Did you catch that? That slip back to the collective “we” was subtle, and if you weren’t listening, you almost missed it. 

The horse turnover has been significant since Simon has been gone, and the roster of riders isn’t always the same. Her horse Gypsy, along with Ace, Walker, Hootie and other faithful companions, are buried in the back pasture, their commemorative stones placed carefully beside the arena.

But here? Lori Simon’s postal address might say elsewhere. But SPURS will always be home.