When 10-year-old Raegan Hornung enters the arena with her horse Lars, she and her equine partner form a team built on confidence and connection. At the 2025 Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Equestrian Tournament, Raegan and Lars competed together for the first time, earning first place in trails, first in dressage, and second in equitation.
Raegan lives in South Carolina and was born with congenital nystagmus, making her legally blind, as well as auditory neuropathy that causes significant hearing loss. She uses hearing aids and communicates through sign language and lip reading. Despite these challenges, Raegan has maintained a strong sense of curiosity and confidence.
“She’s always loved horses,” said her mother, Eryn Hornung. “I was hesitant about her getting on one because of her vision and hearing, but she just kept asking. When we found RideAbility Therapeutic Riding Center and met her instructor, Wendy Schonfeld, it finally felt like the right place for her.”
Raegan began riding lessons a year ago. Her instructor Wendy Schonfeld described her as “one of the strongest-minded, most eager-to-learn kids I’ve ever met. As soon as she learns something, she’s ready for the next challenge.”
About a month after Raegan started riding at RideAbility Therapeutic Riding Center, Lars joined the program. He had lost vision in one eye and had it removed but did not let this affect his participation. According to Raegan: “He’s very sweet. He listens to me very well and does what I tell him to do.”
Their connection developed quickly. Eryn Hornung observed: “Because she can’t rely on her sight or hearing, her sense of feel is heightened. She can feel the rhythm of the horse in a way that’s really special.”
“I’ve taught students with visual and hearing impairments,” said Wendy Schonfeld. “But never someone with both. It was a learning curve for me too, and incredible to watch her figure it all out. She refuses to let her disabilities define her. She holds herself to an even higher standard because of them.”
Raegan joined the Special Olympics Mecklenburg County equestrian team when a spot became available. For Raegan, competing was about more than medals—it was about being recognized for talent and drive.
“Special Olympics gives her the platform to show what she can do,” said Wendy Schonfeld. “She gets to prove to herself and everyone else that she belongs here not because we’re making space for her, but because she’s earned it.”
Before one event at SONC’s tournament, Raegan learned that her dressage course had changed completely just hours before competition.
“I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? That’ll take me months!” she laughed. “But it was actually pretty easy. I learned it fast, and Lars listened.”
Wendy Schonfeld commented: “She just rolls with it. She’s tough on herself because she expects excellence. She’s a competitor.”
Raegan now aims to achieve new goals such as jumping with Lars—an activity they have recently begun together.
“He didn’t even know how to jump,” said Raegan proudly.”So I taught him.”
An adaptive microphone system has recently enabled instructor Wendy Schonfeld to speak directly to Raegan during training sessions.
“The first time it worked, we all cried,” said Wendy Schonfeld.”Her mom said,’She’s having a neurotypical lesson right now.’ It opened a whole new world for her.Our goal next year is for her to compete completely independently.”
Eryn Hornung added: “Special Olympics has given her a place to shine.It’s where she can be recognized for her hard work and talent—not her limitations.”
When asked how she would describe herself,Raeagn replied without hesitation:“Resilient.Brave.Persistent.”
With support from family,instructors,and programs like those offered by Special Olympics North Carolina,Raegan continues setting new goals alongside Lars.
