By Robert Mackenzie

Published Aug. 17 2017

Haliburton’s Walkabout Farm Therapeutic Riding Academy is the recipient of the $10000 prize in Tangerine bank’s Tangerine 20 contest.

The winners of the contest which aimed to reward organizations across the country that make a positive difference in their community were announced Aug. 9.
Jennifer Semach owner and operator of Walkabout Farm said she was shocked when she found out she won the prize.
The contest was based on voting from the public and Semach wanted to thank the community for their effort despite Haliburton being one of the smaller towns represented in the competition.

“Being from a small town you’re able to make connections with people more so than you can in a large urban centre” she said. “Through their support and sharing with their friends family and people not even from our community we were able to win this prize.”

Walkabout Farm is a therapeutic horseback riding academy that offers programs work placements and volunteer opportunities in order to provide physical emotional social and cognitive support to people with various challenges and disabilities.

With the $10000 prize Walkabout Farm will now be able to purchase a farm vehicle that will allow those with limited mobility access to all of the farm and its benefits including the therapeutic horses.
Semach is now working with Harper Powersports to try to find a vehicle in the community that will fit her price range and needs. At the same time Semach is continuing her search for a new property for the academy and is raising funds for the cause through Walkabout Farm’s GoFundMe.
The 20 finalists for the Tangerine 20 contest were announced July 6 with voting taking place until July 26. Walkabout farm was one of five winners of prizes ranging from $20000 to $2000. In the end nearly 15000 votes were cast in the contest.