PERSONA Horses Trump a Learning Disability Ryan Pullara isn’t just following in his dad’s footsteps when it comes to working with horses; he’s showing all those around him how to become a leader even with a learning disability. Summer 2008

CHARLEEN EARLEY

Diagnosed with dyslexia in the second grade, Pullara, now an eighth grader at Palma High School in Salinas, an all-boy Christian school, had his share of learning disabilities. Yet the moment his grandfather bought his family an Arabian horse, everything changed.

Three horses later, and somewhere between learning to take care of and show Arabians at competitions, not to mention place nationally, Pullara’s self-confidence blossomed.

“It’s been great for him,” said mom Genevieve Pullara. “The horses were for his self-esteem more than anything else. It’s helped him out as a person. It’s even helped him get into other sports. It’s always been a positive thing for him.”

His difficulty with reading and spelling at an early age was soon overshadowed by Candelariavf, Vinnie, and Conquistadorvf, his three Arabians.

“I struggled with it (dyslexia) at school,” said Pullara. “But I believe in pushing yourself and don’t give up. If you keep pushing, it’ll eventually pay off.”

Pay off, it did for Pullara, who, to date has garnered three Canadian National titles in Western Pleasure, one second place, and two U.S. National titles in Country Pleasure Driving. He’s also won a reserve U.S. National Championship in Western Pleasure.

It’s not a prejudice, more like a preference when it comes to his horse-of-choice. It’s Arabians, 16.1 hands-down.

“I like their personality and how different they are from all the others,” he said. “They’re a little calmer and a little prettier.”

Born and raised in Carmel with his younger siblings Austin and Lauren, whom he says are “not into horses,” Pullara spends as much time with
his hoofed-buddies, of course, after the homework is done.

“I’m with them after school and on the weekends,” he said. When he grows up, he’ll carve out a living with his best friends. “I want to ride horses for a living and train Arabian horses!” said Pullara.

But life isn’t all about horsing-around for Pullara, who enjoys other extra curricular activities. He plays football (defensive tackle and center), weight training, and baseball playing first base, and left and right field.

His idol though, is his trainer Jim Lowe, owner of Lowe Show Horse Centre in Somis, California, near Los Angeles.

“He’s won so much and he’s such a good trainer,” said Pullara. “He teaches me how to ride and he trains the horses.”

Pullara’s dad, Chris, who got his first horse at age four and said the entire family travels with his son to all his competitions. He’s happy it’s taken his son to new personal levels.

“It’s been phenomenal,” said Chris. “He spends all his time with the horses and it’s taught him a lot of discipline. He’s a hard-working son-of-a-gun! It gives him something to do and the family to watch.”

While the family’s farm also includes three dogs, one cat and a tortoise, Pullara said some of his classmates are afraid of his thousand-pound pets, and he gives advice on how to calm the nerves.

“If you’re afraid of them, they’ll be afraid of you. They can sense it,” said Pullara, who’s endured his share of falling off. “If I’m nervous, they’ll be nervous. So just be calm and don’t freak out. They’re not trying to hurt you.”

In addition to horses and sports, Pullara also enjoys dirt bike riding, going to the movies and just plain old hanging out with his friends, but when it comes to horses, there’s no other thrill quite like it.

“The adrenaline and the fact that anything can happen,” he said. “You have to think before the horse thinks. It’s a lot of fun, I love it!” °

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