Yankees HOPE Week: Flying Manes

The Yankees kicked off hope week yesterday with a visit to the Flying Manes, a nonprofit organization that helps children with physical and emotional disabilities by offering therapeutic horse riding instruction. It was started by Stefanie Dwyer and her husband Bricklin about four years ago.

Mark Teixeira, Eric Chavez, Jayson Nix, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, and Yankees general partner Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindell all attended the event.

The Yankees surprised the children by bringing the horses down to an enclosed area. The players interacted with them and shared many laughs throughout the day.

Mark Teixeira spent time with 9 year old Owen Atkins, who is suffering from cerebral palsy. Teixeira guided Atkins horse while he sat on the saddle.

It's great. This is wonderful. Owen in a huge Yankees fan," Dan said. "You just cannot put this into words. He's extremely excited. We watch a lot of Yankee games on TV. This is something that he will have for his whole life and it is really inspiring."

Mark Teixeira with Owen Atkins. (New York Daily News)

Mark Teixeira played a game with Owen. Teixeira held a ball and and Owen took his best swing and hit it.

"We really enjoy being with our fans and being with the community," Teixeira said. "Anytime you can put a smile on a kids face, it makes it all worth it."


You can read more about the Flying Manes by Clicking Here.


The Yankees HOPE Week will continue all week long.