By Larissa Kusel, PR Volunteer, Girl Scouts of Colorado
More than 200 Junior Girl Scouts rubbed shoulders with Arabians, Saddlebreds and Morgans at the 33 rd Annual Colorado Classic Horse Show on April 25 at the National Western Events Center in Denver. Girl Scouts, ages 10-12, from along the Front Range were immersed into the equestrian lifestyle and traditions that have been at the foundation of the horse show industry for centuries. The girls were introduced by industry professionals to proper cantering and posting techniques, English and Western riding attire, and techniques for safely grooming and caring for horses.
"My family rides Western so I'm used to how big horses are and being around them, but this horse show has been really fun because we are getting to watch all of the different horse breeds and see how their riders ride each horse differently," said Abby Kamby, 8, from Troop 3057 in Littleton. "I also really like the Western rider outfits because they are shiny and sparkly."
Not only did the professional riders in the horse show light up the arena with their sparkly outfits, but the Girl Scouts carried sparkles in their eyes throughout the event as many of the girls came face-to-face with a horse for the first time, watched yellow glowing 2,200 degree heated metal shaped into a horseshoe and rode stick horses while they tried their hand at a game of polo. After attending a professionally judged horse show, the Girl Scouts rotated through 12 educational, hands-on horse stations that included topics such as horse behavior, horse health, riding equipment and clothing, grooming, safety, horseshoeing, famous horse stories, adopting wild mustangs, equine careers, playing polo and a barn tour.
"I was a little bit shy at first when brushing the horses, but it has been a lot of fun getting so close to the horses," said Madison Lyman, 6, from Troop 3642 in Loveland. Madison showed no fear as she went eye to eye with Gator, a large black Morgan horse, as she brushed the horse on the nose and head.
"I got to feed a real horse for the first time and it was so cool," said Ellie Votodian, 10, from Troop 552 in Aurora. "It was a little scary, but really fun. I learned that you have to keep your hand really flat when feeding a horse so they don't think your finger is a carrot." Ellie had the opportunity to feed a large dark brown Saddlebred horse named Ariel in the horse behavior and petting station that was organized by Ariel's trainer, Stacey Kipper.
"I learned that when you go riding you have to wear boots with hard toes and heels so that your foot won't slip through the stirrup on the saddle," said Allison Nemecek, 10, from Troop 88 in Centennial. "Horses are majestic when they run and they look like birds flying over the land."
In addition to accumulating dozens of first experiences and meeting horse industry professionals one on one, the girls who attended this year's Colorado Classic Horse Show also received the Girl Scout Horse Fan Badge and were entered into a drawing to receive free riding lessons.
"I've never ridden a horse before and I really want to ride one really bad," said Gabriella Martin, 10, from Troop 552 in Aurora. "I'm excited about the horse stations because we get to touch the horses and clean them. I also hope I win the riding lessons because that would be so much fun."
"This is really cool to see the horses up close and to pet them. I'm so excited to earn my Horse Fan Badge," said Andrea Campbell, 11, from Troop 2639 in Centennial. During the event, Andrea also learned about the angle of the teeth of older horses as horse trainer Jan Chavez demonstrated for her troop on a grade Appaloosa pony named Patches.
The Colorado Classic Horse Show is yet another great example of Girl Scout volunteers and the community coming together to help girls throughout the Front Range gain courage, confidence and character alongside a group of girls (and horses) who will be their friends for life. For more information on Girl Scouts of Colorado, call 303-778-8774 (1-866-827-7033, toll free) or visit www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org.