Equine camp bonds young rider to horse

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Campers attending the 4-H Horse Camp in Glen Rose gather in the Expo Center to learn about showmanship. Seventy campers each brought their own horse to share the learning. Photo by Mindy Poehl

June 10, 2004 -- Seventy children wearing dusty cowboy boots and jeans gathered in the lunch room at the Expo Center in Glen Rose. Sitting next to their best friends, their parents or their favorite instructor, the kids attending the 4-H Horse Camp chowed down on messy chili cheese dogs and nachos. Ranging from third through twelfth grade, the kids were at camp to learn about horsemanship.

The program, held June 1-3, was conducted through Texas A&M University's Horsemanship Clinic, which is a summer program where students are trained in two and three day camps in a certain equine curriculum.

"Ours is the only overnight camp. The kids go swimming and have dances at night," said Joe D. Geistweidt, Somervell County Extension agent. "They are taught about safety, equipment and training techniques."

Campers are divided into three groups - beginning, intermediate and advanced - depending on the child's level and ability of horsemanship. The Expo Center provides more than enough stalls, because the campers bring their own horses.

"Some parents come and help with the horses," Vikki Hoggett, who started the 4-H horse camp 16 years ago, said. "We have to be careful for the horses' welfare, as well as the kids'."

All of the food is donated and everyone involved is a volunteer.

"We couldn't do it without them," Hoggett said.

Nicole Edwards, from Glen Rose, and Lindsey Dunn, from Cleburne, are two older 4-H girls who graduated and came back to help at the camp. Fred Gillespi, who is a professional at reining, and his wife, Amy, have been helping at the 4-H camp for the past six years.

"I think my kids could get up there and teach the classes themselves," Frank Gillespi said of his advanced level group.

Brandy Kines, right, and Afton Batchelor lead 4-H campers in a discussion on horse theft. The girls took leadership classes at A&M to prepare them to be instructors. Photo by Mindy Poehl

The two main instructors of the camp were Afton Batchelor and Brandy Kines, two former 4-H'ers from Glen Rose. A&M puts on a horsemanship series with five or six teams, Hoggett explained. The girls (Batchelor and Kines) went through training at A&M and through leadership courses, which enable them to teach at the camp. After lecturing and performing demonstrations, the campers then go through what the instructors lectured about.

"We are teaching the basics of horsemanship. It's a great opportunity for kids to get out there and learn about their horses," Batchelor said. "I grew up riding and I jumped at the opportunity to come and teach. I know I've learned a lot."

The kids came from different counties across Texas, including one camper that came from Arkansas.

"I think the horse program is probably one of the best programs kids can get into because the family has to be interested in it. Mom and Dad will learn from the horses, too," Hoggett said. " Kids in the 4-H program are taught about good responsibility. You usually don't see them in trouble later on."