Why horseback riding?
What happens when you offer students with a unique challenge they can take ownership of and feel proud about? When you give them room to make mistakes and learn about accountability? When you give them the opportunity and space to believe in one another, as well as themselves? BridgeUP Giddy UP is more than just an after school horseback riding program for students in Collierville, Tennessee. The impact and benefit it has on the development of participants is expansive.
The equestrian world has historically, and still continues to be, elitist and exclusive. With financial barriers preventing most from entering the sport, it has become insular in nature. Established in 1917, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has been the governing body for most equestrian sports. An Elle Magazine article, titled “Who Gets to be an Equestrian?” follows the experience of Shaquilla Blake, a black equestrian in the sport. “Black riders make up less than 1 percent of the USEF, and a Black equestrian has never competed for the U.S. in the Olympics.” It is evident that there is room for, and a need for, expansion within the community.
“The average USEF member owns four horses, has an annual income of $185,000, and has a net worth of $955,000. The median household income in America is a little over $60,000 (for Black families, it’s $41,511).”
Participants of BridgeUP Giddy UP are mostly black and brown students from the local area. In giving them access to these lessons and community, the program is able to provide children with a unique track to personal development through the medium of horseback riding. It also, in time, hopefully will result in some disruption to the industry itself by adding more diversity, nuance, and texture. They are beginning to change the culture and nature of the sport and the community that surrounds it.
Exposure to horses has been studied for a while now, and has been scientifically proven, in a scope of ways, to be a benefit for human development. Working with horses from a young age helps to sharpen skills and cognitive development. Problem-solving, decision making, and attention to detail all are required within the experience of caring for an animal and becoming athletes.
The BridgeUP Giddy UP program creates an even playing field for the children to discover and learn together. As a new endeavor for all, the program encourages and allows them to rely on each other; they delve into their curiosities and team player skills. In being exposed to barn life and equine care, students are shown how capable and responsible they can be if they put their effort behind something. McKrell and Christain Baier, through their work and teaching, underscore that being an equestrian goes far beyond just the riding itself. As an example, in addition to the traditional equestrian sport disciplines of dressage & show jumping, BridgeUP GiddyUP students are being exposed to the developing discipline of Working equitation which encompasses within its competition judging guidelines not only the performance of horse and rider, but also the handling and care of the horse; the relationship between the rider and the animal. This is central within the sport of equestrianism. It is so important to have the horse's wellbeing at the forefront, which unfortunately is not always prioritized.
When training is built on the natural functioning of both the horse and the rider, it is always possible to do the best for both species. The program not only exposes students to a new sport and hobby, it creates stability and regularity in these kids' lives. As the kids learn to communicate effectively with the horse, they gain a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. This signature HGB program facilitates providing environments where the students are learning to respect boundaries and build healthy relationships while also finding fun and engaging ways to stay active.
Many children find being around horses to be calming and therapeutic. Equine therapy can help children reduce their anxiety and stress levels, and develop coping skills to manage their emotions. Fields such as equine therapy are on the rise and becoming increasingly popular for people of all ages, but also for children with various learning disabilities.
The community that has surrounded and uplifted the BridgeUP Giddy UP program is a true testament to the power of believing in others. We are continuously so proud of, and impressed by, the students and the effect this program has had since its launch just a short time ago in late 2021. We look forward to all there is to come in our partnership with Southern Blues Equestrian Center, SchoolSeed, and the whole Memphis community!