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YMCA program introduces city kids to horsesYMCA program introduces city kids to horses
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
By CICILY CORBETT
The Springfield area has a proud heritage of transportation firsts. The first gasoline-powered vehicle, the Duryea, was built and commercially manufactured here. In 1826, Thomas Blanchard, an engineer at the Armory, built a wood-burning, steam-powered carriage, regarded by some as the first automobile. Indian motocycles were designed and built here starting in 1901; the first motorized fire trucks in 1906. In 1866, Everett Barney made a fortune with his patented ice skate, which clamped onto the sole of the shoe.
But before there were automobiles, motorcycles or clamp-on skates, there were horses and carriages. One of the best riding and driving horses in the world, the Morgan horse, is America's oldest breed, and it originated in West Springfield.
More than 100,000 horses living today can trace their ancestry back to Figure, the original Morgan horse, foaled in 1789, and owned by Justin Morgan. Morgans are strong, athletic, tireless, intelligent, calm and friendly, making them perfect "people horses." Because of their many fine qualities and because of their local connection, Morgans are favored by many in our region.
One of those Morgan horse enthusiasts is Julie Costello, executive director of the Greater Springfield YMCA. Costello grew up on a farm and learned to ride at the age of 8. She's been riding, driving, owning and loving Morgans ever since.
Costello lives in the still relatively rural town of Wilbraham, but when she was promoted to her downtown Springfield position, she began considering the advantages for urban kids of being around horses. She conceived a program of lessons at the Granby location where she has stabled and ridden her own horse.
"A horse can teach you a lot," she says. "You can't be angry around a horse, because the horse can feel it. You have to be calm and patient, and work through whatever you have to do. It's a great learning experience."
With a $1,000 grant from the United Professional Horsemen's Association and donations from other areas in the community, a seven-week program was started this fall. Costello is working hard to find more funding so that the program can continue indefinitely.
The lucky youths chosen are Nathaniel Gonzalez, Jonathan Perez, Linoshka Santiago, Annisha Rivera, Christopher Estrada, and Jezavya Rivera. Kathiria Maisonet is the counselor who assists them. Program Director Nancy Estrada of the North End Youth Center chose the participants for the program.
"I picked kids who were doing well in school," says Estrada. "And who really wanted it - kids who would be committed, who always finish anything they start. And, of course, kids who know how to behave, who would be good representatives of the Y."
The youths travel by van to Jemini Morgans at Fox Meadow Farm in Granby each Wednesday. There they learn to handle, care for, ride and drive the horses. On a recent Wednesday they took turns driving a carriage, walking and trotting on their mounts, wrapping a very patient Morgan's forelegs over and over with protective bandages, and quizzing one another on equestrian lingo.
"Before you enter (the arena), you have to say 'door!'," explains Santiago. "And look both ways, and then go in."
Conscientious shouts of "Door!" could be heard as the teens switched places from wrapping to riding.
Costello provides extra coats, boots, chaps or leggings, handwarmers, riding hats and pizza for the teens.
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