Friday, June 25, 2004

Riding center earns state recognition

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By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer

No horsing around, the Sagebrush Equine Training Center has made incredible contributions to improve the lives for Blaine County School students.

In recognition for their incredible contributions to education, Sagebrush Equine Training Center was honored with Leadership in Idaho by Friends of Education Award or L.I.F.E. Award. The award was sponsored by The Idaho Association of School Administrators. The arena received the award Wednesday, June 23, at The Idaho Association of School Administrators School Leaders’ Summit luncheon in Boise.

"This award is given to a group who volunteered significant time, expertise and energy beyond expectation of their position to promote the education and personal growth of the students in the school district," Jim Lewis, Superintendent of the Blaine County School District explained at an earlier Blaine County School Board meeting.

Lewis was on hand to present the award at the ceremony to Wendy Collins who directs the program.

"It was the only award that went to someone not in education," noted Nita Trenkle, student services assistant for the Blaine County School District who also attended the award ceremony.

The Sagebrush Arena, started in 1992 by owner and manager Kristy Pidgeon, works directly with 61 Blaine County School District students. In total, the program works with 128 students a week, none of whom pay to ride at the arena. When they are out of school, many of the students are often hired and work at the arena.

According to Collins, the mission of the program is to embrace the person as a whole. Students work with horses to improve physical, cognitive, emotional, social, behavioral, and spiritual functions.

"The students are recommended by someone in the community, who knows they need something more in their life," explained Trenkle.

Evidence of the incredible therapeutic benefits of the program are expressed through changes in students behavior.

Trenkle has interviewed many students who have participated in the program.

She recalled one young girl who would not speak to men. After working with the horses and staff at the arena, she began conversing with male staff members. She said many of the young children come into the program with the same inhibitions.

"Once they get used to riding the big horse, the children begin to speak and become more socialized," Trenkle explained.

Children also learn respect and responsibility, by working with the horses.

After hearing of the program’s nomination, one troubled teen in the program decided to become involved.

He wrote a letter to the association, which accompanied the nomination by Blake Walsh.

In his letter he wrote, "You can go out there really mad at the world and leave with a smile the size of the Grand Canyon."

According to Trenkle it was a monumental effort considering the boy had little confidence in his writing skills.

He told Trenkle, "If they don’t get the award, tell the committee to expect to get a book from me."

Fortunately, the book will not be necessary.

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