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Friday, April 02 2021 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Caitlin Gooch: Using Horses to Get Kids Reading

By Britney Grover

Every weekend, Caitlin Gooch travels three hours from her home in Chesapeake, Virginia, to Wendell, North Carolina. Why? To be with her horses — and to share her horses with the community. Caitlin, already a busy mom of three girls, founded Saddle Up and Read in 2017 to battle low literacy rates. It began with offering a trip to her father’s horse farm as an incentive for children to check books out from the library. Then, Caitlin began loading her Arabian, named GOAT, and her miniature horse Man Man into her trailer with as many children’s books as she could fit. She drives to different neighborhoods and schools, where children flock to the horses — and each child receives a free book. Now, Caitlin is fundraising to expand the program by building an equestrian literacy center, where youth can be both exposed to horses and encouraged to read.

How did you get involved with horses? Do you ride now?

When I was 3 years old, my dad put me on a horse for the first time. I have been riding ever since. He’s had horses since the ’70s and that love for horses has run on to me. I’m a trail rider. It’s what I started out doing, and it’s a lot of fun to ride trails in the woods. I still ride sometimes, but most of my time is spent teaching horseback riding lessons to kids and running Saddle Up and Read.

What inspired you to find a way to give back?

Having horses inspired me to give back. These creatures are so amazing, how can I not share them? I’m also the kind of person who works to fill a need when I notice it. Before Saddle Up and Read, I was working to get socks and underwear for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Who are you helping?

Lady Iman Photography

Through Saddle Up and Read, I’m encouraging kids to read by using my horses as an incentive. Youth in different communities are able to read to my horses, learn more about horse safety and ask me all the questions they can think of. I aim to reach all kids, but kids from low-income communities are the top priority.

When you started Saddle Up and Read, what was your goal? How is it going?

When I first started, my goal was to get kids to the farm so they could be exposed to horses and encouraged to read. I’m on track! The next step is to create groups of kids who will go through a program to prove this works. I can tell it works when moms text me saying their child hasn’t stopped talking about the horses.

What have you learned through what you’ve been doing?

I’ve learned that many adults have had bad experiences with horses when they were younger. I don’t want those experiences to happen to the children in my community.

What challenges have you faced?

As funny as this sounds, one of the challenges has been proving to schools and other facilities that I’m a real person — I guess it sounds crazy that someone would want to come by with a horse and free books to give away. The second biggest challenge is getting the kids to leave the farm without crying. Sometimes they cry because they don’t want to leave the horses. I have to promise that they’ll come back again.

What does it mean to you to be a Black equestrian role model?

Lady Iman Photography

I say this a lot: Representation matters. Growing up, I can’t recall having books where Black equestrians were featured, or Black or brown dolls that came with horses. Today, I get to be that representation. I get to tell other Black children they can pursue a life with horses if they want to. I hope to publish my own horse girl series, aside from the coloring books I’m already publishing, and even influence toy makers. I’ve already caught the attention of one company who plans to add more diverse toys.

What’s your advice for those who want to do good in their community?

Please see what the needs of your community are first. They’ll tell you what they need. If there are none, go to the next community or find an organization that could use some help.

What are your goals for Saddle Up and Read?

In the future, however long it takes, I don’t want Saddle Up and Read to have the same mission: I want to close the literacy gap. This isn’t something I want to go on forever, it’s something that must be resolved now.

For more information, visit saddleupandread.org

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Tagged under: saddle up and read, Sidelines Superstar

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
Don't get caught without your green on today!🍀🍀
 
In today's featured article, we have Jessica Howington, who is dressed for the occasion in her green shirt! Jessica is the Owner/Rider at CrownView Dressage, a Realtor with Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and a Nurse Practitioner! Jessica has been involved with horses since she was a little girl. Everything from bareback to eventing she tried until she found her love for dressage.

Today, she and her family own CrownView Dressage, a 157-acre training, boarding, and breeding facility in Ocala, Florida. Jessica started training and teaching but felt as if her life was still missing something. Until Jessica focused on horses full-time, she didn’t realize how important the healthcare field was to her life. Jessica missed seeing patients and being in the medical field. Jessica is now back to working again as a nurse practitioner while also focusing on training her five competition horses, including her Grand Prix mare Cavalia. 

Jessica feels lucky 🍀 to have two amazing parents who have supported her in all of her endeavors and instilled the importance of work ethic, morals, dedication, and sacrifice. 

You can read all about Jessica and how she's finding fulfillment in her busy lifestyle in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! Click the link in our bio for more 

✳️Tag us in your “lucky” photos for a chance to be featured on our story! Happy st. Patrick’s day everyone!🍀🍀

📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com 

#stpatricksday #irish #stpattysday #green #ireland #luckoftheirish #stpaddysday #shamrock #happystpatricksday #lucky #saintpatricksday #leprechaun #stpatricks #stpatrick #kissmeimirish #clover #paddysday #march #potofgold #stpattys #love #beer #guinness #shopsmall #handmade #stpatricksdaydecor #stpatricksdayoutfit #fourleafclover #stpatricksdayparade #luckycharms
Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no stranger to balancing a busy schedule. From serving as president of the Pony Club South Region Youth Board to working on her online high school courses and modeling gigs, Devon has nearly every minute of her time planned out. And with her horses right in her backyard in Ball Ground, Georgia, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Devon’s fast-paced lifestyle stems from growing up around her parents’ animal casting business, Animal Casting Atlanta, where they train and provide animals for projects in the film industry. Devon’s parents, Carol and Greg, took her on her first film job at just two weeks old; both parents pushed Devon toward acting when she was younger. While Devon didn’t want to be an actor herself, she did follow in their footsteps with her love of animals, especially horses. 

“My parents’ company has provided animals for ‘The Hunger Games,’ ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Suicide Squad,’ a majority of the Marvel TV shows, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and so many more,” Devon said.

Devon started her equestrian journey when she was 9 years old. Initially, the Tresans bought a flashy gray Welsh pony, I Am Superman, for Devon to take in the hunter ring. However, Superman lived up to his name and proved to be too speedy for the job. 

“He was super cute and just a great little ride,” Devon said, “but he was still a pony! He made me work hard for everything we accomplished together. I was lucky enough to ride with a trainer who did both hunters and eventing, so we were able to switch disciplines pretty easily. Those eventing lessons together kickstarted my love for the sport.”

Read all about Devon and her busy life in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more
@TrDevon Lane Tresan  @Devontresan

📸Photo by Carol Lane Tresan
📸Photo courtesy of Devon Tresan
📸Modeling photo by Sara Hanna, @atlphotos 

#model #fashion #photography #love #style #instagood #photooftheday #beauty #instagram #beautiful #like #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #Sidelinesmagazine
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