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When
Betsy Green went to see her local chiropractor, Dr. Theresa Gershner,
neither one of them were aware of what they
 would
be starting. Betsy is involved in the Regional Girl Scout Council and
Dr. Gershner is a leader in the program. They discussed day camp
options for the girls during the coming summer months.
They also, discussed what badges are the
most difficult for the girls to earn. One of them is a horse badge.
Betsy's comment, "I wish we knew someone with a horse ranch."
Dr. Gershners' reply, "I do!" Her fellow
chiropractor, Dr. Ted Wenham of Columbia Stallion Station. As a
Discovery Farm with AHA, Columbia Stallion Station hosts many visitors
new to Arabian horses. The door is always open and the coffee is
always on, when it comes to talking about Arabian horses!
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From there to 57 Girl Scouts along with a
team of leaders and BBQ chefs arriving at Columbia Stallion Station
on a sunny Saturday was not a big
leap. The first arrivals began at about 8:30am and by 9:00 there
were 57 girl scouts singing songs.
They came from all over the Region: Walla Walla, Prosser, Sunnyside,
Benton City, Tri-Cities and some girls from Pendleton, Oregon. A
very few have a horse, or a relative with a horse, but most had
never been around horses, and in some cases, had never even seen one
up close.
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The girls have a list of things they must
accomplish to receive a merit badge for horses. 
There are different levels corresponding to their ages. We built
the day based on the list, what was safe and practical with so many
girls at one time. First they were introduced to horses.
Using one of the Quarter horse mares and one of the Arabians,
the girls were instructed on basic conformation and why different
horses look different for different jobs. Then adding half-Arabian/NSH/pinto
and another Arabian, each of the girls was instructed on and
participated in grooming one of the horses.
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Each girl participating in the day's event
received
 a
silver horse charm from their event
director as well as many
handouts sent to us by AHA, including a
brochure for the youth.
This looks to be a semi-annual event at Columbia Stallion Station.
We look forward to introducing more young people to the wonderful
world of Arabian horses!
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Return to 2004 Barn
Hop Photos |
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