|
|
Every morning at 6:45, the Camp MacCready bell rings. While most of the campers stay in bed, a few dozen girls (and, in most years, a few boys) drag themselves over to the tack barn, stables and pastures, and work for 45 minutes. Then, after dinner while the rest of camp has free time, they repeat the process.
What is it about horsemasters that campers find so attractive? The job includes feeding and grooming horses, mucking stalls and raking manure off of the ground. Yet, with the toil comes a sense of responsibility, community and pride. “They are always helping each other out,” said riding Director Cat Harrison. “If one finishes before the other, they will assist someone else. It’s a group experience. These girls get up earlier than they would for school, but they always show up at the barn with a smile on their face.”
|
anyway. I just like being around the horses.”..... “It doesn’t bother me (getting up early) because I’m gonna come and see the horses.”..... “There’s definitely a connection. There’s a couple of horses I always look forward to seeing. During free time I sometimes come and visit them; they’re good to talk to.”..... “I think about the horses in the winter. I want to bring them all home!”
EMMA CRUDDER: Horsemaster for four days (1st year at camp). “It’s fun. I like it because there are a lot of nice horses and a lot of nice people.”..... We feed the horses, we groom the horses, muck the stalls and let them out into the ring”..... “The funnest part is grooming and feeding because it makes the horse happy!”..... “Of course, I also love to ride the horses.”
five years, that calculates to 5 years x 7 Weeks x 7 days a week x twice a day OR 490 times going to Horsemasters!): “Yeah, that’s a lot of Horsemasters!”..... It’s a valuable experience because kids learn to get more comfortable around horses.”..... “It’s fun, and you learn a lot. I’ve learned how to take care of horses.”..... “I take a (camp owned) horse home each winter. Some day, I want to own a horse.”..... “The best part is that I get to be around horses and around the riding staff.” (As a 16-year old camper in her final year, does she want to be part of that riding staff?): “I hope so!”
