When Wileen Amy-Scott’s three year old daughter caught the horse bug, she decided she wanted her daughter’s instructor to be a mirror. With that goal she set out to find a Black riding instructor in Harrisburg. A simple task turned out to not be so simple as her search stretched into weeks and then months. During her time of searching, she noticed that not a single owner, instructor, nor student looked like her daughter. Eventually she did find a Black instructor, but in her first immersion of the horse world, she noticed a lack of diversity and representation.
Wileen teamed up with Dr. Robyn Joppy to make a change. They created a weeklong day camp called Saddle Up Harrisburg to give children, particularly children of color, an ‘experience of a lifetime which included not only learning about horses, but also learning how to ride and careers within the equine world.’
Initially we want them to have that spark and interest, but overall our long-term goal is to see the number of riders increase that [come] from minority, marginalized and disenfranchised groups. We’re hoping that number goes up and we’re hoping and working towards that happening.
Wileen, from Fox43 interview
I first learned about Saddle Up Harrisburg when the owner of Harrisburg’s Good Brothas Bookstore and Cafe passed on my name to Wileen. He knew I rode and was into horses so Wileen and I connected. My plan was to volunteer, but I was one of the causalities from catching the plague post-2022 Breyerfest. So I wasn’t able to attend. When the call for volunteers went out this year, I knew I wanted to help!
The host farm for this year was Prairie Fire Farms. It’s a non-profit that specializes in OTTB (Off-The-Track Thoroughbreds), rescuing and re-homing any horse in need, and community support.
I arrived early and since I have horse experience, I helped bring in horses. Around 9 am, the bus of campers arrived.
The goal of the camp was to give a broad overview of horses.
The kids were divided by color groups as they rotated through different activities. This included learning about horse care. Feeding, watering, and stall cleaning were a must.
A veterinarian came and taught the kids about equine bodies.
Outside in the arena, the groups learned ground rules.
This post is long. Part two will be coming up!
Kristian Beverly 