Ride Tall City Recreation Equine Program:
The City of Salmon and WTRRA have collaborated to offer a unique city recreation program, "Ride Tall." This program offers children of Lemhi County an opportunity to 
participate in an equine activity regardless if they have a horse. The city offers four sessions of 4 classes per session. Six children are enrolled in each session and all sessions were full on the first day of registration with others on a waiting list. Judy Barkley, Salmon City Recreation Director stated," The city of Salmon is excited to offer this unique addition to the already busy city recreation programs. A partnership with WTRRA can benefit the community youth."
Volunteers may still be needed for this program. If you are interested please contact Getta Bradley, volunteer coordinator, at 208-756-1962. Volunteers will be needed from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Ride Tall and Smile
Written by Margaret Hevel
From the shadows of swirling thoughts, imagination took flight. Like fireflies in the dark of a summer night, an idea flashed then glowed. Two women, Judy Barkley, director of the Salmon City Recreation Department and Joyce Scott, executive director of the Whitewater Therapeutic Riding and Recreation Association created and illuminated a summer equine program for young people ages seven through thirteen. They named the program, Ride Tall.
Horses have always been an integral part of the Lemhi County culture. Ride Tall promotes safe and fun practice of equine skills for these youthful equestrians. For some, this is their first time on a horse. Others have experienced the joy and excitement of an equine partner but do not have a horse of their own. WTRRA provides the horses and equipment that includes helmets. An amazing team of volunteers assists these students throughout their equine classes.
The two week sessions provide classes twice a week for one and a half hours with a qualified instructor. The minimal charge of ten dollars is paid to the city. Children groom their horse, learn a variety of riding techniques and play games on horseback. Memorable equine experiences are shared with their instructor, volunteers and family. During these weekly lessons, each participant is blessed with smiles, laughter and learning. WTRRA’s upgraded arena provides a safe and pleasant setting for this innovative youth program; the beautiful partnership between Salmon City Recreation and Whitewater Therapeutic Riding and Recreation Association.
There’s an open invitation for young people to join the next class. Saddle up; ride tall and inhale the pure pleasure of horseback riding. Your equine partner is awaiting your arrival.
WE DID IT
by Susan Dudasik YOUTH “RIDE TALL” IN JOINT RIDING PROGRAM
Six youth recently completed the first session of the “Ride Tall” riding program cosponsored by the Salmon City Recreation Program and WTRRA. Using horses donated by Jeff and Katie Cooper the young riders advanced their riding skills in four 1 ½ hour sessions. For the first session the riders were accompanied by a horse escort who lead the horse and a sidewalker. On Thursday, June 26th, the riders demonstrated their new skills by independently riding their horses as they participated in a team relay race and each rider carried an egg on a spoon as they rode around the arena. The final challenge for the riders was to maneuver their horses through an obstacle maze which required them to weave in and out of a series of poles, turn completely around in a tight square, guide their horses through a “z” pattern, stop and ride their horse between two fence panels. After the class, each rider received a blue ribbon for a job well done and a certificate with a photo of themselves and their horse.
To make this program a reality for the youth, over 15 individuals, ranging from two 14 years olds to “senior” guys and gals volunteered their time as horse escorts and sidewalkers. There were three “Ride Tall” sessions scheduled and according to Judy Barkley, the City Recreation Director, spaces filled up quickly. The next session begins July 7th.
RIDING TALL in the first co-sponsored "Ride Tall" program class are: LtoR- Conrad Dougherty on Wiley, Maddie Coles on Fred, Josi Sommers on Sugar, Morgan Warren on Buddy, McClay Sommers on Leah and Rachel Warren on Paige.
Evan and Fred "collect the mail" from volunteer, Carly, during the Ride Tall program
IS IT WORTH YOUR TIME?
By SUSAN DUDASIK
Is volunteering to lead a horse around an arena worth your time? You bet! Just ask those who have been volunteering as horse escorts and sidewalkers for the Ride Tall summer recreation program co-sponsored by the City of Salmon and WTRRA. At last week's class something unbelievably wonderful happened. We had two little boys, Evan and Eli, both about 6 years old and cute as buttons. Each one started the class with many concerns and very unsure of things. On day one, they were sitting on the horses, hanging on to the bareback pads for dear life and insisting the horse escorts and sidewalkers stay right next to them. Shy Evan refused to look at you and wouldn't smile. During the class, all the riders, most of whom were three or four years older then the two boys, went through a short trail type course which required them to ride their horses through some weave poles, turn around in a box, maneuver a Z pattern of poles, stop and count to three, go through a U shaped pole pattern and then through two raised barriers, ride around a barrel and go back through the barriers. On the first day all the riders had horse escorts and sidewalkers.
On day two, the riders were to ride independently with a sidewalker and horse escort within easy reach. The older riders were excited to have the leadropes taken off their horses and to be on their own. But neither younger boy wanted the leadropes removed or their escorts and sidewalkers to leave, but you could see them gaining more confidence and Evan was trying hard to hide his smile.
By day three, the older riders were riding around the arena independently so they had to pass each other and maneuver around the obstacles, volunteers and each other. It looked like chaos but everyone did well. After a while, Evan was game to go without the lead rope on but he still wanted his horse escort and sidewalker right by his side.
Then the riders were going through the trail pattern and when I looked up, there was Eli riding without the leadrope attached, too! Now folks, these are big horses, not small ponies and these two were figuring out how to get their horses, Fred and Buddy, to go where they wanted them to. Of course our great horse escorts and sidewalkers were just a few steps away. And, by now Evan was forgetting to hide his smile.
On day four, everyone rode independently with their horse escorts and sidewalkers at least 10 feet away or standing in the center of the arena. Evan was doing such a great job
with Fred that he had Fred out walking his escort so she came to the center of the arena with the others and everyone was out by themselves. Of course with ten watchful volunteers, help was just a heartbeat away if needed. Toward the end of the class, we did
the trail course again, but all the obstacles were made harder by being made tighter or narrower. The older riders went first and all did an outstanding job. I don't think they even ticked five poles between the four of them. Not bad for youth who have only been on the horses a few times and were riding with halters and rainbow reins.
As the older riders finished the course, they went to the other end of the ring where our two outstanding youth volunteers, Hollis and Pablo, kept them busy doing relay races
and playing "Simon Says." Neither youth had any idea they were going to be called
upon to do this, it was a spur of the moment thing and they did an awesome job.
Finally it was Eli and Evan's turn to do the course. All the adults held their breaths as they went. With lots of verbal coaching and just a little assistance, both boys maneuvered their horses through the entire course, by themselves. Everyone was amazed and you could feel the excitement growing as each rider accomplished another obstacle by themselves. I can't describe the overwhelming feelings of joy, pride and
accomplishment that were buzzing around the arena at that moment. But sadly, the class had to come to an end and as each rider dismounted, they took some extra time to thank their horses. There were a few small tears, hugs and final pats. But the scene I will
always carry of that class was when Evan went to leave, he reached out and touched his horse escort's hand and boldly smiled up at her. Then as he walked away, he let his hand linger a bit and slid it from hers as he left. 
So, is it worth your time to lead a horse around an arena for a couple of hours? Just ask those who have been to any of the previous Ride Tall classes. I notice they keep coming back and we are very thankful that they do. We have a wide variety of volunteers in the Ride Tall program, two 14 year-olds, one visiting collage student from back East, several retired women, some who don't know much about horses, others who are longtime horsewomen and of course our two awesome gentleman who have been great inspiration for the boys in the program.
As for the final out come, the class may be over, but it wouldn't end there. There are now over a dozen adults who have a relationship with six youngsters. We will see them in town, at the store or in other places and will have a good opportunity to simply say "Hi, how are you doing?" And those six riders will know someone outside of their family cares about them. They have touched our lives and we have become aware of them as not just some kid, but "our kids."
Yes, it is worth the time.
For information about WTRRA, please contact Joyce Scott at 208-634-7260, e-mail to info@whitewatertherapeutic.com Donations may be sent to PO Box 1443, Salmon, Idaho
