OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company was buzzing with activity, but there wasn’t a thoroughbred auction taking place.
A sea of fourth graders and their parents were on the grounds to learn about horses and the equine industry as part of the Ocala Horse Alliance’s and Marion County Public Schools’ Black Stallion Reading Program promoting literacy.
“Our goal has been to inspire children to read, and to learn about the horses a little bit. Many children in Marion County don’t get to touch a horse, so we wanted to change that through the reading program and the Ocala Horse Alliance,” said Lynn Boutte, Ocala Horse Alliance board member and thoroughbred trainer. “We’re able to do that through our Black Stallion project.”
As Winston Churchill so aptly stated, “There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.”
“We had a couple of kids who came in here with chips on their shoulder,” said Boutte. “And by the time they left, they were smiling. If that doesn’t do your heart good. And some parents, they weren’t really happy to be here, and then they touched a horse.”
The Ocala Horse Alliance had racing silks sent to the event by thoroughbred trainers Kathleen O’Connell and Cecily Evans. Former jockeys Jacinto Vasquez, Mary Russ, Abby Fuller, and Donna Burnham were on hand to share their expertise with the students as they learned about the equine industry and Marion County’s long, rich equine history.
Lori Conway, of Conway Arabians, brought her stallion Coltrane, and there were veterinary, farrier, anatomy, and measuring stations at the event.
“So many different breeds, so many different disciplines, everyone’s here, and it’s a real industry function,” said Ellie Trueman, Ocala Horse Alliance president. “A lot of people came together for literacy to teach people about horses. About 90% of the people here have never touched a horse ever.”
Students had an opportunity to learn about the different vocations available in the equine industry, and the event itself gave them hands-on opportunities to not only touch a horse, but to put on jockey silks and goggles, go on a horse van, break from the starting gate, and become fully immersed in a new experience that will leave a lasting impression.
“Literacy, the Ocala Horse Alliance and the Black Stallion Reading Project, Marion County Public Schools, that is the Triple Crown for our school system,” said Nancy Thrower, Marion County Public School board member. “We’re so grateful for this partnership and bringing the exposure to horses that so many of our kids have never had the opportunity to interact with them, which seems strange because we’re the Horse Capital of the World.”
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