Bridle and Bit Article

Jonah is famous! He couldn't wait to share the paper with his class.


The TRRFCC Horsemanship Character Program in the Cave Creek School District met with Horseshoe Trails Elementary students for the first time the week of September 21st! TRRFCC stands for the six pillars of character – Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Students are learning how to strengthen their character by applying it to horsemanship activities. In August the TRRFCC arena was built right on school property where students come to class as part of their school day.For the first year all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are able to participate in the TRRFCC Program, with plans to expand to all grades when funding will allow it. This first week of classes, students learned the importance of “Safety First, Fun Always!” Each safety rule was paired with one pillar of character to help students make the connection between horses and character. For example, fairness was explained by talking about caring for the equipment and keeping everything put away for the safety of themselves and others showing a picture of a lady about to step on a rake lying on the ground. The goal is for them to become good role models for others by being safe at all times. “Butterscotch”, a favorite stuffed pony at Horseshoe Trails, was used to understand how horses see binocular as well as monocular vision. Students were also able to measure using their hands, and understanding what a hand is in horse terms - he is 9 hands tall! Although horses were not involved the first week of classes, the students went to the arena for a leadership exercise. They were to be the horse lead by a fellow student through an obstacle course. Many students commented how it was hard to TRUST the leader because they were to close their eyes to have a feel of what it is like to be a horse looking for guidance. At the end of the session the students take time to reflect on their activity in a journal entry. This will help them to make the connection between their experiences with the horses and their feelings about the pillar they studied that day. All of the journal pages and worksheets are kept in a 3 ring binder to have a personal journal of their accomplishments for the end of the year.
Principal Janiene Marlow says, “I am excited for students to have this opportunity to work with horses to learn more about themselves. I grew up around horses and know that they made me a more patient learner. Horses have a way of making their handlers better communicators. It is up to the student to communicate what they want the student to know and do. The message must be clear, consistent and gentle. It is no different in the classroom for young learners. There will be a lot of similarities between the classroom of students and the arena full of horses. I could not wait to start this innovative program at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School.”TRRFCC Horsemanship is developed and directed by Jodi Scott of Jodi Scott’s School of Horsemanship with the help of community member Liz Covert whose four boys are in the Cave Creek School District, of which one gets to participate in the program. The team is very lucky to have the addition of Angie Burton. She is a great role model to be the classroom teacher as she has a lot of equine experience as well as working on her masters degree in elementary education. The team has been preparing for this moment for over a year. Much time has been spent writing lesson plans, acquiring non-profit status, and fundraising. This program does not receive any money from the school district. All funding comes from grants, donations, and sponsorships. Jodi maintains an equine facility in Scottsdale just ¼ mile from the school, which is located in Phoenix. Horseshoe Trails is part of the Cave Creek School District. Fundraising has been supported by the neighborhoods and businesses of several cities. This collaboration has made a dream become a reality.TRRFCC Horsemanship benefits the entire student body, as well as serves the community at large by offering rental of facilities for public equine-related events. These events will help create revenue opportunities for HTES as well as promote equine-centric activities that will reflect, develop, and maintain the character and values of the community.On October 24th, the TRRFCC Team is celebrating Character Counts week by organizing a desert cleanup partnering with the City of Scottsdale to show good Citizenship. The students and community members will clean the neighborhood roads as well as the equine desert trails. On November 4th, the 2nd Annual TRRFCC Fundraiser is going to take place at Harold’s Corral and Restaurant in Cave Creek. This will include a BBQ dinner, silent auction and raffle, as well as the raffle drawing of a Dynamite Horseman Supply Barrel Saddle. There will also be fun and games where kids can participate in the stick horse races and roping contests. If you would like more information about the program go to TRRFCChorsemanship.org.The Team is actively looking for sponsors, donations and volunteers for the upcoming activities and support of the program. http://www.bridleandbit.com/artman/publish/article_26088.shtml