Press Release

July 10, 2008

GREATER SPRINGFIELD YMCA SADDLES UP FOR NEW EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM

Shelburne, VT — YMCA members in the Greater Springfield area have a new program to consider when signing up for fall courses. Thanks to a partnership between the YMCA, a well known youth-oriented organization and the United Professional Horsemen's Association, Y-RIDE, an equestrian focused program, has been established.

Y-RIDE will take six interested YMCA members, age 10-16, to the local Fox Meadow and Jemini Morgan Farms. The seven week long program will focus on horse care, handling, feeding, and riding. Morgans are renowned for their reliability, loyalty, tirelessness, and versatility making them an excellent choice to l serve as the key breed participating in the program. Youth will be split into groups during lessons to allow for individualized attention from staff members during each phase of the 1.5 hour program.

According to a proposal submitted by the YMCA, studies have shown that many young people who experience poverty or feel disengaged from their community are more likely to fail in school, experiment with illegal substances, join violent gangs and become sexually active.  The Y-RIDE program intends to counteract these self-destructive possibilities by offering a place for at-risk youth to feel capable, confident, and productive though equine interaction. By caring for Morgan horses, participants learn to put another living being's needs before their own.

High participant improvement rates are forecasted by the YMCA. The organization predicts that 100% of participants will increase their knowledge of horses (specifically Morgans, America's first breed) and horseback riding, and 85% will show improved self-control, physical ability, emotional growth, socialization skills, and self-esteem.

Founded in 1909, the American Morgan Horse Association is a non-profit organization serving more than 50,000 Morgan horse owners, breeders, exhibitors, and enthusiasts throughout the United States. AMHA serves as a parent organization to more than 90 recognized Morgan horse clubs and national service organizations.

 For more information on America's original horse breed, contact the American Morgan Horse Association, Inc.©, 122 Bostwick Road, Shelburne, Vermont 05482; (802) 985-4944; www.morganhorse.com