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Article published: Jun 19, 2009 Horses take focus at cotton museum
BISHOPVILLE - Visitors usually come to the South Carolina Cotton Museum to learn about the cotton's history, but once a year, participants in the Hartsville Youth Police Academy come to learn about horses.
The Hartsville campers have been coming to the museum, about 15 miles away, for more than 10 years, but as campers' interests have changed, the museum's executive director, Janson Cox, said he has modified the experience.
"We have found that these young people are really interested in horses," Cox said. "They want to learn about horses. And we get a couple of the Sunset Riders to come in to share their knowledge with them."
The Sunset Riders is a 4-H club of youngsters from 9 to 19 that was established in Darlington County but moved to Lee County a couple of years ago.
Sunset Rider Adam Mathis, 16, who worked with the campers Thursday, said he always starts off with one essential tip.
"The one thing every kid wants to do is to step up behind the horse and pull its tail," Mathis said. "That's a sure-fire way to get kicked."
Virginia Ross, 14, also a Sunset Rider, said horses can be intimidating for young people who have not been around them.
"I always tell them that if you're scared, the horse is going to be scared," Ross said. "Horses can sense how you feel. It is important to be relaxed as you can be."
Thursday was the third time Danielle Dolford, 13, has come to the museum for the field trip. She said it's the only time she gets to ride a horse and "I look forward to this every year."
Hannah Clanton, 11, said she had been on horses before but didn't know a lot about them.
"I like learning about horses," she said. "I didn't know horses like apples."
Campers also learned about the English, western and military riding styles.
Providing basic information about horses, safety and riding is the focus of the camp experience, said Melissa Brundage, leader of the Sunset Riders.
It's also a way for members to share their passion for horses with other young people.
"I like seeing new faces," Mathis said. "I like giving someone that first ride. That's what gives them the bug."
Ross said she never gets tired of talking about horses. "It's a passion for me. They're my life."
The four-week camp, sponsored by the Byerly Foundation, includes numerous field trips and camp experiences for boys and girls, said Kelly Woodham of the Hartsville Police Department.
Thursday's was a girls-only trip to Bishopville. The boys will make their way to the museum later this summer.
Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.