National

Local Stable and Urban Renewal Empowering Children Through Equestrian Sport

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Dozens of children from the Freetown area spent Friday morning grooming, petting, and riding horses during a summer camp field trip at Mariposa Stables.

Published

5 months ago

July 25, 2025

Delvardo Emmanuel

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – From brushing coats to balancing in the saddle, dozens of kids are learning the ropes, and loving every moment of it.

The event, now in its third cohort, is hosted by the governing body for Equestrian sport in the country, Equestrian Bahamas, and it’s called the “Touch a Horse, Touch a Life” Outreach Programme.

President of Equestrian Bahamas, Catherine Ramsey-Pierre, says the goal is to introduce young people to the power of nature, animals, and sport.

The initiative is supported by Urban Renewal Freetown, who brought 43 children from their summer program to the stables.

Inspector Deantia Coakley, who heads the division, says it’s one of many ways they are working to keep young people engaged and positively influenced throughout the summer break.

“We have partnership with the Traffic Division where they teach them pedestrian crossing [and] road safety. [Then] we have…[a] partnership with [the] Ministry of Health…which assists us with exercise, and…also [a] partnership with the SCAN and Adolescent Health Center who speaks about good touch, bad touch…,” she said.

Twelve-year-old Steven Barrett shares his exciting experience at the farm:

“ …[It] was a fun experience ’cause we learned how to groom horses. We learned which each tool does, and then we got to ride [sic],” he said.

For Erica Adderley, Vice President of Equestrian Bahamas and owner of Mariposa Stables, it’s about more than just riding, she says the connection between child and horse can have a deep, lasting impact.

“The many benefits of being with them is…just that presence of being with an animal, an animal that is much bigger than us, much stronger than us, but is willing to work with us and partner up with us as a human…,” she said.

For 16-year-old Ayesha Lubin, and many others in the camp, this was also a first time experience.

She shares what it was like to ride the horse she was paired with:

“It was really scary at first, but then once you get it, it’s really fun,” she said.