It’s not often a 10-year-old girl sets a four-year goal then achieves it, but Claire Bessler did just that. After spending consecutive summers in the Camp Cedarledge horse program, Bessler, a Girl Scout Cadette, has benefitted greatly from its lessons.
She said the program, located in Pevely, Missouri, about 45 minutes southwest of St. Louis, has taught her more responsibility and to think ahead.
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“They helped us make new friends and taught us a lot about horses; how they walk and how they do different things. I have been able to take care of horses better,” said Bessler. “I wanted to interact with horses and learn more about them.”
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She rode her first horse when she was 9 during a family trip to Lake City, Colorado. “I remember my horse’s name; it was April. I just thought they were really interesting animals.”
“She told us she wanted to go all the way through the Girl Scout horse program when she was 10,” said her mother, Gail Bessler.
While at Cedarledge, she remembers riding Elvis, General, an Appaloosa, and Kentucky. Elvis and Kentucky are Grade horses, or ones descended from multiple breeds.
“My favorite part of horse camp is learning about the horses and their body parts. We got to feed and groom them and I liked sleeping up at the barn,” said Claire. “That was fun.”
“I have seen her reach out to girls from other places that she would not know or meet if she had not been in the program,” said Gail. “They talk during the off-season and plan ahead to get in the same session the next summer. The program gives Claire more confidence because it’s something that gives her the knowledge and ability that she can take care of these horses and make friends.
“The thing that impressed me the most was the horse program gave her a long-term goal,” added Gail. “She wants to be a wrangler at the equestrian center when she is in high school.”
There’s another Bessler benefit as well.
“It also sparked her younger sister, Anna’s, interest in the program. She’s 10 now. Anna has seen how much Claire has enjoyed it,” Gail said.
The Equestrian Center at Camp Cedarledge provides spring and fall equestrian activities to troops camping, as well as a five-tiered progressive summer resident camp equestrian program. Built in 1996, it consists of stables for up to 35 horses, three grazing pastures and a covered riding arena. The Equestrian Center sits atop a beautiful hill, providing fantastic views of the surrounding area and pleasant breezes on warm summer days. Click here for more information or to get your daughter involved.