THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 17, 1995 TAG: 9505160121
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 142 lines
CARRSVILLE
AUDREY BURGWIN HAS AN unusual proposal for horse owners in Carrsville and Windsor: Donate a horse.
Burgwin isn't talking about giving horses away. She simply wants to borrow them for a few hours each week.
Between her and the horses, Burgwin - leader of the new Windsor 4-H Horse and Pony Club - believes she can help build a better community.
``This thing is bigger than riding horses,'' Burgwin said, standing in her kitchen on a recent rainy day. ``I'm hoping these kids will become better people for this experience. I want them to develop a sense of responsibility and commitment to their community.''
Learning to ride, train, groom, feed and care for horses is a great way to build responsibility in children, Burgwin said. Youngsters easily relate to the animals, and kids and horses become fast friends.
But only three of the seven 4-H members have their own horses, Burgwin said. Half of the more than 15 interested youngsters who appeared at the organization's first meeting didn't return because there were so few horses to ride.
The Windsor 4-H Horse and Pony Club got its start in January, six months after the Burgwins moved from the Carrollton area - in Isle of Wight County's northeast corner, east of Smithfield - into the long, gray ranch home flanked by a small horse pasture outside the Carrsville area, in the county's southern tip just south of Windsor. During the year the family lived in Carrollton, Burgwin drove her daughter to Surry for monthly 4-H horse club business meetings and activities.
``Getting her to the business meetings was a hassle,'' said Burgwin, a mother of five and a former 4-H'er herself. ``It just wasn't practical once we moved. There wasn't another active club out here.
``The only way to get one was to start it ourselves.''
So that's what she did.
Burgwin contacted county extension agent Bob Goerger, who was able to provide organizational materials for a 4-H horse and pony club. She distributed fliers throughout Isle of Wight - and she made it clear, because she felt it was important, that a youngster didn't have to have a horse to participate.
``Certainly it's more fun if they have their own horse,'' she said. ``But I'm trying to make kids realize they can participate in a horse club without owning a horse.''
Not all of the club's activities require a horse, and youngsters with horses willingly share their animals with club members who need them. Burgwin has one, a paint named Buddy. Still, once the club got started, Burgwin realized she did need more horses. She says she'd like all of the youngsters to have a horse to call their own, even if it is for just a short while each week.
``We would welcome the donated use of any horse. A lot of people around here have horses that belong to their kids away at college.''
Anyone who volunteers a horse for use by the Windsor 4-H club can expect its rider to keep the horse exercised, groomed and properly clipped, Burgwin said. Every youngster in the club works under an adult's supervision.
``And the horses are happier when they are being used,'' said Joni Necessary, the club's 14-year-old president.
Anyone willing to loan horses to the club may call Burgwin at 569-0693.
Two area residents have heard Burgwin's call - and answered it.
Will and Katherine Brown, owners of the Collosse Pointe Equestrian Center in Carrsville, have donated the use of four of their eight horses to Burgwin's 4-H club. Katherine Brown also has volunteered her services and given the club full use of her stables, which include an arena, 10-stall barn and tack room. And Brown has volunteered her facilities for a horse show as well.
``People need to volunteer their time for kids,'' Brown said. ``4-H is a good organization, and it is reasonable and inexpensive for kids to belong to.''
Burgwin and two parent volunteers, Benny and Sheila Necessary, do more than teach the 4-H club members about riding and caring for horses. The club is also assuming an active community role. For example, the club has adopted a 2-mile stretch of highway outside Windsor to keep litter-free. And last month, several 4-H members struggled out of bed on a cold, rainy Saturday to volunteer at a benefit trail ride in Windsor.
``We really needed the older kids for this, and they came out willingly,'' Benny Necessary said. ``I feel like all these girls have developed a stronger sense of responsibility in 4-H.''
The increased work and responsibility don't mask the pure fun of 4-H, however.
``I like horses a lot, and they seem to like me,'' said Lisa Necessary, 9. ``And I like 4-H because I get to see new friends and learn more about horses at the same time.''
Burgwin's daughter, Angel Shockley, 12, used to travel 20 miles to a 4-H horse club in Surry County. She has found big differences between the two clubs.
``We focus less on competition,'' Angel said. ``Our primary goal is to learn how to properly care for horses and to have fun in the process. I would rather ride in a pasture than a show because I don't have to worry about other people watching or judging me.''
Burgwin sees more than fields of horses lazily nibbling grass when she looks at the pastures lining the rural roads near her home.
She sees an opportunity for neighbors in her small, close-knit community to help mold the area's children into well-rounded, productive citizens.
All she really needs are a few more good horses. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
[color cover photo by John H. Sheally II]
Amy Johnson prepares to ride Souvenir Girl.
Audrey Burgwin, who started the horse and pony club, thinks that the
experience will help children develop a sense of responsibility and
commitment to their community.
Lisa Necessary, foreground, and Kimberly Gray saddle up Buddy. ``I
like horses a lot, and they seem to like me,'' said 9-year-old
Lisa.
Benny Necessary holds Shawnee for Kelly Gray to pet. Club members
learn to ride, train, groom, feed and care for the horses.
Audrey Burgwin's daughter, Angel Shockley, above, used to travel 20
miles to a 4-H horse club in Surry County.
ABOUT THE CLUB
The Windsor 4-H Horse and Pony Club holds its business meetings
at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Windsor Municipal
Building.
The group often meets on weekends at Burgwin's farm, where they
hold workshops with horse experts or blacksmiths and learn how to
care for the animals.
An estimated 700 of Isle of Wight County's 4,500 school-age
youngsters are active in one of several 4-H clubs scattered around
the county, extension agent Goerger said.
``Our goal is to reach at least 25 percent of that population,''
he said.
In the past three months, several new 4-H clubs have been
launched in Isle of Wight, including Camp Town, which meets twice a
month at Southern Isle of Wight Recreation Center near Franklin, and
another Windsor community club that meets at the municipal building
on the fourth Thursday.
Plans are in the works to start still another club in Windsor and
one in Carrollton.
by CNB