MUSTANG TROOP PARTNERSHIP

The Kentucky Horse Park Mustang Troop Program will return this summer with a new partner, CHI Saint Joseph Health’s Creating Safer Neighborhoods Initiative. This collaboration will allow the program to reach more youth in need from across Fayette County.

The Creating Safer Neighborhoods Initiative, the health care system’s youth violence prevention program in Lexington, encourages youth and community members to establish an intolerance for violence, creating a safer and healthier Lexington community. The program is supported through a grant from the CommonSpirit Health Mission and Ministry Fund. CHI Saint Joseph Health is part of CommonSpirit Health, which has hospitals and care sites in 21 states.

The Creating Safer Neighborhoods Initiative will greatly impact the scope of the program. Founded nearly 30 years ago, the Mustang Troop invites underserved youth from the Central Kentucky community to a two-week summer horse camp experience held at the Kentucky Horse Park. Offered free of charge, the horse camp includes riding lessons, personal development activities, daily transportation, meals, riding apparel, and mementos.

Program participants are each paired with a partner and a horse and given access to quality riding instruction, equine education, and equine care. The Mustang Troop seeks to give campers the opportunity to build lifelong coping skills, develop self-confidence, set boundaries, and balance teamwork and independence through the channels of horsemanship and riding. Mustang Troop participants are invited to attend holiday events throughout the year with their families, including Hats Off Day, Southern Lights Holiday Festival, and Halloween Campouts.

“The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation is proud to support the Kentucky Horse Park Mustang Troop,” said Clay Green, Chair of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. “Exposing young people to the power of horses is one of the most important things we can do in the equestrian community, and I am continually amazed when I hear about this program’s impact. For nearly thirty years, the Mustang Troop has taught underserved youth invaluable life lessons, provided exposure to horses that would have otherwise not been possible, and created a tangible pipeline to careers in the horse industry. New partnerships, energetic community support, and state-of-the-art educational opportunities are just around the corner. I believe the best is yet to come for this amazing program.”

The Mustang Troop is solely funded through the support of the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation and relies on private donations.

T he dedicated staff of the Kentucky Horse Park Education Department is essential to the success of the Kentucky Horse Park Mustang Troop, and the KHPF is delighted to introduce this summer’s lead instructors, Angel Antonaccio and Mary Franzoso. Tell us about your equine backgrounds?

Angel: I grew up riding in a program called Horses N Heroes which was a program for kids under the poverty level. I started that when I was 7 years old and haven’t been able to leave the barn since. Once I moved to Kentucky I went from only riding Hunter Jumpers to working at the Kentucky Horse Park Breeds Barn where I have learned to ride a variety of disciplines and breeds. In 2022 I became the Park’s Education Coordinator.

Mary: I’ve had a fascination and love of horses for as long as I can remember. I did not take my first ride on a horse until I turned 50! I have not looked back since. I have just finished my two-year certification program in Equine Acupressure. I am very excited to bring this therapy to the horses at the Park and to teach Troopers some basic centering/acupressure points.

What’s a typical day like in the barn with the Troop?

Angel : A typical day starts off with each Trooper practicing balance exercises on the HomeHorse donated by the United States Equestrian Federation. We then begin a classroom lesson where the kids learn horse anatomy, colors, breeds, careers and disciplines. We go out to the barn and groom each of the horses and prepare for a morning ride. Once the kids have all ridden, we go inside for lunch. After lunch we start another classroom lesson. We then go back to the barn and groom and prepare for another ride. After riding has been done for the day, the kids will assist in turning out the horses to their fields and then will clean and reset the barn for the next day.

What skills does the Mustang Troop help each child build?

Mary: Confidence in themselves and to be present in the moment knowing that is the moment the horses live in. To be respectful of each other and those around them including the horses they work with.

Angel: The Troopers learn responsibility, teamwork and communication skills that can help them in school and in future careers.

Do you have a favorite teaching memory with one of the Troopers?

Angel: We had one Trooper last year who was incredibly shy and we rarely heard him speak. In one of his riding lessons, we were practicing balance exercises and I had him hold both of his arms out to the side while we trotted and his arms started going up and down, so I made the joke that he was going to fly away. He immediately started belly laughing which was the first time he opened up to us.

Mary: I teach the troopers acupressure/centering/breathing exercises. One Trooper quickly bonded with a Suffolk Punch named Laura. I taught him how to ground/center himself with her when he was nervous or having a challenging day. From that point on every time Laura was in the barn he would ask if he could ground himself with her, even if he was not assigned to her that day. It made my heart melt every time I would watch them together.

What does the Kentucky Horse Park mean to you?

Angel : I absolutely love watching guests and students alike seeing or touching a horse for the first time. I’m able to show others just how amazing horses are and how therapeutic being around a horse is. Being able to be that link is so rewarding.

Mary: It is so nice to love your work, if you can call being with horses every day work! The Kentucky Horse Park is family, and we all take care of each other, both human and equine. I am honored to be in the presence of such amazing people who all share a passion for the horse.