Colorado nonprofit teaches kids life skills on horseback

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — In 1949, Jefferson County asked World War I veteran and horseman Elmer E. Wyland to create an organization for kids to learn to be good citizens, while at the same time teaching them horse riding skills.

They call themselves Westernaires .

“Westernaires is a huge non-profit organization. We have a thousand kids, age 9 to 19 and they come out here to learn about horses. Some of them come out and never touched a horse before,” said Karen Kronauge, Westernaires alumna.

The Westernaires gives kids a chance to learn something that is pretty tough these days, horsemanship. Learning to ride, precision riding, and learning to be a good citizen at the same time.

In addition to riding skills members learn important life skills as well. Public speaking, teamwork, even American flag etiquette.

The casual observer may think Westernaires is just for the gals. Actually, around 15% are boys.

But like anything in life, you need to know where you’ve been before you can figure out where you’re going. Kronauge, who is a Westernaires alumna, instructor and curator of the Westernaires museum says a lot has changed since those early days, but a common thread continues to this day.

“There is a lot that is common still. Enthusiasm for horsemanship, working together as a team, self-reliance and this extended family,” said Kronauge.

The boys and girls don’t need to be cowboys and cowgirls to be in the Westernaires. They don’t need to own a horse or even know how to ride. They only need to have the desire to be a better person.

Let’s ride.

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