~Teen Succeed~

Kelina Smith June 2014

Visual Communications (Final Project)

Photographs taken at Mesa Farm in Rutland

Teen riders/volunteers

Spring 2014

Photographer: Kelina Smith

The objective of this project is to photograph a

teen that was doing good for their community.

All of these teens are brought together by their love of riding.

They themselves benefit from riding but they also help each other

and give back to the community. Because of their passion and

understanding, they want others to feel the happiness they do.

• Although Dale is not a teen, he is the instructor, director, and

owner (along with his wife Ann) of Mesa Farm. He coaches the

Drill Team and works with groups of kids that have challenging

socioeconomic backgrounds. He believes that any time spent

with the horses are therapeutic. Even if a child starts with just

observing but then decides to just get close to a horse or brush

it, that is them stepping outside of their comfortable boundaries

and it helps them take another step forward in life. Dale runs his

classes at the riders pace, wanting the student to gain

confidence and a bond with the horse of their choice.

• Taryn is at the farm every morning to

help with chores. She helps feed the

animals, move them to the proper fields

and volunteers whenever Dale needs a

helping hand. She participates with the

Drill Team whenever she is able.

• Sinead, with her father’s assistance, help Dale maintain the farm, helping

repair any wearing down of the fences, keeping the barns neat and

exercising any horses if needed. She rides with the Drill team and is currently

the only Trick Rider in his show.

is our youngest rider and diligently

works through any challenges we place in front of her, she helps clean the tack

and tack barn each month.

is the best

vaulter and has her own routine.

She helps Dale with the home

school groups

is the oldest teen in

the group and is always backstage

at shows helping out, ready to fill

in where she’s needed and

volunteers over the summer to

help with riding camps.

These young teens voluntarily ride throughout the

winter and help keep the horses in shape

Keeping all the tack

organized by horse

instead of rummaging to

find the right halter etc.

saves time

Waiting for all the horses to come to the fence instead of

chasing them around the paddock and field saves time and

energy (bonus, they come when called by name)

Cleaning the tack is a chance to check for any wear-n-tear on

the equipment and replace/repair anything that has been

used to its safety limit

Practicing before the show starts is

important, last minute adjustments

and safety checks are made

The show isn’t a timed event but making sure everything runs

smoothly and on time is important. So is ending each show with

smiles before letting the crowd meet the riders and horses.