California Riding Magazine • May, 2009

Horse of the Sun
San Diego facility hosts TEAM Esteem program for kids.

by Kathleen Burke Jensen

TEAM Esteem is the newest innovative program at Horse of the Sun, the growing equestrian facility in San Diego that was founded in 2003 by Stephanie Parisi. The TEAM acronym stands for Together Everyone Achieves More.

TEAM Esteem is an equine education program providing youth and adolescent experiences that foster teamwork, leadership and communication. The goal is to facilitate opportunities that enhance self-esteem and self-awareness. TEAM Esteem takes character and emotional development training beyond reciting slogans and rote learning and into a living process where kids are encouraged to take chances in a safely designed environment, to be creative and explore new options of perception and behavior.

“Some of the kids we teach suffer from attachment anxiety disorder,” explains Parisi. “With our program the kids learn to bond to their horses, and this trust then spreads to their teammates. These kids start to feel a sense of mastery. As they’re building confidence and character it spreads to others outside of the program.”

The first level of TEAM Esteem is an eight-week session during which students meet once a week for three hours. Program Director Cynthia Johnson describes the first meeting as a day of games in which the kids learn how the horses feel. With the bridling game, kids pretend to be horse and rider. One child is blindfolded as the other participant puts the bridle on “the horse’s” head and puts their hands on the bit. “With this exercise we’re actually able to school the kids how to stop, start and steer,” explains Johnson. “And they learn about the importance of correct balance on the reins.” In addition, they learn about compassion, trust, teamwork and empathy.

TEAM Esteem kids playing the bridling game.

The horse and rider team then go through an obstacle course so they can both learn how the horse feels. The kids learn that unless given the correct cues, the horse doesn’t know where to go. “We even teach them about canter leads from the ground,” Johnson says.

After the bridling games, the kids move on to a ground class with 45 minutes of hands-on horse care which includes grooming, saddling, bridling, bathing and clipping as well as how to put the halter and lead rope on. Next comes 45 minutes of lecture time, sometimes featuring guest speakers. Students learn about topics including hoof care from a farrier, saddle fitting from an expert saddle maker and first aid from a veterinarian. Each three hour session is a dynamic, challenging experience comprised of a ground class, a mounted lesson and specifically designed games that make learning fun.

Safety First

TEAM Esteem is all about safety first. “We’re sure the kids are fully prepared before they get on the horse,” says Johnson. At first they’re on the horses for 15 minutes one on one with instructors before moving into a group setting. By the third day the kids are pretty well ready for their 45 minute mounted lesson with some good skills behind them to be able to work around the horse. Director Johnson is certified by the American Association of Horsemanship Safety. She participated in Jan Dawson’s program, a well-known offering in the field of establishing safe programs for kids.

Learning good horsemanship.

Additionally, TEAM Esteem offers one to two hour after-school packages during the week. The program is open to the general public and private groups are available for both special education and substance abuse education. Certain school systems also give credit for such aspects of the program as physical education, sociology, leadership and gardening in the organic garden at the ranch.
The kids love TEAM Esteem, as is evidenced by the following comments from participants: “I’ve never been around horses before. This was a great experience. I feel now like I can do anything I want to do. I learned the horses are not just animals, they have feelings. There’s stuff going on inside of them, you can communicate with them, you can control them.”

“I was amazed at how closely I bonded with my horse and others in my group. The experience opened my heart and built my self confidence.”

Parisi also founded the non-profit organization Horses Heal Hearts that underwrites scholarships for kids who need financial help in attending TEAM Esteem. Horses Heal Hearts welcomes financial and equipment donations.

Sigaf, the Andalusian stallion owned by Stephanie Parisi.
Sigaf was ridden by Orlando Bloom in the movie Troy.

Parisi owns a stunning Andalusian stallion, Sigaf, who is a sort of mascot for the TEAM Esteem program. The youngsters are naturally drawn to this amazing animal that starred as Orlando Bloom’s mount in the movie Troy. Sigaf performs regularly in exhibitions and the kids are invited to participate as well. In June, for example, at the Del Mar Fair, Sigaf will be in an exhibition and the TEAM Esteem students will do a drill in the opening act.

The 36-acre Horse of the Sun equestrian facility is located in San Diego County’s Pine Valley and is surrounded by the Cleveland National Forest and miles of trails. This tranquil sanctuary offers a perfect invitation to those who wish to partake in Horse of the Sun’s mission, “Adventures for the body, challenges for the mind and nourishment for the soul.”

For more information on TEAM Esteem contact Cynthia Johnson at teamesteem2009@yahoo.com, call 619-473-8151 or visit www.horseofthesun.com.