Santa Set To Gallop Into Town
Posted: November 29, 2012
Santa might not be able to tuck a real pony under your Christmas tree this year, but he and Mrs. Claus will gallop into the Valley on Sunday, in the finale of the Equestrian Club of Bridgewater College “Horses’ Christmas.”
Beginning at 1 p.m. at the Equestrian Center, 102 Burketown Road in Weyers Cave, the indoor performance will feature skits in themes inspired by modern animated children’s films, following familiar plots with horses in costume cast as leading characters.
Each short skit has a “Christmas twist,” according to Equestrian Club chair and BC junior Kayla Deyarmin. She’s been riding since age two, and now enjoys helping little ones enjoy the event.
In lieu of admission, the club asks attendees to bring canned non-perishable goods. Last year, over 400 pounds of food were donated to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank during the event, according to Beth Boteler, faculty adviser to the Equestrian Club and assistant to the director of riding at BC.
The college’s emphasis on “educating the whole student” is evident in events such as “Horses’ Christmas,” said Boteler.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get in the Chrsitmas spirit … in addition to benefiting the community,” said Jerry Schurink, director of riding at BC. The “sense of citizenship” taught through charitable events strengthens students’ passion for their community and their respective craft, he said.
Over 11 years, the event has grown alongside the college’s equestrian investment, which began in 2000 with only eight students. The Bridgewater Equestrian Club now boasts as many as 100 members, on average, said Boteler.
Last year’s “Horses’ Christmas” welcomed over 150 audience members of all ages.
Deyarmin hopes especially that the smallest audience members learn that the holidays aren’t “all about the presents,” but making festive family memories.
For more information, call Beth Boteler at (540) 223-2437.
Beginning at 1 p.m. at the Equestrian Center, 102 Burketown Road in Weyers Cave, the indoor performance will feature skits in themes inspired by modern animated children’s films, following familiar plots with horses in costume cast as leading characters.
Each short skit has a “Christmas twist,” according to Equestrian Club chair and BC junior Kayla Deyarmin. She’s been riding since age two, and now enjoys helping little ones enjoy the event.
In lieu of admission, the club asks attendees to bring canned non-perishable goods. Last year, over 400 pounds of food were donated to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank during the event, according to Beth Boteler, faculty adviser to the Equestrian Club and assistant to the director of riding at BC.
The college’s emphasis on “educating the whole student” is evident in events such as “Horses’ Christmas,” said Boteler.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get in the Chrsitmas spirit … in addition to benefiting the community,” said Jerry Schurink, director of riding at BC. The “sense of citizenship” taught through charitable events strengthens students’ passion for their community and their respective craft, he said.
Over 11 years, the event has grown alongside the college’s equestrian investment, which began in 2000 with only eight students. The Bridgewater Equestrian Club now boasts as many as 100 members, on average, said Boteler.
Last year’s “Horses’ Christmas” welcomed over 150 audience members of all ages.
Deyarmin hopes especially that the smallest audience members learn that the holidays aren’t “all about the presents,” but making festive family memories.
For more information, call Beth Boteler at (540) 223-2437.
Contact Samantha Cole at scole@dnronline.com or 574-6274