In the month of February, as we honor Black history, we'd like to share the story of one cowgirl whose mission is to increase awareness of people of color in the equestrian world.
Meet Caitlin Gooch, also known as "The Black Cowgirl". Growing up with horses, Caitlin's love for animals started at an early age. After graduating college in 2015 with a B.S. in Sociology, Caitlin dedicated her career to working with youth. However, it was in 2017, amidst North Carolina's concerning literacy rates, that Caitlin discovered a deeper calling. Understanding the incredible power of horses, Caitlin founded the nonprofit organization, Saddle Up and Read. Their mission is to inspire youth to achieve literary excellence through engaging equine activities.
Although, Caitlin's deeper calling was fueled by more than just literacy concerns. The absence of Black representation in children's books about horses ignited a determination within her. As Caitlin shares on her website, "I never had a book or coloring book with Black people and horses as a kid, so I created one." In 2019, she brought her vision to life with the publication of her first book, "My Black Equestrian Coloring Book Volume 1: The Trail Blazers," offering a way teach children about the underrepresented Black equestrians in history in a fun and educational way.
To discover more about Caitlin's inspiring work, visit her website at theblackcowgirl.com.
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