Today we’d like to introduce you to Ghuan Featherstone.
Ghuan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Our journey started out in 2011. We are an equestrian organization focused on building hope and opportunity for youth and community through the equine experience and the Cowboy Code. We provide a safe and challenging environment for youth that desires an alternative to the streets their communities present. We teach horsemanship, respect, integrity, and responsibility. When our participants become certified horsemen /women they receive a certificate of accomplishment. We offer our eligible youth paid apprentice opportunities with various professionals and businesses. We teach life skills and we take our members on outings and trips to open their minds to different communities. We believe everyone young and old can benefit from our programs! Ultimately we want to impact our communities and the world in a positive way. We live in a world that is building walls on so many levels. Urban Saddles mission is to build bridges!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Our journey has been full of challenges and triumphs. We have a documentary out called “Fire on the Hill “ that highlights our origin. Our original horse stable had a fire in 2012. The location was called the “ Hill” it was there for 75years prior to the Fire. The city shut it down and we’ve been on a mission to rebuild every since. Now we are located at 5343 Leeds St South Gate, CA. Our grand opening is July 27, 2019.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
We are an equestrian/ mentor program specializing in changing lives! We work with youth that normally wouldn’t have access to horses or the resources we provide. We are most proud of the fact that our new stables will facilitate an environment that will stimulate motivate and assist our youth with their journey through life! We are different from other equestrian organizations because our core focus isn’t to train rodeo or equestrian athletes it’s to encourage and mold loving responsible people, break down perceptions and build bridges between communities. We are dedicated to being the change we want to see in our world!
What were you like growing up?
As a child, I was lonely at home and entertained by the streets. I never joined the gang culture. I did get into something’s I shouldn’t have. I was always a friendly person. I had interest in entertainment, construction, and fitness. I enlisted in the Army at 18.
Contact Info:
- Address: Urban Saddles
5343 Leeds St.
South Gate, CA 90302 - Website: Urbansaddles.org
- Phone: 424-385-8887
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Urbansaddles
- Facebook: Urbansaddles
Image Credit:
Michael Thomas, William Bias, Calvin Gray, Gregory Meadows Jr., Brett Fallentine, Steve Amato, Rebecca Foo, Jimmy Greenway, Rozo Regal, Edo, Joel Griffith
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