The Spirit of the Horse Leadership Camp took place on the Blackfeet Nation this past July at the Archie St. Goddard Ranch near Browning, Montana. Co-hosted by Women in Ranching and Sapoo Horsemanship, sponsored by the Red Ants Pants Foundation, and with t-shirts generously supported by Blackfeet Tobacco Prevention, the camp aimed to empower Blackfeet girls aged 10–14. Through horsemanship, Blackfeet Culture, leadership development, and lessons in personal boundaries and healthy life choices, the initiative provided much-needed youth development opportunities in a rural, underserved community.

The need for this event specifically for girls stems from the unique challenges they face at a critical stage in their development. At ages 10-14, girls are navigating crucial moments of self-identity, self-esteem, and personal boundaries, which makes this a pivotal time for positive influence and mentorship. Creating a space that encourages them to connect with their culture, build leadership skills, and learn from strong role models helps foster resilience and a sense of purpose.

The idea for this event came from Tiffany and Archie’s shared passion for supporting the next generation. 

“Creating Sapoo Horsemanship as a nonprofit has always been a lifelong goal for us,” said Tiffany. “We are driven by a desire to create spaces and resources that nurture the heart. Sharing the deep connection and healing that horses provide has been an honor for us, as we’ve experienced firsthand how they can touch the spirit and provide a sense of peace. There is a lack of resources and activities for youth in our rural community, and there was an obvious need for this type of gathering and community-building. Teaming up with WIR to make this event happen was a perfect opportunity to provide much-needed support.”

A Day of Connection and Growth

The camp began with breakfast, introductions, body movement, and stretching, followed by a culturally grounding session led by Elder Carol Murray. Her prayer, smudge ceremony and storytelling about Blackfeet history set a meaningful tone for the day. During her stories, there was a discussion about the cultural importance of horses, a huge piece of Blackfeet tradition. Horses were not only essential for survival and hunting buffalo, they are deeply embedded in the culture as a source of strength, medicine, and connection. Elder Carol emphasized how horses are a tool for learning important life lessons, such as boundaries, coping, and building confidence, as they always bring you into the present moment. They serve as a medicine for the soul, healing in ways that go beyond words and offering spiritual guidance.

The horsemanship aspect of the camp is especially significant, as it honors this vital part of Blackfeet heritage while offering the youth an opportunity to experience these lessons firsthand. It’s through their interaction with horses that these young girls can gain a deeper understanding of their culture, while also building resilience and leadership skills that will serve them for years to come.

Participants then learned horse safety and handling basics from horsemanship clinicians Jessica Shortridge and Tiffany St. Goddard. By mid-morning, each girl confidently demonstrated her horsemanship skills, riding and managing their assigned camp horses within the pipe corrals.

Reflection and Takeaways

The day concluded with a sharing circle, where participants celebrated their growth, friendships, and cultural connections. Many expressed their desire for future overnight camps. Each participant left with more than just memories: they received a braid of sweetgrass, a camp t-shirt, honed horsemanship and interpersonal skills, and a stronger sense of connection to their spirits, the Blackfeet homelands, and animals. To honor the girls’ request for an overnight camp, preparation and planning for a 2025 Spirit of the Horse Camp is in motion.