Taking the reins: Horse ride caps students' fundraising

SAGLE — Christine Davis knew she didn't want to be slimed ... again.

It was that stipulation that found the Sagle Elementary principal on top of a rather large horse June 6, the last day of school.

Davis had been slimed — repeatedly — the previous year after Sagle Elementary students exceeded all their goals in the PTA fundraiser. She found herself on the school's stage in a baby pool as six students poured cup after cup of slime over her.

"I really didn't want to be slimed again," Davis told the Daily Bee.

So this year, the principal suggested an alternative challenge that would allow her to conquer a personal fear.

"I've always wanted to ride a horse and kind of overcome my fears," Davis said. "Aside from being on a pony as a kid where they walk you around in a little pen, I have never been on one."

The horse ride became the big prize students could earn as part of this year's PTA fundraiser. Davis figured the students would hit the goal; they had yet to meet a challenge they couldn't tackle and this was a prize they wanted.

She was right.

"Obviously, we killed our goal," Davis said. "We knocked it out of the park. We had to hit $10,000 and we got almost $13,000."

The fundraising success means the Missoula Children's Theater will visit Sagle Elementary next year. In previous years, the funds have supported STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities and outdoor recreation equipment purchases.

With the students' victory secured, Davis needed to deliver on her promise. She turned to fifth-grade teacher Kristi Terrell and her husband, Austin, for help. The couple owned several horses and Davis knew Terrell would help her pull off the challenge safely.

"I knew she would never set me up on something scary or dangerous," Davis said.

Terrell had just the horse in mind. Merle was an "old man," content to move at a slower pace and the horse she turned to whenever she had a beginning or young rider.

"She promised he'd be gentle," Davis noted.

Throughout the final week of school, anticipation built as students constantly asked when their principal would fulfill her end of the bargain.

"Is today the day you're going to ride the horse?" Davis said with a slight chuckle. "It was just super funny."

The last day of school arrived. Merle was brought to Turnbull Field near the school — just in case the horse was spooked by all the students hooting and hollering. The precaution proved unnecessary as Merle stood patiently while Davis managed to climb onto his back, then calmly walked from the field to the front of the school where the entire student body stood cheering.

"I looked ridiculous," Davis said. "I didn't know how to get on a horse so Kristi was having to boost me onto his back and then we just sort of paraded back and forth a couple of times."

While Merle seemed more interested in eating or ready for the ride to be over, Davis said she never felt worried or in danger — despite her white-knuckled grip on the reins.

"The kids were all telling me to gallop. I'm like 'Are you kidding me?'" the principal said. "Literally, I was white-knuckling it and I'm holding on for dear life."

After the less-than-graceful mounting process and adjusting to being so high off the ground, Davis discovered the ride itself was remarkable.

"It was exhilarating," she said. "I mean, that's the best word I could say, just wow. Horses really are majestic animals and so I was really thankful to have the opportunity to be on one."

The dismount proved as challenging as getting on. Davis admitted her technique was unconventional.

"The dismount probably wasn't as smooth as it should be because I think I was supposed to maybe get off the other side," she said. "I ended up kind of sliding down on my belly."

After giving Merle a treat to thank him for his patience, Davis returned to her students, who were triumphant about her success.

"So many of them afterward said, 'You did it, Mrs. Davis. You did it. We're so proud of you,'" the principal recalled. "And then the other ones were like, 'Why didn't you gallop? Why weren't you trotting?'"

For Davis, the experience represented more than just fulfilling a fundraising promise. She hopes her willingness to face her fears sends a powerful message to her students: that anyone can push past their insecurities and doubts with support from others and a little determination.

"I think part of it is about overcoming your fears," Davis said, noting that such incentives can help capture students' imagination about learning. "It's something that I don't know that I would ever have done if the opportunity didn't present itself here at the school."