What do you call it when an 18-year-old Trottingbred, a couple stakes winning Standardbreds and 180 pre-kindergarten students (plus their parents) gather to horse around at the Springfield Fairgrounds?

It’s called the fourth year of the Giberson Stable hosting Riverton Elementary School’s year-end celebration and it took place Thursday evening, May 23.

Students got a chance to meet horses close-up in their stalls and the Trottingbred, Sweet Karen, who has her own Facebook page, was harnessed and showcased in driving demonstration, ably assisted by Nick Giberson and his daughter, Madeline. Giberson’s wife, Amy, coordinated the event, showing the kids video of Fox Valley Camo, a son of Vaporize, winning the Speedy Rodney Stake two weeks ago at Balmoral Park. Amy also bathed Sweet Karen after her spin around the Springfield oval.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped us [Thursday] night with the end of the year celebration for the Riverton Pre-K," said Amy Giberson. "We had around 350 to 400 people show up for it and everything went so smooth. There is no way we could have pulled it off without such wonderful family and friends. Thank you guys so much, we are so incredibly lucky to have you in our lives.”

This is the second year the Gibersons have been the spring conditioners for Sweet Karen, who is one of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation’s Trottingbreds, used to educate students across the country at one-day and multi-day events all summer.

(HHYF)