CHANGE

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:00:00 +0000

This lesson is fairly simple. If you want change, you have to BE THE CHANGE. I don't care if we're talking horses, politics, religion, etc. This rule is tried and true. Some years ago, before I ever showed AQHA or APHA, I was terrified of going to a breed show. I'd been told for years that they were too competitive and it took more money that what someone like me had to go out and show in those shows. All of these people, mind you, had never showed at these types of shows. One day, some breed show people came to an open show I was showing at. We all went into the class, and I beat them. They were actually very nice to me and convinced me that I needed to show on the AQHA show circuit in AZ. My first year showing, I was year end high point with my colt (who was a rider by the way, in a halter class.)

One thing I've consistently heard from judge's feedback is that more often than not, they take a second look at my horse and place me because I walk into the ring looking like I'm leading a million dollar horse. If you've known me at all, you've heard me say it repeatedly, A LITTLE FAITH GOES A LONG WAY.

You're never going to know if you don't try, and I can't speak for everyone, but I'd much rather have a life full of oh wells than a life of what ifs.

All You Are Is Mean.

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:20:00 +0000

"All You Are Is Mean" is not just the title of a hit Taylor Swift song, but more often than not, I find it to be the state of the world, and more concerning to me, the state of the horse industry. I have been trying to put my finger on when exactly it happened, and I just can't put it to rest. My guess is that people have gotten gradually more comfortable with being disrespectful, it hadn't happened overnight. I see it a lot in the younger generations, maybe they didn't get spanked enough for being disrespectful and inconsiderate, who really knows?

I'm actually quite concerned with this business, as I go on facebook regularly and chat with other industry professionals, I just hear it more and more. "Did you see them giving that horse injections before the class?" "I wonder how much money they spent on surgery to get that horse in the show ring?" "I won't go out to a show because I can't afford to inject my horse with this or that or afford to pay judges to win a class."... People, get freaking real.

After observing this behavior for some time, I'm finding that this "meanness" often stems from jealousy. Someone has something nicer than you and does well, then they must be cheating somehow. I have a news flash for everyone, there is no horse that is perfect and there is no horse that isn't perfect in their own way. You may not have the bravery to step out into the world and play with the "big boys" or the "cheaters" depending on the day and who you ask, but really, that is no ones fault but your own.

You may have some genuine concerns, I mean, that horse with the awful jug head probably shouldn't have won the class on conformation alone. But, more often than not, people forget that halter is NOT simply a conformation class, it is a breed standard class and breed standard also includes disposition. So that horse walking into second could be very pretty to look at, but don't pay any attention to the fact that it couldn't keep its' feet on the ground the entire class. Oh, and that horse that just won the western pleasure class sure wasn't the absolute best mover in the class either, but his rider didn't have to stay in his face the entire class or keep his spur in his side like the rider that was in fact riding the best moving horse in the class did.

What people are also failing to think about, is that some person out there absolutely loves that jug headed horse that you've been saying nasty things about. They probably worked very hard to get to that show, and I'm sure that they feel they deserved first place. I'm sure that as a spectator, you have a horse at home that could have "beat the crap" out of that jug head in the show ring. But the fact of the matter is, you are a spectator, you were not in the ring, you were not brave enough to stand before the almighty judge.

I own horses that will never make it in the show ring. Some of them I have had for many years, since childhood. They will never make me a million or get my picture in the journal, but I love them. I also own horses that have extraordinary show records, most of those horses were "rejects" that other people made snide comments about them never making it. Well, they did. I may have had to work a little harder, but a little bit of faith will go a long way. I'm starting to loose faith in many people.

As children, we were taught a simple rule that still has a place in today's society. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. This may flat out offend some people, but honestly, if you are one of those negative, mean people, don't be surprised if you suddenly find your way out of my life, because, all you are is mean. As a last thought, I leave you with this.... What are you contributing by putting other people and their horses down?

Silver Buckle Performance Horses

CHANGE

All You Are Is Mean.