Since before I was born, horses have played an immense part in my life. Plagued with a genetic love of horses, handed down by my mother, it soon became apparent that the future I would lead someday held many opportunities for a career within the equine industry. Entering into the world of riding as a child, Pony Club was one of the first on the list. Jumping seemed like heaven, flying thru the air with Amber, an American Saddlebred I'd been riding. The two of us got along pretty well, she more or less taking advantage of my lack of skill in the saddle. She gave an insight to the younger me on how much farther I had to go, and even the extensive time the labor took to care for her over a weekend. Even before Amber entered into the picture, a Swedish mare named Marabou, Bou for short, fell into my life before I was born. Growing up riding her myself, and watching my mother ride her both at the stable and at lessons taught me a great deal. Seeing that quality of riding being accomplished only added more fuel to the fires of my own dreams. Riding Bou only added proof to how adequat...
I have been a four year letter-winner in volleyball and basketball. Athletics have been a crucial part of developing my character and work ethic. In sports, you must work together with your team to reach your goals. Trust and communication skills are vital and are tested every day. The failure and setbacks I have faced through sports have helped me to believe in myself and have the self-confidence that it takes to be successful in athletics and in life. As a senior captain of the volleyball and basketball teams, my leadership has improved tremendously as high school has progressed. Being a leader holds me accountable and I aim to be a role model for younger teammates on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.
The horse is a highly respected animal in United States culture. It has been worshipped and paid tribute to through art, books (Misty of Chincoteague, Black Stallion), movies (Black Beauty, Spirit), and television shows (Mr. Ed). The horse industry is huge in the United States, encompassing everything from rodeos and racing to horses owned for purely pleasure. There have been statues erected of famous racehorses, as well as museums devoted entirely to equines.
Attention Getter: To me life with out horses is a life not worth living. To most people there are only two types of styles of riding, English and western, but there are many more types than that. And all are different.
Lisa Lockhart is no rookie to the Rodeo world. She is an extremely accomplished barrel racer. She is a nine-time WNFR qualifier and a four-time Canadian champion. At the 2014, Wrangler’s National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) Lisa won the average title and finished runner-up for the World Title, crossing the impressive one million dollar mark in career earnings. Her horse Louie is a beautiful Buckskin horse that goes everywhere with Lisa, when it comes to rodeo he is Lisa’s best friend. “As long as I do my job, he just does his. He is just a horse that is so willing to please. Over the past five years, Lisa has been a very consistent competitor finishing top five in the World Standings each year.
Young, Rhoria Lee, and Maggie Bracher. "Horsemastership part 2: Physical, psychological, educational and social benefits." International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation 12.3 (2005): 120-125. Web. 8 Mar. 2011.
Establish Credibility: Six years ago I became more interested in horse racing and what it took to become a jockey. I went to numerous clinics with my Thoroughbred, Clint Eastwood, and dreamed to race with him someday, until I was in a horseback riding accident that injured my left leg as well as crushed those dreams.
Buck Hill didn't stable the likes of Secretariat, War Horse, or Trigger, but horses of a more modest lineage have played a role in our community from its very inception. Here, we take a step back in time and recollect some charming equine events:
Being an international student in the Master of Social Work program at MSU has been a positive transition in my life. I believe that this study abroad program to Mexico during 2014 spring break will help me to have a better understanding of Latino culture which will enhance my personal growth as well as furthering my professional goal of working with children of poverty as a social worker.
In the world of the multi-billion dollar racing industry, it is important for those involved to understand the factors that will determine successful racehorses. Racing supports people in their livelihoods, and successful horses result in a lot of money. Although it is universally accepted that the greatest factors that result in success for racehorses are breeding and training, I argue that other factors, such as experience, timing, and luck play a big role in their success as well.
Everyday is a chance to do something you would have never dreamed of doing and a chance to make society a better place. That is the beautiful thing about being an American, every person has the right and the opportunity to be incredible. When I get out of bed in the morning, I make it my personal mission to take advantage of my opportunities and make the world a better place. I believe that incredible things can be done through the smallest or largest actions. Last year, I saw the impact one baseball game can have on an entire community. That event taught me that because I have the right, I have the obligation to do the things I can to improve the lives of others everyday.
According to the Farrier Guide, “. . . of the 700,000 who are employed in the horse industry, farriers represent 3.5 percent of the total population” (“Farrier/Horse Statistics”). Even though farriers aren’t a large percentage of the horse industry, they are one of the more important occupations. Tony McCoy, a northern Irish horse jockey, once stated, “Horses are like people - they have different personalities. They can be nice, friendly and hard-working, or awkward, difficult and lazy. If horses were people, some would be on the dole, and others would be entrepreneurs” ("Tony McCoy Quotes"). Since horses are a lot like people, farriers stay in tune with a horse's personality. Just like people, horses need tender love and care. As one prepares
In conclusion, horses mean more to me than many other things. They are part of my friends and family, but I also have great respect for them. Horses are surrounded by benefits that make us feel exceptional. Their colors are all attractive. Their breeds are marvelous and unique. Their history with us is quite a beneficial relationship. Their behavior is different from ours, but is an easy language to learn. Showing horses is exhilarating! Caring for them can seem like a chore, but is actually an overall fun and propitious experience. Riding horses is fun and meaningful, not just something to learn or do just because. And, no matter what people say, I believe there is something truly special about my dear friend the horse.
Sliding the barn doors open, I step into a warm, comforting environment. Musty straw mingles with the sharp aroma of pine shavings, complementing each other. A warm glow from sporadically placed incandescent lightbulbs richens the leather tack, all cleaned and hanging ready for the day's use. From it wafts the smell of a new pair of shoes. The fruity essence of "Show Sheen", applied after yesterday's baths, still lingers in the air. Even the harsh stinging scent of urine and manure is welcome at this early morning hour. Breaking open a bale of hay, I sense the sweetness of the dried timothy as it engulfs my olfactory system, making me wish my queasy stomach had not made me skip breakfast. I am nervous, as are many others. I know that the day ahead will bring excitement, dread, triumph, and defeat. The unpredictable nature of horse shows causes frenzied questions, like salmon spawning, to run constantly though my mind. Will the judge like my own particular style? What if the red flowers bordering the first jump spook my horse? What if a piece of paper on the ground blows into the ring? Will this horse show be a success? The outcome depends not just on me; but a...
American philosopher John Dewey’s statement is mostly agreeable to me, when he stated ‘Education is a social process’ I couldn’t agree more, because learning is part of human nature, people learn things each day both consciously and unconsciously. The way our society works today is all about social interactions, learning about one another to establish social relationships.