When I was much younger, I was a horseback rider.
When I first began riding, I stayed at the same horse barn with the same people for about four years. I spent hours of my days outside in the saddle, feeding horses, training, and grooming. I can honestly say I probably spent a good half of that four years at the barn. I earned both the trainers and the horse’s trust. I even started teaching horseback riding to younger kids. That barn was my family until they decided I no longer fit their criteria for ‘family’.
I was 10 years old when I told my friends at the barn that “I don't want to kiss a boy because girls are so much prettier”. Little did I know the other girls at the barn would tell the head trainer, who then, after four years and
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My mom went and got my saddle and took some photos of the horses for me since I wasn't allowed back to say goodbye. I sat in my room and sobbed for what felt like days, that barn was my life for so long; and since I was so young that was truly the first time I ever felt what it was like to be betrayed by something you loved so much. My mom, of course, told me everything would be alright and she wasn't upset with me, but she sure was furious with my trainer. So she decided to unleash hell.
A couple of days after I was ‘banished’ from all things horseback riding, my trainer announced she would be running for horse council president (which was a big deal where I live). She also announced she would be campaigning around the city and holding press conferences to get the word out and expand her audience, and of course, my mom was not going to let that go smoothly. She went to every press conference and called her out in front of the board on what she had done and exposed her close-mindedness. She stood up for me. Even though none of the other mothers made an effort to talk to the coach, even though none of the girls would do so much as even call anymore, she stood up for me. She didn't tell me to ‘keep it quiet’ like others did. She knew what was right and did what she could to stop the same thing from happening again, and that's when I knew I wanted to be like her. To be a leader. I made the decision to always stand up for myself and others when I knew something wasn't
One way I do this is due to the fact that horses aren’t cheap. Not only is there an expensive upfront cost, but there’s also the all year round expenses like feed bills, expensive hay prices, vet bills, the farrier bill, and the pricy tack (which is all the equipment needed to ride and own horses). Owning and showing horses is one of the most costly activities a person can get into. The majority of my paycheck goes to my horse and into my gas tank to take him places. Kron states that “besides control we use things to compete,”(130). Another way that Boomer’s a sign of my status is through competing with him. To compete, I take him to barrel races and game shows to see who can do the patterns the fastest. At barrel races and game shows we try to get the fastest time to win money and or ribbons. We don’t usually come in first, but all I care about is doing our best and improving our times. This establish a sign of my status because it not only helps me raise it in the horse world, but I also gain more respect because I’m more worried about doing my best and keeping my horse healthy versus just caring about the the money and buying the horses that’ll get me that even if I had to discard horses to get there. Meaning if a horse isn’t good enough or fast enough I wouldn’t sell them unlike some people do. This is a common practice in the horse racing
"Breaking a Horse to Ride: A Guide to Teaching a Horse to Accept a Rider -." Associated Content - associatedcontent.com. Web. 15 Oct. 2009.
In 1997, when Michigan native Jo Anne Normile's children left home, she found herself looking for something to do with her free time. The kids had always been interested in horses; Normile decided to get involved herself. She leased a broodmare for one dollar, picked out a stallion and was soon in the racing business. A hands-on owner, Normile found herself constantly at the track. One day, a trainer asked her to look at a horse he needed to sell- gorgeous, sound and tall, but not fast enough to race. Normile couldn't buy a third horse, but took it upon herself to contact several of the barns she knew from her children's participation in equine sports to see if she could find someone who could. Normile now realized that there was a need for
Contrary to my achievements, my first tryst with horse riding wasn’t smooth sailing. Distinct images of the first day at the stable flash before my eyes every time I reflect upon my humble beginning. I was helped on to the horse by my trainer and instructed to take the reins in my hands when suddenly the horse spooked and charged towards the fence. I fell off and lay still; the
During high school I was labeled as a leader by the teachers and principals, but not in a good way. No matter how hard I tried to stay out of trouble, it never worked. Trouble seemed to always follow me even if I was not looking for it. Track showed me I have a lot more to worry about and just knowing if I had got in trouble I could not attend any more track events. I then knew from that moment forward, I wanted to put track first and by doing that I showed the teachers and principals that I could stay out of trouble; I have track to thank for
As I opened the door to the barn, I could smell the strong scent of hay and I heard a horse whinny. As soon as I saw a tall horse more than twice the size of me, a twist of nervousness formed inside me and I wondered how I would ever be able to ride that thing. As the councillors from the “Horse Camp” put the sattles on the horses and handed us our helmets. (I later learned that my horses name was Bailey.) We all walked our horses out of the big scarlet coloured barn and attempted to put their feet in the stirrups and hop on. I did end up getting on (with a little help) and one of the leaders tried to teach us how to steer, give them commands and ride around a few pylons.
As I sat in the boiling hot sun, the heat that had overwhelmed me throughout the day surpassed. I was engulfed by Lu Paul, a native Hawaiian advocate who was telling me the story of how Native Hawaiians loss their rights. “How did my people become a minority in their own land?” he asked me inquisitively. I found myself making many connections with this man’s story and my own. As he answered my questions about inequality in his community, he began to speak of many things that I had witnessed in my life, that I thought only my own culture experienced. “My people need to fight for equal education, language rights, and employment”, he stated firmly. It was in this moment I began to broaden my perspective of inequality and minority rights. This along with the many other field experiences I had during my semester abroad, help shape my desire to attend law school and work both nationally and abroad in civil and human rights.
By age six, I challenged the double standard set for boys and girls. Instinctively, I knew to speak out against blatant sexism. When I heard a guest at a dinner party remark, "What a shame that beautiful curly hair was wasted on your son. You really should consider cutting it, so the poor thing doesn't get mistaken for a girl." I boldly cut in, "Boys can have long hair just as much as girls. They can be beautiful too, you know."
Some people think of them as animals. Some people think of them as objects. Some people think of them as friends. Then there are the few who think of them as family. Horses have always been like family to humans, except sometimes closer. There are many benefits to owning or being around horses. They come in many different colors. There is a multitude of breeds, also. Additionally, they have a long history with humans. Horses have unique behaviors. Showing horses has been the past-time or even career of many people. Furthermore, caring for horses can be a handful, but is definitely rewarding. Finally, riding horses is not just a hobby or a sport, but an action of your heart. Horses are wondrous creatures that have lived with man or thousands of years.
I took riding lessons for many years, made friends with horses I could ride, and when I got a little older started to help give lessons. After many years of pleading and convincing, my parents finally gave in and bought me my first horse. I had just turned 13 and couldn’t have thought of a better birthday present. Sly was a beautiful dark bay reining horse and he was also 13. We competed together for three years, mostly in Utah Quarter Horse shows, but we also qualified for the Novice World Championships in 2013, and 2014. After a few amazing years working with Sly, I needed a new challenge; therefore we purchased a new all-around quarter horse. Deuce was a much more sophisticated horse than I was used to riding in the past. He was very well trained and made me extremely more confident as a competitor. Deuce and I ended up placing first in trail and third in horsemanship at the AQHYA World Championships. Going to that show, let alone winning it has been my biggest equine accomplishment so far in my show career. I still show both horses to this day and will never be able to get enough of
My mother, Kari Jenson, is one of the most important people in my life. She gave birth to me, helped me learn to walk and so many other things that I find amazing. I cannot begin to fathom how much patience she had to have to deal with me all the time as a child. I’m sure she still has to have patience to deal with me now, but I imagine it was a lot more back then. She has molded me into the person I am today and I wouldn’t want it to be any different. She has always been supportive of everything I have tried from basketball to skateboarding and from football to paintball. Even though there are some things that I do she doesn’t like she usu...
I could speak up because she also took the time to teach an added course to me on Saturdays-not only did I go to class every weekday at school, but Mom held special sessions of history class every Saturday afternoon, replete with really hard memorization
issues and treating those who suffer from these with empathy. In the hope of eradicating the lack of empathy in our community, it is best to start with our immediate community- Rutgers University. The goal is to lay down a foundation that supports the homeless and those with mental illness. Sadly, in our community there are social stigmas placed on those who are homeless and victims of illnesses. These social stigmas are the result of a lack of public awareness and education concerning individuals who deal with mental illness and homelessness.
Once upon a time, I saw the world like I thought everyone should see it, the way I thought the world should be. I saw a place where there were endless trials, where you could try again and again, to do the things that you really meant to do. But it was Jeffy that changed all of that for me. If you break a pencil in half, no matter how much tape you try to put on it, it'll never be the same pencil again. Second chances were always second chances. No matter what you did the next time, the first time would always be there, and you could never erase that. There were so many pencils that I never meant to break, so many things I wish I had never said, wish I had never done. Most of them were small, little things, things that you could try to glue back together, and that would be good enough. Some of them were different though, when you broke the pencil, the lead inside it fell out, and broke too, so that no matter which way you tried to arrange it, they would never fit together and become whole again. Jeff would have thought so too. For he was the one that made me see what the world really was. He made the world into a fairy tale, but only where your happy endings were what you had to make, what you had to become to write the words, happily ever after. But ever since I was three, I remember wishing I knew what the real story was.
Even at the age of 17, many adults have praised me for being a well-rounded, responsible, and mature young adult. Though I am often complimented for my character, I have my mother to thank. She is a big part of the reason why I am the person I am today. From academic awards to character recognitions, my mother has helped me reach all of those accomplishments. From a young child to a young adult, my mother has taught me to be obedient, respectful, and nice. She has ensured that I keep my conduct in check and my grades up to par.