Some 12 years ago I was assistant riding coach then after a few years I was the riding coach for our little 4-H club. For me a main goal for a coach is to look at the girls who are riding on the rail and determine 5 factors to help them achieve success. Talent, drive, horse quality, sadly money and parental support. It is rare to have a girl come to 4-H with an abundance of all five though I think we were lucky to have such the rare group we did. Every so often at the club meetings there would be grumblings and movement to have attendance requirements to be in the club. My wife and club leader would always handle it as we are a club to help not judge. Some girls could only make it a couple of practices a summer. Between having to work and no parental support we always tried to help them succeed and have a good time. At that time my oldest daughter and Aimee were well beyond what I could help them with. For me my job was easy just don't let bad habits creep into their riding. So a flash forward to current time. My daughter has a degree in athletic training, 2 wonderful daughters, a caring husband and more horses to work with than time. Aimee has moved on to be one of the top female natural horse instructors in that system and I saw in the paper her engagement notice. So to me both have been successful. The other girls to a one of them have had successes way beyond their young days on the rail. Yes I am proud of all of them.
A couple of weeks ago I was at a benefit barrel race and roping for a young ruffie that I know. Broke his back riding a bronc. There on her horse was one of my past 4-H girls smiling ear to ear from her run and happy to see me there to see her run. As for me that is success.
2008 Newdy and Mona
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