Frustrated with limited trail access? Having a hard time making it through the thick of the forest? Worried about leaving your rig unattended? These are just a few of the concerns of the weekend trail rider.
Last month we focused on recreational riding and the need to be actively involved in preserving our right to ride on public lands. So what can we do with these frustrations that plaque the equine community?
Be a part of the solution! Hook up with a group of individuals who share your values and goals. Take a hold of a project and give it your best. When collaboration and encouragement become the focus, exciting things begin to happen in an organization. Look for ways to meet challenges, coordinate schedules and divide the workload to maximize everyone’s efforts and create goodwill.
Clubs and organizations often get a bad rap and may get mired down with power struggles, high turnover rate and a small group of individuals doing the majority of the work with sideline commentators keeping the members feeling overworked and unappreciated. However, clubs don’t have a corner on the market. This occurs in all walks of life, but don’t let that keep you from being involved. Let’s all jump in, do our part and ward off the negative chatter of troublemakers. It’s fun to be a part of an organization that appreciates, recognizes and forgives mistakes.
Show season is well underway. I just finished my first show of the season with North West Reining Association. It was great fun. I traveled with a new group of reiners who decided to give NWRA’s schooling show a try. Barb Hento, my instructor and friend encouraged me to go, even though I felt buried with work and totally unprepared. I guess if you don’t just jump in and do it, it won’t ever happen. I’m so glad I went! My horse did well in her first show. It was about being outside and doing something with my horse in a relaxed and supportive environment. It helps to keep me in tune with what’s happening in our NW horse world.
Get out there and enjoy the summer weather and remember to ride!
Copyright © 2008 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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