American Horse Publications Conference Proves Fruitful
I believe education is an ongoing process throughout our lives. The old cliché, “The older I get the less I know,” is certainly a true statement for me. Technology is changing so fast we don’t have time to download a software update before another one is there waiting. How we consume information is changing rapidly as well. More and more we are inseparable from our phones. We are plugged in and in front of a screen of some sort most of the time. Honestly, I think that saps our energy.
As the world of publishing changes, I find I’m busier now than ever. There is more online stimulation with social media and video. I sometimes long for simpler times, however, The Northwest Horse Source must change and grow, or we’ll disappear.
One thing that hasn’t changed is how we interact with our horses. I envy the lives of our horses. They have simple needs and aim to please us most of the time. Feed them, give them water and shelter, and they’re happy. Life seems simple for them. Perhaps we should wind down a little more often.
I recently returned from the American Horse Publications Conference in Lexington, Kentucky. I haven’t been for nearly 7 years, and it was time for a return. My husband Mark and I drove the 2500-mile round trip since flights have gotten crazy expensive. We enjoyed seeing six different states on the journey, and the conference was amazing. It’s always great to see old friends (and make new ones) in this industry.
The highlight of the trip was a short visit to the Kentucky Horse Park on our way home. What an amazing facility. I loved seeing Man O’ War’s memorial as well as Secretariat’s. Remarkably, this park is still a working horse farm along with being a resource for education and promotion of the racing industry. And Kentucky is beautiful. The lush green grass and foliage is much different than our new home in Colorado.
It felt good to be back in the action and “out in the world” after our move from Washington. While I do miss all my friends in Washington, I’m only a click away, which is one of the good things about technology. I’m making new friends in Colorado and looking forward to getting connected no matter where I go.
Enjoy the beautiful Northwest weather!
Quote: “You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job, and not be paid for it.”– Oprah Winfrey
See this article in the July/August 2022 online edition:
Owner/Publisher Karen’s lifelong love of horses began at a very early age when she wore out a couple of rocking horses before convincing her parents to get her the real thing. That ill-tempered bay gelding, Brandy, was a challenge for the young horsewoman, but it drove her ambition to become a horse trainer. After attending Canyonview Equestrian College’s Horsemanship Program, Karen realized she needed work that was a little more lucrative than training, so she took a job with Customs Brokerage to pay the bills. There, she discovered an affinity for computers and a talent for creating informative, entertaining newsletters. The Northwest Horse Source began as such a letter in December 1995, with a distribution of 1000 copies for its 12 black and white pages. Now 29 years later, it’s an online magazine and website with a reach of over 10,000 per month and growing! Not bad for the results of one woman’s dream to work with horses!
Today, Karen remains involved with every aspect of the magazine and treasures the community of thousands who share a common passion.
