Alex Blackwood was a tremendous young adult, loved by young and old, and at the
age of 19, had the world at his feet…or did he? This is something his
family and friends still ask themselves.
One thing is for certain, Alex’s accomplishments in the pleasure horse industry boggle the mind. Below is a partial list that does not include the titles that Alex won when he was younger in classes such as showmanship and reining. (Please forgive me for listing the Arkansas “state world show” first. It may be just an open show, but it typically has 1500 entries. Those of us from Arkansas, including Alex, not only place a huge emphasis on it, but we also think it is the most fun ever.)
- 5 Time Arkansas State Championship Horseshow Champion
- 2002 Arkansas State Championship Horseshow All-Around Champion
- 2002 Dixie National Champion Western Horsemanship
- 2002 Top 10 Congress Western Horsemanship
- 2003 Dixie National Champion Western Horsemanship
- 2003 Top 10 AQHA Youth World Western Pleasure
- 2003 Top 10 Congress Western Pleasure
- 2004 Top 10 AQHA Youth World Western Pleasure
- 2005 3rd AQHA Youth World Western Pleasure
- 2006 Florida Gulf Coast Circuit Champion Youth Western Pleasure
- 2006 Champion Southern Belle Futurity 3 YO Non Pro Western Pleasure
- 2006 Reserve World Champion AQHA Youth World Western Pleasure
- 2006 Top 10 Congress Western Pleasure
- 2007 Dixie National Champion Youth Western Pleasure
- 2007 Top 5 AQHA Youth World Western Pleasure
- 2007 World Champion NSBA World Championships Youth Western Pleasure
- 2007 Scottsdale Classic Non Pro Maturity Champion Western Pleasure
- 2007 Florida Gold Coast Circuit Champion Youth Western Pleasure
- 2007 AQHA Honor Roll High Point Youth Western Pleasure
When people ask me “What happened to Alex Blackwood?” I tell them that he died of depression. Depression is a very real risk for young adults. Many young adults are unclear to their feelings and how to handle the pressures of young adulthood as they move from a “youth oriented” structure to the responsibilities of young adulthood. Young adults often find it difficult to reach out for help and support with these feelings because of the fear of rejection and judgment.
Depression can occur in different degrees and in some situations can cause a person to act irrationally. I feel confident that if given another chance, Alex would not have taken his life. If given another chance I suspect all of us would have done a better job to reach out to him and others that we have lost in our lives to suicide.
The Centers for Disease Control report suicide as the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people aged 15 to 24. Even more disturbing is the fact that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14. A statistic that is little known is that suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. The signs of depression that may require intervention are; change in friends, feelings of hopelessness, feelings of low self worth, a change in desire to participate in the things that previously brought you joy, and giving possessions away. Discussion of suicide or “ending one’s life” must be taken seriously. Early exposure and abuse to drugs and alcohol can compound any tendency toward depression and in some situations lead to depression.
So, even though we do not hear a great deal about suicide in young adults, it is a very real problem, causing the deaths of thousands of young people across the country each year. Suicide statistics shed very little light on the problem, and offer few insights as to who might need help, and how to assist them. There also seems to be a real fear to discuss the issue. It is important to recognize the fact that the suicide rate among young adults is on the rise. In order to prevent suicide in youth and young adults, it is vital to recognize those at risk.
The network of friends that become family, in the equine industry is large across the United States. These family and friends love and admired this young man, yet he suffered in silence. A question we all asked ourselves lead to the development of a foundation in Alex’s honor. “How can we stop this, how can we let people know how to reach out, that it’s okay to need each other?” After several meetings with Alex’s family, we all felt that education and public awareness was the place to start.
A 501c3 foundation titled The Alex Blackwood Foundation for HOPE has been formed to honor Alex’s memory. This Foundation has developed as its focus, educational scholarships to youth in the equine industry, funding of programs such as Teen Screen that seek to identify students at risk for depression and or suicide, and finally to provide funding to suicide prevention programs in AR, TN and MS. We also hope that enough funds are generated this year to build a memorial playground in Alex’s name. Our vision is to have Steve Blackwood tell Alex’s story in the public schools and in church groups to talk about the HOPE that we all can find in each other and in our faith.
We can’t change what happened on Oct. 17, 2008. Time stopped on that day and things just didn’t seem real. We are determined that something positive can come from this tragedy. We are hoping that schools will offer a voluntary “Teen Screen” where teens are allowed to take a voluntary confidential screen as well as educate themselves about the potential signs of depression and how to seek help. Two fund raisers are planned for the Foundation. The first will be an auction held at The Southern Belle Invitation on July 16, 2009. Items to be auctioned can be found on the website www.tsbelle.com. There are some really great items and those wanting to donate items are encouraged to contact me, Connie Hill, at 870-761-4426.
A tax deductible statement will be provided to those purchasing and donating items through the auction. The second event is a public event that will take place July 18, 2009 and involve bikers from Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi riding to The Hollywood Casino in Tunica, MS for an entry fee of $40, these bikers receive an event t-shirt, event patch, lunch at the casino, a gaming card and a chance to win a motorcycle! This event is titled, The Alex Blackwood Memorial Ride for HOPE.
The Foundation will be selling t-shirts designed by JML Design at The Southern Belle, SR Gold has designed silver dog tags with Alex’s initials and proceeds from these sales will go to the foundation.
The Foundation will give back to the equine industry through its youth programs and I hope that everyone will come out and support this very worthy cause. Please visit www.alexblackwood.com or www.tsbelle.com for more information.
