GoHorseShow asked a thought provoking question to our readers: where would they be if they were not involved with horses? We received both funny and in-depth answers. Many individuals did not even want to consider what their life would be like if they never had horses.
We asked both the AQHA and AQHYA President, APHA and AQHA trainers, amateurs, and youth exhibitors, and a Congress Queen. Not surprising, we received a lot of variety in the answers. Some answers were very revealing about other interests and hobbies of particular people. Let’s find out what everyone had to say. Take the poll at the end and let us know where you would be!
AQHA Western Pleasure trainer Karen Hornick–I would be an interior decorator. It’s just something I enjoy, and I could have made it a career!
AQHA President Peter J Cofrancesco, III–Renting jet skis from a hut off a beach on an island somewhere, next to the hut selling cold beverages!
APHA Youth Paige Stawicki–I would probably be a cheerleader like the rest of my friends or have chosen to do some other irrelevant activity along those lines. Sounds awful, right?
Amateur/Breeder Gerri Leigh Pratt–If I were not involved in horses at an early age, I would probably be dead or in jail.
Amateur Jessica Baird: Although I cannot imagine my life without horses, I think that if I hadn’t have shown horses I would have further pursued my love for gymnastics and cheer. Growing up, I was an avid gymnast and I really enjoyed cheering in high school, however, my interest in horses always prevailed.
Trainer Windy Allen: As a kid I loved sailing and spending summers with family on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I only stopped doing that because the shows got too busy. I would love to say I would have been a sailing bum, but more than likely I would’ve gone to medical school.
Youth Exhibitor Bree Tamulewicz: If I had not shown horses, I would probably focus on volleyball. I play for my high school and for a club team as a defensive specialist, but horses are always my main focus.
Trainer Brad Ost: I was working on a modeling career in my later teens, but decided that I liked McDonalds and showing horses WAY more! So if I had not given that up to move to Texas in the pursuit of being a horse trainer I would probably be doing something along those lines.
Exhibitor Joetta Bell: If I had never shown horses, I would own a boat and have a sun tan, not a farmer’s tan!
Trainer Farley Sliss–If I wasn’t a involved with horses I would be a soccer coach. But, I can’t even imagine a life without horses….I’m very lucky to have a life that involves horses!
Judge Stephanie Lynn: In a nursing home! Or maybe I would have used my degree and been a financial planner.
Trainer Robin Frid–Well most people know that I am originally from Ontario, however unless you know the town most would not guess that my town held the largest Scottish Games in North America. So being Canadian my first answer would be that I would be a toothless beat up hockey player, but being from Fergus, I would have to guess I would be a hammer throwing Caber tossing Scot. I would hope to perform better than Patrick Dempsy in the movie, Maid of Honor!
Exhibitor Kaleena Weakly–Wow, that’s a hard one, showing horses has taken me down many paths… led me to my career and my husband. I would probably be back in Michigan where I am originally from, with some type of Veterinarian degree and career. Or who knows, maybe I would have kept showing dogs, as I did before I started showing horses heavily!
AQHYA President Dakota Diamond Griffith–I would probably be lost without the horses, I have never really been good at any other sport (ie; dancing, singing, gymnastics, piano, etc!) Whatever there was to do. I tried it and always came back to my true calling. Although I will be turning pro in 2012, I plan to enhance my riding by continuing my interest in communications.
Exhibitor Carey Nowacek: Wow, I can’t imagine where I would be if I had not shown horses. I played softball in many different select and club teams growing up from age 7 until my junior year in high school, and I always thought if I hadn’t have decided to show horses I probably would have played college ball. Showing horses made me the person I am today and I can’t imagine how I who I would have been without it!
Exhibitor Debby Brehm–If I wasn’t involved with horses, I would be wrapped up in my other hobby: politics. I have been a behind-the-scenes worker since my high school days and have had the privilege of running or being active in campaigns for many Nebraska mayors, council persons, Congressmen, Senators, and Governors. I was even on the Nebraska Steering Committee for President George W. Bush.
Professional Horseman Leslie Lange: I am not really sure where I would be as horses have always been a part of my life. I did get a degree in Ag-Business with a minor in economics, so i might have followed that path. I also always thought that I wanted to be in the medical field…maybe a doctor? I had the opportunity to go on to graduate school, but passed that up for my horse career so maybe that and then a doctorate. I dont know… so many possibilities, yet here I am with horses…. could have made a lot more money, but wouldn’t have enjoyed my life near as much.
Competitor Lauren Halvorson–If I hadn’t been involved with horses, I would probably still be heavily involved with competitive cheerleading. That was something I really enjoyed. I also would still be pursuing my career in journalism. However, I thank God every day for horses. Without them and the horse industry I would not have any of the amazing opportunities I have had. It has been such a blessing.
Youth Exhibitor Danielle Long–I don’t really know where I would be without horses. I used to downhill ski until I decided to ride horses full time. Something tells me I might still be skiing if I didn’t have the horses. But I don’t think I would be the person I am today without horse showing and just being around horses in general!
Amateur Exhibitor Darcy Reeve: If I had never started showing, I would probably be not only in a completely different place in my life, but I would be a completely different person. It’s hard to say exactly where I would be, but If I had to guess I think I would be playing softball for a college! Softball was always my favorite sport, and I tried to play as much as I could until showing horses took over my summers.
Trainer Mark Sheridan–First of all, I can not imagine not working with, and or around horses for a living. However, with that being said, and since I love to teach so much…..I could have seen myself working as a high altitude mountain guide, climbing in some remote areas of the Himalayas in Nepal!
AQHA Congress Queen Brittany Barker–If I had not shown horses….wow, that’s a loaded question. Honestly, I haven’t known life without horses except when I was five or six. I am guessing if I had not been “bit” by the horse bug, I would have gone on with my gymnastics career. I would like to think I would have been in the winners circle of gymnastics–if my body held up. My college degree would probably have been along a different path as well. Possibly a lawyer, sports therapist or athletic trainer. I can’t imagine my life without horses and I don’t really want to try!
Youth Exhibitor Parris Rice: If I hadn’t started showing and had never been involved with the horses I would be playing soccer. I actually played for 10 years switching to select leagues for the last 3 years) and I balanced horse shows with practices and games. I will always love the sport and it was such a huge rush to sprint down the field on a break-away. Eventually my body couldn’t handle the strain of soccer and riding and I chose riding (a decision I am very happy with). But those years of playing were a great experience and so much fun!
Trainer Karen McCuistion–I was a political science major at the University of Wyoming headed towards law school until I became sidetracked breaking colts instead of attending class, so I am fairly certain were it not for my passion for all things related to horses and showing, I would be a lawyer right now. Quitting school to be a horse trainer was probably a crazy choice, but I have no regrets. Horses have been a big part of my live since I was 9 years old and I can’t imagine my world without them. Although I still love a good debate, I still love horses more.
APHA Trainer Erica Lang–It’s hard to imagine my life without horses. However, I am the first person in my family to ride horses and so there was a time in my life when I was horseless. I started riding horses when I was five, but I also started acting and singing. I was very into musical theater and I did both theater and took riding lessons for a long period of time. I was told that I had what it took to be successful in theater when I was younger, however, I was more passionate about the horses and eventually, I ended up dropping musical theater to become more involved in training and showing. If I hadn’t started riding horses and transitioned into showing horses, I wouldn’t have the great friends that I have made over the years. I wouldn’t be getting paid to do something I would do for free. I would still live in California and would most likely have a “normal” job.
Exhibitor Jenna Dempze–My life would be so different without horses. First off, I wouldn’t have met my boyfriend, Denton, if it hadn’t been for horses and horse shows. I’d definitely still be involved with my family’s cranberry business but I’m sure I would have went to a college in Wisconsin, horses and Denton drew me to a college in Iowa. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet so many different people and make friends from all over the country either. It’s really hard to imagine life without horses and horse shows; I don’t like it. Horses are here to stay in this girl’s life for sure!
Lauren Michelle Kelly–Where would I be without horses. Gosh that’s a deep question! Before I got into horses, I was very active. I played softball in the summer since I was 3-4 years old. In the fall I played soccer. I also took gymnastics since I was 5. I’m also a big dirt track racing fan. I would have to say I would probably be racing dirt track cars if it weren’t for horses! I would have to find some way to be competitive, and since my Cystic Fibrosis robs me of a lot of energy and endurance, I don’t think I would be in sports, and I’m a bit too tall for gymnastics now. Also, I think I would be nearly finished with my degree in either nursing or dental hygiene by now too. Instead, I am actively pursuing two degrees, one of them being graphic design. I definitely would not have ventured into owning my own graphic design business in 2004 at the age of 14 had it not been for the horse industry!
GoHorseShow.com wants to know what your life would be without horses. Please take the poll below!
