Rachel Kolb and Remarkable Can just finished off an amazing Youth World with three Reserve World Championships in Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Equitation. Rachel was kind enough to share her thoughts about her success and what showing horses really means to her.
In Rachel’s Own Words:
This past week has been the week that I, along with many other youth in AQHA, have been looking forward to and working toward all year. So many ups and downs, excitements and disappointments, what a whirlwind of emotion this week has been!
Everything that has taken place over the past week is just now starting to register with me. Everything came and went so fast, everyone was so busy and crazy that I never stopped to realize, “Oh my Gosh! This is really happening to ME!”
Now that it is finally hitting me, I feel like the most spoiled kid in the whole world. To walk home with three silver trophies in three of the biggest and toughest classes in the AQHA industry is a dream that almost seems too good to be true. There are so many kids who sacrifice so much and put their hearts and souls into their animals, with the hunger of recognition. We all watch the winning run videos, get the chills, cry a little, and dream that one day that could be us cantering around the arena on a victory lap with a gold trophy.
I wanted that so bad and came so close THREE times this year that I am starting to think that someone was watching over and wanted me to realize that that is not what this is all about. Sure, everyone wants to be recognized for what they have worked for, and the awards and trophies are super cool, but there is so much more to this than the tangibles.
Ten years from now, the only person who will remember everything that we have worked for, sacrificed for, and accomplished, is ourselves. What has made this whole journey worth it for me is the memories that I have made, the people I have met, the life lessons I have learned, and the opportunity to build a relationship with a 1500 pound animal that can’t understand words.
My horse, Snoop, has been such a blessing in my life because of everything he has taught me and the relationships he has allowed me to make. I have met so many people and made so many friendships, and on top of all that, I feel like I have gained a second family.
Over the past couple years, the Walquist family have become so much more than horse trainers to me. Bruce has transformed Snoop from a grumpy halter horse to a willing partner and he has taught me to become a teammate with my animal. Cindy has taught me the importance of sincerity and truly caring for others. Whitney and Craig have taught me to trust The Lord to the things that are out of my control and to appreciate everything I have been blessed with. This family has changed the lives of a girl and her horse more than they will ever know and I can only hope that one day I will be able to help someone else the way they have helped me.
When the dust settles after such an exciting, crazy, emotional show, it is not the trophies, ribbons, and awards that we carry with us through the rest of our lives. It is the lessons we learned, the friendships and memories we made, and the personal satisfaction that we have of knowing what we have worked so hard for and accomplished in our journey.
