Monday kicks off Random Acts of Kindness Week which runs February 10-16. With that in mind, we wanted to follow up on our popular 14 Tips to Spark a New Trend in the Horse Industry: Kindness article. We asked trainers and competitors if they remember a time when someone treated them with kindness or encouragement at a horse show. Many of the memories involve mentors or idols that reached out and gave an encouraging word, suggestion and even a slice of coconut cream pie. Do you have a Random Acts of Kindness story that pertains to the horse community? If so, we want to hear about it!
Sandy Arledge–When I moved to California from Texas in 1970, I had never seen a trail class. After watching and practicing, I entered a trail class at the Del Mar National Horse show. I watched all the spectacular riders and horses, but one was particularly good. It was Cynthia Cantleberry and a big gray gelding named T Bar Tommy. Cynthia recognized that I was young, green and new to the game! She introduced herself and gave me some pointers that were very helpful. She was kind, friendly, informative and was influential in my choosing Trail as a specialty in my 40 years of training horses.
Johne Dobbs–My daughter, Courtney, made the showmanship finals at the AQHYA World Show on Monday and the finals weren’t until Friday that year. Dianne Eppers took Courtney “under her wing” and tutored her along with Jessica Gunn every day, several times a day, practicing, practicing and practicing some more. Courtney placed top five in the Finals, and with the kids who were in that class, it was a major accomplishment. Dianne coached her out of the kindness of her heart wanting to help one of the Illinois team members. She will never know how much impact that had on my daughter!
Troy Compton–I was a shy 18 year old kid at the time, working for Dave Page. We were at a horse show in San Antonio, which might as well have been a million miles from home. I was sitting by myself in the stands and Jerry Wells walked by and saw me and said, “Troy, do you like coconut cream pie?” It amazed me that Jerry Wells even knew who I was. So, of course I did the only thing an 18 year old kid could do when faced with that question in the presence of greatness. I promptly responded with a quivering, “Yes, sir, I do like coconut cream pie.” He told me that the concession stand had the best coconut cream pie and he went and bought us each a piece. We sat in the stands and ate that pie. Jerry Wells…with me, sitting in the stands at a horse show eating coconut cream pie. Life couldn’t possible get any better. Jerry was the most respectful man toward me and I have always used that as a barometer of how to treat other people. As I’ve accomplished things in my life, which pale in comparison to his, I always remember fondly what Jerry did for me that day.
Stacy Chambers–When my sister was dying of cancer, I remember the kindness offered to me by Bret and Candy Parrish. They opened their barn to me. They let me come when I could get away from the hospital to brush, help and love on their horses. They didn’t really even know me, but that didn’t matter. Their kindness to me at a time of such incredible grief left a lasting impression on me. I promised myself that given the opportunity, I would offer the same kindness to others when dealing with the loss of a family member.
Blake Weis–When I think of kindness, the first name to pop to my mind is Beckey Schooler. Throughout my whole show career, she has never hesitated to help me and give me her advice. I can always trust in her to give me her honest opinion, even if I don’t want to hear it. This past year at the youth world, I was having trouble with a kid in her western riding pattern, and getting very frustrated. Becky came over told me what she thought and talked me through how to approach the problem from and different angle. It worked, and she ended up having a very good ride. It meant so much to me because she took time out of her night just to help when she had no obligation to.
Katy Jo Zuidema–I was at the AQHA World Show the first year I ever showed in the two year-old western pleasure there. I was showing a horse named One Hot Loper that Roma Thompson owned. Our camp had a pretty good year, and I was so excited to show him in Oklahoma City. So, anyway, I show and he was awesome. I made the semi-finals but not the final. I was devastated. I felt like I had somehow let my horse and Roma down. I’m out by myself walking around on a horse in Barn 6 and Dale Livingston is sitting on the rail. I know Dale, but not great. He’s always been like one of the founding fathers for me. I have the utmost respect for him, but he’s a little intimidating too! He always calls me “sis”. I walk by him and he says, “Sis, they were hard on you today.” I stopped and I looked at him, and I was stunned. I honestly had a knot in my throat after I realized who it was. I said something like, “Thank you sir, I sure do like my horse. Wish I knew what I did wrong.” Now, I don’t remember exactly what he said, but I can tell you that I needed to hear it. He kind of scolded me, but it was okay. He turned a real bad moment for me into a learning experience. He really talked to me in a way that most men of his stature didn’t talk to a young woman like myself who just showed her first western pleasure horse. I have never forgotten it. He really helped me when I felt like I was way over my head. Thank you Dale!
Jennifer Kyle–I am always in awe of the wonderful people in my Amateur classes. I stopped showing while I was in college, and coming back to it at the world show level has been exciting, but I quickly realized there were not as many familiar faces. All of the people I show with have been friendly, and have great sportsmanship. I think everyone really supports each other. Of course, we all want to be the winner, but at the same time, everyone recognizes we are all there to enjoy our passion. Most people have sacrificed time at jobs, with significant others, and “normal” vacations to come to these shows. So it is great to have such an awesome group of people to celebrate with when it goes well, and to laugh with when it does not go the way you want. I am starting to know more and more people, and always greatly appreciate it when my friends introduce me to others.
Larisa Affeldt–I have a great story about Terry Cross. I went to the 1998 Quarter Horse Congress without my then trainer, Cliff Kelmer. Terry watched my horsemanship go in the NYATT youth and when I came out of the class, he told me what a great job I did and how impressed he was that I did so well at that level without even Cliff there to help me. It was such a nice thing to say and it has stuck with me for years. I did end up making the finals in that class. Such a great memory!
Leonard Berryhill–When I was first getting started as a young trainer and and showing everything from roping to pleasure, John Hoyt was always very accessible and willing to help me with questions. If you knew him, his gruff manner and quick humor was always followed by a story that if you listened close enough, always had a hidden bit of wisdom attached to it. He always made me feel at ease and was very positive in his evaluation of my performance. I always appreciated getting to be around such a great horseman in his prime. Also, in his day, Don Wilcox was one of the most respected horsemen in our area, and one of the funniest individuals I ever met. Don never said anything directly but from his stories, I gathered so much of his knowledge and experience. As a world champion trick rider and trick roper who performed in such venues as Madison Square Garden, Don trained his own horses and much of that ability went into his training of show horses. He gave me a lifetime boost when he once pulled me aside and told me in a very positive way what he thought of me as a person, and how he felt I had a great future as a trainer.
Joanne Garnett–This past November while driving to the AQHA World Show, Gary and Tami McAllister had the unfortunate luck of their hitch breaking on their trailer. Murray Griggs took the time out of the day and drove to where they were broke down and picked up all the horses. Then, he drove over four hours to Oklahoma City with all the horses arriving late in the evening and then drove back home that night. Thanks to his kindness and generosity, we got to show at the world show and had a great show. It is truly great to know there are such generous and kind people who will drop everything to help others. Murray Griggs is one of those people!
Lauren Crivelli–As competitors, we are always trying our hardest to be our best and sometime we are hard on ourselves when we don’t attain our goals. However, the kindness from a trainer after a rough day is something that is greatly cherished. Both Tracer Gilson and David and Cheryl Busick have showed nothing but kindness to both myself and my horses. The greatest feeling is walking out of the arena and seeing a grin on your trainers face as they tell you how proud they are of the effort you put forth in the arena. Regardless of the result, their kindness is what makes you want to work harder and keep going back out there. Tracer and David are both there for me in my personal life as well, and take the time to ask how I am doing in school. They genuinely care about who I am as a person, and that kindness is something that will always be appreciated beyond words.
Maria Salazar–After the weather trauma at Red Bud last year, Jill Newcomb hauled Leroy and all my tack back to California at a moment’s notice just to get him out of Oklahoma and to safety. Then, Chuck Briggs opened his home up to me, my mom, and trainer, Shannon McCulloch in Dallas because that was the only city we could fly out. Fast forward to Congress in October, and it’s Amateur Trail day. I lost track of time and how quickly the working order was moving. Apparently, the gate was calling my name over and over, Jason Wanderer let the gate know that I was on my way (I wasn’t) and Jason Martin proceeded to call Shannon until she answered. Both of the Jasons were swamped and busy with their own trail horses, but the fact they took the time to help me out truly meant the world. Once I finally got to the pen, the Congress staff was so kind and still let me show. I actually didn’t miss my work order, but I didn’t lope over a single pole beforehand. The horse world is full of some really beautiful people and I feel blessed to be a part of it.
Sandy Jirkovsky–The best people in the world are horse show people. I was married to Ron Dawson and a horse fell on him in the roping and broke a bone in his leg at a horse show in Nebraska. Everybody chipped in to help me the rest of the show and went out of their way to make sure we could get back to Texas. It is absolutely amazing what strong ties the horse show world has. Last week at the Arizona Sun Country Circuit, over $130,000 was raised to help Benny Guitron. This benefit was headed by Dana Avila but support pulled together nationwide. Doesn’t get any better than that!
Elizabeth Knabenshue–I cannot think of one specific act of kindness, because I believe it happens so often in our industry. A couple of years ago, I turned in my amateur card and became a professional horseman. I was extremely nervous about the transition, but what I found was I was welcomed by other professional horsemen who were very supportive and generous. I found that if I had a question, business or training-wise, I could approach anyone of my peers and they would take the time, no matter how long, to help me work through it. I think this is a very important part of our industry that many people forget about, or perhaps don’t see from the outside. We all have to work together to help grow our industry.
Cheryl Hawkins–I was at the World Show sitting in the McDonald’s drive thru line. I placed my breakfast order and pulled around to pay. The lady at the first window said the man in the truck in front of me had paid for my order. I was shocked. When I looked at the truck to see who was driving, it was Charlie Cole!
Jay Starnes–I remember right after I turned in my amateur card and was going to turn professional, Randy Wilson came up to me and shook my hand and told me, “Welcome to the Club.” The gesture has meant a lot to me over the years, not only because I respect him, but I felt like I was accepted as a professional at that point.
Carla Wennberg–I think I grew up with the right influences, my parents were strict and I had better act right or I did not get to show. Plus, I had a people in my life as trainers, Dr. Jim Heird, Lynn Palm, Suzanne and Debbie Jones, who also made sure I was good to others and fair. My sweetest memory came from Youth World. I had a great Youth World and was winning. Due to some problems from prior shows with people doing ugly things to some horses, we were afraid someone might do the same to my horse. Although, he was very protective of himself in the stall, kind of mean really–I probably had nothing to worry about. As I kept winning at the World
Show, we kept moving him around. We would share space in other states, and they were so kind to let us stall with them. In any case, my point is– many others who were my competitors, were helpful in every way to keep my horse safe. Back then in the 70s, my memory is about being there for each other and having healthy competition. It comes from the people who coach you in life. Your parents and your trainers, your coaches. Winning always feels best when it is fair!
What is your favorite Random Act of Kindness story that pertains to the horse world? Share it below in our comments section or on the GoHorseShow Facebook page.
Photos © Jeff Kirkbride, Eric Mendrysa, Holt Photography, and Impulse Photography.
