Now that the All American Quarter Horse Congress is in full swing and the youth all around classes are about to begin. This means that many youth will be missing school for up to two weeks. Missing that much school could put you far behind on in-class lectures, tests, and homework, but luckily enough, we talked with youth exhibitors who gave us tips on how to juggle school and the Congress.
Paige Wacker (pictured left): I will be showing in the 15-18 Showmanship and Horsemanship, Novice Youth 14-18 Trail and Hunt Seat Equitation. With starting my first semester at Oklahoma State, I have struggled with trying to balance both school and riding, but my coaches, teammates and advisors have been extremely encouraging and helped me get through some rough patches. Unfortunately, my class schedule will not allow me to be able to show in the 15-18 Equitation since I have a test that day. Plus, I’m sure Willie (Java Mon) really appreciates not having another class on his list. With homework, I make sure I communicate with my professors and advisors in advance to get a game plan before I go to the show. Realistically, I will not do the homework at the shows (to focus on schoolwork while preparing to show is a tough task for me.) So, I do as much as I can prior to leaving, so I am not as overwhelmed. My best advice is to communicate; talking to teachers in person and explain why these shows are important. They see your effort and tend to be more understanding. Often, they want to know more about the sport of equestrian. I explain how going to shows gives equestrians potential collegiate opportunities (NCAA or IHSA). At the beginning of the school year, my mom and I mention right off the bat that I am absent often for equine related activities. I tell them the dates I plan to be gone for those activities at least one week in advance. Again, communication is key to success both in the show ring and in the classroom.
Katie Van Slyke: I’m a sophomore in college at Lipscomb University. I will be showing in the hunt seat equitation, western riding, hunter under saddle, horsemanship, and showmanship. This is my sixth Congress, so I’ve had quite a bit of time to figure out a good method. I always let my teachers know way ahead of time that I show, and I give them a heads up a couple weeks before I leave. I usually try to work ahead as far as possible so that all I have to do at the show is my online work. It’s really not that bad, because usually I just take my backpack up into the stands and do my homework while I watch the show.
Gentry Cherry: I am a freshman in high school this year and luckily enough my fall break falls during this week so I will only be missing four days of school.I will be showing in the working hunter, equitation over fences, hunter hack, hunt seat equitation, and hunter under saddle. I bring all my homework to the show, and I work on it when I have off time. Before leaving for the show, I ask all my teachers for work that I will miss a head of time, so I can turn it all in when I return. My tip to youth exhibitors missing school is to communicate well with your school and teachers.
Nya Kearns: I will be showing in Youth 12-14 all around and 13 and under fence classes. I will miss eight days of school total. My teachers give me my homework prior to the show, so when I have free time I work on my assignments. My parents always email the school administration and ask for their cooperation during my absences.
Lauren Diaz: I am a freshman at Auburn and also compete on their equestrian team. I will be showing in the horsemanship, performance mares, equitation, and western riding. Unfortunately, I was supposed to be showing in the showmanship, but we have a meet against Oklahoma, so I am flying there, showing, flying back and riding in the meet. Then, I’m flying back to Ohio to finish showing. I am actually lucky that we have fall break next week, so I will only be missing three days instead of six. Before I miss school to leave for a horse show, I always look at my academic calendar of each class to see if I have any conflicting tests or projects. If I do, I try really hard to meet with the professor as early as possible to try and complete the assignments early. It’s a lot easier, in my opinion, to study earlier and get something out of the way, than to try and study while at a show and worry about trying to make it up when I get back. I take anything needed for homework to stay on track like readings, online lectures etc., because in college, things happen very fast and even missing a few days can put you really far behind. I always personally talk to each of my professors to see if there is anything I need to do while I’m gone or take care of prior to leaving. Along with my teachers, I must let my coaches know well in advance that I will be leaving and clear it with them. My biggest advice for students missing school for the Congress is to not fall behind if you can help it. It’s very easy to get caught in the hype of the Congress and forget about everything school related, but it will be a headache when you go back. Also, you can never be too prepared to leave. Talking with your professors and taking any actions necessary really makes a difference. This isn’t a common sport, so it’s hard for teachers to understand sometimes. The more you keep your teachers “in the loop” the better. I know it can be a lot to handle but you just have to stay focused and dedicated.
Nick Furlong: I’ll be showing in working hunter, equitation over fences, hunter hack, and the Non Pro Hunter Classic. The schedule is very spread out so I have no choice but miss a long period of school. I try to get most of my work ahead of time from my teachers and even take tests or quizzes early. Before leaving for long shows, I usually have my parents email my teachers about the absences coming forward, and it seems to just get us all on the same page. The biggest thing for me was just to get your work ahead of time and stay in contact with teachers and officials of the school.
Aubrey Alderman: I will be showing in reining, pleasure, and hunter under saddle. Juggling homework is definitely a challenge, but I know that school comes first. When it comes to traveling, I have to make sure I work just as hard, so I am able to continue traveling and do what I love. Also, when I am home, I make sure I go in after school and before to get any extra help that I may need. I usually let my teachers know ahead of time, at least two weeks out. I receive a pre-absent sheet that I get signed by all my teachers so they are aware and they can give me any homework. One advantage I have is my school is all based off of iPads – we have a select amount of books, so it’s a little easier communicating. I can also submit homework while I’m gone so I’m not as far behind. As far as advice goes for the others, I would definitely recommend staying as caught up as you can. Really communicate with your teachers so they are aware and also see if you can do any extra work just to keep your grades up. Lastly, when you’re at the Congress, don’t forget to go and do a little homework here and there… it’ll take a whole bunch of stress off you once you get home.
Carli Pitts: I will be showing my horse, Hot Lady Born Lopin, in the 15-18 and NYATT Horsemanship, and 14-18 and Green Western Riding this year at the Congress. I try to really separate showing and schoolwork. I have never been one that could sit in the stands and write a three page essay, watching the class is much more interesting. So, I work ahead before I leave for the show. I just let all of my professors know that I will be gone for a few weeks, and they will let me know what I will miss. They usually understand and try to work around it. I would suggest to anyone missing school to think ahead. Don’t wait until the last second to tell your teachers you will be gone for two weeks, and, then, don’t wait until the last second to complete the homework you missed. Missing school is always hard, especially in October which is midterm time, but the Congress is worth it.
Savannah Hauer: I will be showing Natural Order in the western all around events and Looks Radical To Me in the hunter under saddle, equitation and western riding. Showing two horses makes for many classes, and because the classes are so spread out at Congress, I usually miss a good two weeks of school. It can be hard missing so much because you’re missing the learning going on in class, tests, and science labs. It can be really hard making stuff up, but most of my teachers are very understanding. Usually before I leave, I plan ahead and try to get a lot of my work done before I leave for the show. I also find out what days I show, that way, on my off days, I can do homework. My trainers, Ryan Cottingim and Amanda Gately, are very understanding, so I like to find out what we will be doing that day, in order for me to figure out a time I can sit down and do some work. I make myself sit down and work for at least two hours then I’m aloud to go do other stuff. Before I leave for a horse show, especially Congress, I give my teachers a two week notice that I’ll be missing school, that way they can start getting my work together. My advice to other students that will be missing school for Congress is make sure you do your work while you’re gone. When you get home and you haven’t even touched you work, you will be drowning in homework from before. Also I know some teachers aren’t very understanding about leaving for a long period of time, so explain to them what you do and why do it, a lot of teachers have no idea what we do. Lastly just really make yourself sit down and do your work, even if you don’t understand how to do something.
Carissa Holliday: I’m showing in equitation over fences, working hunter and hunter hack. Luckily, this year, when I set up my schedule for college, I made it so I only have classes Tuesday and Thursday. So, I won’t be missing any school. Last year, when I was in high school, I missed an entire week of school for Congress because I was also showing halter. I was lucky enough to have teachers who understood my sport and went out of their way to make sure I had all the notes and assignments. Trying to juggle homework and riding is very hard, sometimes, especially, when at a show, because you want to spend time with all your friends that you only see at the shows. I try and do my homework before I leave for a show and whenever I have a break in between my classes. Â Also, I have to make sure that I pack everything I need for school along with what I need for horse showing. A tip that I would give kids who are trying to juggle school and showing is let your teachers know you will be gone and get your work ahead of time. I’ve handed in assignments early so that way I didn’t have to worry about them while I was showing.
Katie Lomas: I am currently a freshman in high school and will be showing in all the over fences classes as well as the equitation. These classes will affect my school attendance, because I need to be riding day or two before I show, which causes me to miss two days of school. But most of the fence classes are conveniently scheduled on the weekend. After the fence classes are over, I go back home for a few days of classes then back to Ohio for the equitation. In order to keep up with school and show at the same time, I usually send a note to my school a week prior to when I will be gone. This gives my teachers enough to time to gather my schoolwork. All my teachers give me a few days to make up assignments that I was absent for. My tip to exhibitors who will be missing school, is to try to get as much homework done while you have down time. If you are waiting for your class, you can work on homework. Try to use your down time wisely!
Monika Zoromski: I’m showing in the youth working Hunter and equitation over fences, the classic, and the jumpers. For me, Congress will be very hectic with school because of the riding team. I’m going to Waco, Texas with the UT Martin Equestrian Team and will be there from Thursday-Saturday, and will miss school that Thursday and Friday. Then, I’m flying from Dallas to Columbus and showing at Congress on Sunday and Monday. I handle homework by doing a lot in the car and at the horse show. This Congress will be my first time at a horse show while in college, so we’ll see how it goes. I have talked to all my professors about any tests I’m missing; otherwise I get the lecture notes from someone in my classes. For missing school, I’d say being prepared and organized will help. Planning when I will do homework during breaks of the horse show helps me as well!
