I've had a life. As time goes by I realize how lucky I have been. Mainly because my childhood influences instilled in me the respect for hard work and the good things that come from it. I had two great influences in my life.
My Dad, and my Grandfather.
From my Grandfather my love of horses which took me far further than I ever imagined that it would. Most of my adult life has been shaped by the relationships and the results of the hard work I put into the horse industry. Most of my friends, the places Ive seen, the good times Ive had have come because of the horse industry. Training horses showed me to never give up. How much hard work and dedication pays off, and how to compete for what you want in life. The old saying "to the victor go the spoils" is very appropriate here. The Horse industry is failing right now. Numbers are down. Quality is sketchy in both horses and trainers to build the great ones, and our youth and amateur divisions are suffereing from lack of support at the grass roots level. Not to mention the continued assault from the ignorance of animal rights groups and activists. The way I see it, the path to saving the horse industry is in the education of the young. Supporting the local horse clubs, state associations, and the 4-H and FFA programs. Whatever money is being spend at this level is tragically not enough. Ive seen the direct benefits of those programs in the lives of the youth that I have had the privilege to come in contact with. Children are hungry for life at a young age, they are eager to learn and experience new things every day. When guided by parents who are involved, Schools, FFA, 4 H volunteer leaders and Industry professionals who take the time to Judge local horse shows and county fairs, put on seminars at the grass roots level, the kids absorb information like sponges. It builds their character, teaches them how to win and lose, how to be responsible young adults that can grow up to be responsible productive Adults. There are semi retired horse trainers and judges and industry executives all across this country that could volunteer time to steer young people and the horse industry in the right direction. They have valueable life experience and equine knowledge to share.
Which Brings me to My Dad, My Dad never does anything half way. He graduated from trade school as a machinest. He has a wealth of knowlege from life and work experience that you dont find in your average individual. I remember him working two jobs when I was a kid. 2nd shift from 3 pm until midnight, then he would take on side work fixing electic hair dryers and such during the day and watching my sister and I. I remember him buying snowmobiles in the summer that did not run and then repair what ever they needed and sell them. Not to mention the basic automotive knowlege that he taught me while working on his own projects. Rebuilding an old Willys Pickup, swapping in a chevy 6 cylinder, rebuilding bearings and drive shafts and changing axels. We built pole barns and baled hay and built fence. If my car broke down I had a repair manual and the tools and parts I needed and his guidance to help me when I needed it. Which was more often that not and it was always obvious when I had gone rogue and screwed something up when I had gotten ahead of myself. The money that I have saved working on cars throughout my life has probably kept me alive at some point.
Probably the three most important things in life that I learned from Dad have literally gotten me out of bed some days when I had no other choice. One, you can have anything you want in life if you will work for it. You hold that right in your hands from day one. Two, never be afraid to try something new, If you want to build a barn, build a barn, learn how, there is no crime in hard work and some sweat and a little dirt, and three Dont be a quitter, get up every day and do your job, The biggest reward you can have is knowing that you didnt quit and your reached your goals. You'll never reach them if you dont try.
Obviously I have some time on my hands waiting for my medical adventure to work its way out. I'm also feeling very mortal at this date and time. Most of the good horses that I have been lucky enough to enjoy are now running in greener pastures. I've outlived all my dogs to this point, and every one steals my heart more than the last. I have good friends who are no longer with us and a great number of the influences from my childhood are now gone. Getting old is a sobering experince if you are lucky enough to get there. I just want to enjoy the time, friends, this country, and most of all my time with Brian until I get to the end. Which I am going to gut out for another 20 years. I'm not done pissing people off yet.
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