I just watched on the news this morning (the other day) about a woman’s Basketball team that has won four consecutive years.  These girls have won every year of their college life.  They don’t know what losing is all about.  Congratulations to them all.  I do stress all.  If the captain played the whole game by herself, they would have never won.

If you are the big wheel or gear in any mechanical machine, you couldn’t do anything without all the other wheels, gears, or belts.  You’d just sit there and spin.

It’s the same way in the horse industry.  Everyone, no matter how big or small, plays an important role.  Whether it be in teaching, training, or management, leave one element out and you’re in trouble.

In this months Riding Instructors Magazine Gincy Self Bucklin wrote about how you really are not a “Beginner Teacher”, but a “Foundation Riding Instructor.”  This is so true, but very rarely seen that way.  Everyone worships the Show Trainers.  The big names in the industry.  If they are good, they should be recognized for their abilities to progress riders through the levels.  They know their stuff, know how to present it to the rider in a way they understand, and reach the levels of excellence hoped for.

Most upper level trainers love what they do, and that’s what they want to do.  Well it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Then there are those, like myself, who never wanted to be that type of instructor.  Funny, I never even thought about it until I tested with ARIA in 1998.  I’d already been teaching for many years, but decided, since I was moving, and no one knew who I was, I’d certify and have some very respected credentials behind me.  When my video didn’t get the Level III rating (Beginner to Advanced), because my students weren’t that advanced, I started thinking.  I really don’t enjoy teaching advanced riders.  I bring them to that level, but then I would send them off to someone who could finish them off.  I started to reevaluate my priorities.  I loved taking children, and adults, who had never ridden before, and teach them the basics and the love for horses  that I have.  And to this day, I still do that.  But I thought that was just me, and I wasn’t really that important, although ARIA says that I am.  I certified Level II Beginner to Intermediate.

So now this woman writes an article explaining that she felt the same way.  “She’s talked to, and heard about many upper level trainers who admit that they have no idea how to teach beginners!”  She explains that what we teach are foundational skills.  We all know you can’t build anything without a good, solid, foundation.

I never really cared what other people thought about my level of teaching.  I enjoyed it, I felt that my students were greatly benefiting from my teaching, and that’s all that mattered to me.  Oh, and also, they were having fun doing it.  I really could care less if my name ever makes the big time.  It just gives me great pleasure in watching my students ride beautifully to the best of their ability.  If they go on and make a name for themselves, wonderful, if they don’t, but enjoy what they are doing, I’m just as happy.

So it really doesn’t matter if you are the person that mucks stalls, or a Medal Maclay teacher.  Everyone in this business keeps the system, well oiled, and working smoothly.  Never put down your part in this wonderful world of horses.  Your roll, no matter how big or small is very important to someone.

We’re all in this together, from Horse Rescue to Olympic Rider, we benefit the horse, and industry, in one way or the other.  But we all work together for good.