Lessons Learned

AS MUCH AS I wish I could, I can’t seem to shake my stubborn streak of cowboy pride. Sometimes it manifests itself in a positive way—doing a job right or not backing down in the face of a challenge.

- Bob Welch

But sometimes it gets in my way. While I’m fairly confident of my abilities in the pasture, my show-ring potential has a pretty low ceiling. Yet, like anyone, I truly enjoy an exceptional horse. Despite my limited competitive experience—and for some reason I haven’t completely figured out—the ranch horse versatility contests hold a bit of appeal for me.

I’ve been to a handful of clinics, watched online instructional videos, and picked the brains of horsemen whose talents I respect. While helpful, none of these situations could give me what I really needed: One-on-one attention to diagnose and remedy the things that were holding me back.

My wife had taken some lessons from a nearby trainer, and her horsemanship climbed to new heights. She did her best to help me use the tips and tricks he taught her, but it didn’t have the same effect.