I saw something neat at the San Antonio Family Fiesta

[JWC sr.]

At the risk of embarrassing the little lady that this is about, Cindy and I saw something really neat to us yesterday at the Family Fiesta show we are at this weekend. There was a young lady about 13 years old that was in a driving class and did a really great job. She ended up winning her class and I think it must have been the first time she had swept and/or won her class.

We did not know her, but were watching the class. After she had won and was coming out of the ring she started crying when she saw her mother. A neat sight to see for someone to get that excited about winning a class.

It bodes well for our industry when any of us can be a part of something that brings that much joy to someone, especially a youngster.

By the way her name I found out after asking around is Jordan McClendon and if you read this Jordan keep up the good work and let us know if we can ever do anything for you.

 

[txminipinto]

Congratulations Jordan! Practice and persitance eventually pays off. I've cried after a few wins myself and hopefully I have a few more tears to shed.

 

[kaykay]

What a great story! Congrats Jordan!

 

[krissy3]

I cried just reading the post. I cry also after a win.. When you work so hard to get there, its such a relief to know in your head and heart that all the work was right and is paying off....did she hug her horse too? I always hug and kiss my horse all over. Thats really neat to see a bond like that with a horse. Good job Jordan

 

[~Dan]

Very nice post John, and congratulations Jordan.

 

[~Lisa~]

Now that is the kind of youth/showing story I like to read. Congrats to Jordan

And thanks for showing those that the majority of those who show young and old do it for the love of the hard work and dedication and can enjoy when others win!

 

[The Simple Life Farm]

That is totally awesome. Congrats Jordan on your placing. I also have wiped a few happy tears, just last year at Nationals!

Thanks for sharing such a heart warming story.

 

[backwoodsnanny]

I wish that were true for all that show their horses. We showed locally for 3 years before attaining our first Blue ribbon and there were tears all around that day. Its nice to see someone who has many blue ribbons give credit to a youth getting one of her firsts. I think sometimes those who have great success in the ring forget what it means to those attaining their first success especially when for many it is a business while for others it is a mission of love. This is not to say that those in the business arent just as happy with wins or dont love their horses its just a different kind of excitement when you are starting out. Thank you for this post to remind us all what those first successes mean.

 

[JWC sr.]

I too have seen the type of jaded approach to this industry from time to time and it is unfortunate for the horses and the people involved. To miss out on the best part of these little guys and the people in the industry is almost a criminal offense to me.

I guess having grandchildren showing and seeing the happiness in them when they get to show has made things like that special for Cindy and I. The life lessons these kids learn in the show ring are awesome and I think teaches them a lot of things that they will use in later life situations.

But with that said the state of our industry even in this economy is alive and well judging from the kids we saw this last weekend and the adults were pretty awesome also.

We saw a lot of helping, cooperation and just down right being nice to each other.

Even though some folks run their farms as a business that does not mean they can't and don't use ethics, common courtesy and be people oriented when it comes to dealing with others and most successful farms/businesses do in my experience. But then maybe I am a glass half full guy, LOL

Sure there were a few un-happy people that had a few problems at the show this last weekend, but all in all it was a great 3 day AMHR/AMHA show with over 150 AMHR horses and 120 AMHA horses. Pretty cool deal for us to be part of.

By the way, thanks to the San Antonio Miniature Horse club for putting on a good show, which we thoroughly enjoyed and did well at. (That is the subject of another post later) My one suggestion is to move it to March or April so it would be cooler. LOL

 

[muffntuf]

Very nice Jordan and family and JWC Sr.!

I cried just recently myself when a yearling filly took 2nd in her first show and Res. GC at the next weekend's show.

These are special times. We should cherish them!

Congrats everyone!