Support Youth

Youth are a very important part of any industry. If there are no youth, your prospects for maintaining an industry are slim. Yes, some of us start new things later in life, but much of your growth comes from getting youth "hooked." Whether they come from families that have been in the industry for a while or they are trying something new, it doesn't matter. Ensuring youth are supported is vital.

Why? Because not every day will be positive. Some days are difficult, less than successful and downright bad. How we help a youth through those days matters. Do we make a conscious effort to help them learn and grow from those days? Do you try to lift them up? Even when they're not "your" youth? I hope so. I encourage you to do so.

Youth competitors need to know they are important. They need someone to tell them all their hard work shows. Someone to tell them we all have bad days, and you get through them. They need to see those around them learn and grow through those tough days. They also need to see those around them be gracious winners and model good sportsmanship on positive successful days.

So, I'm really saying they not only need support, they also need role models. They need someone, many someone’s, to teach them how to do whatever they are doing. How to learn and grow. How to hone their skill and succeed in the long run. How to walk the path on their journey. Some things are universal no matter what we are talking about. If youth are not supported and do not have good role models, the chances of keeping them decrease exponentially. They need to feel welcome and supported to decide if something is going to be "their thing."

I know, I know…I’m supposed to talk about horses, right? The equine industry is no different. Our youth need support and good role models just like all the rest.

What does supporting youth with horses look like? Some simple things I think we can all do are:

· Tell them their outfit looks really nice with their horse

· Tell them you noticed how much they've improved from one show to the next

· Maybe it's a hug and no words after they forget a pattern and get disqualified

· Words of encouragement, understanding and compassion go a long way

· Smiles are free

Some people have the option to do even more:

· Allow a youth to use your horse for a class, a show, or a season

· Provide tips or training

· If there’s space in your trailer, offer their horse a ride

· If you have an extra horse, ask your kid’s friend to come along on a trail ride

Another way to support youth is by giving of your time. Giving of your time is a valuable commodity and a precious gift. There are lots of ways you can give of your time, and you don’t have to have horse experience to do it.

· Organize clinics where youth can participate

· Volunteer your time as a leader or superintendent in youth focused equine programs such as 4-H, FFA, or WIHA (Wisconsin Interscholastic Horsemanship Association)

· Organize a “meet and greet” at your barn

· Offer to help with the show office, awards organization, or the food stand

· Reach out to the show organizers and they will find you a task if you have time to donate.

The possibilities are endless. Think outside the box. Do what works for you.

Being a role model is not always easy, but it can certainly be a key factor in a youth participant’s success. Some people are easy to identify as a role model in a youth's journey. Their trainer, parents and youth club leaders jump to mind quickly. I believe if you do anything with horses or horse shows, you are a role model. Our youth are watching. They take cues from other people in their barn, all the competitors at a show, the show staff and management, and the random stranger they meet on a trail ride. They watch how you overcome challenges, handle adversity and generally treat the people around you. They see if you are a gracious winner and good sportsman or if you are boastful and a sore loser. Do you treat all people fair? Do you try your best even though the outcome may not be what you'd hoped for? How do you handle a disappointing ride or training session?

I know we are all human. We all have good and bad days. I think the key to being a role model is how you handle both of those days. Owning a bad day or not so positive outcome are equally important. Being a role model to youth means letting them see you fail and how you handle that. Let them see the trust and respect you've earned from your equine partner. Let them see you cry. Let them see the ups and downs of your journey. Let them see you apologize. Let them see you admit when you're wrong. Let them see you try again. Let them see you overcome. Let them see you live life.

What does this look like for me? Supporting youth over the years has taken several different paths for me. Many years ago, my niece showed my horse at county fair. While my niece and nephew were in 4-H I tried to spend as much time as I could training with them and going to their shows to watch or help. When we first moved to Wisconsin, I once made the 7-hour trip home to Iowa to be at a show that started at 10 am. I had to work the day before, so I left Wisconsin at 2:30 am on show day to be there on time. Back then I took a week of vacation to go home to Iowa to be at county fair. It was my way to support them.

Currently, I am a Horse and Pony Superintendent for my local county fair. I work with WIHA at a district show and state finals. I volunteered at an equine assisted therapy stable with a strong youth focused program for 10 years. These are the tangible things I do. I also try to stop and talk to youth as I pass them at a show, even if all I have time to do is say “hi”. I try to do my best and bring my A-game at every show I work, every clinic I attend, or teach. When I'm judging, I'm fair and encouraging to everyone.

Am I perfect? No. Do I fail sometimes? Yes. But I truly enjoy working with youth. Part of supporting youth is accepting the responsibility of helping shape them in our industry. My main point is this - it’s kind of a call to action - be aware that your words and actions can impact youth in your industry. They are watching all of us. It’s my opinion that if we want to keep building our industry, we have to give youth the best of ourselves by supporting and encouraging them and being positive role models. And…you are a role model.