I’ve been training horses and teaching horsemanship for a long time. Many of my students and clients have stuck with me for nearly as long. It gives me a thrill that I have so many people who have invested their trust, and with so many I have formed firm friendships.
One of the biggest thrills comes from people who I first knew when they were kids or teenagers. They were starting out on their journey as horse people and have grown to become impressive young adults. I see them show up at a clinic or I get a message from them asking how I am doing or they want my thoughts on a horse they are working. It is like the best Christmas present ever. I love it and appreciate it so much more than they can ever know.
Many of the women I first met when they were kids now have kids of their own. They have jobs, families, horses and dogs, and all the things everyone fills their lives up with.
Quite often they will bring their new baby or toddler along to a clinic. This happened a few months ago when one of my long-time students brought her baby of only a few months old to a clinic. She tried to apologise for bringing him to the clinic and promised he would be no trouble or distraction.
I told her to never apologise for bringing her son to a clinic. I said he is a joy and not a distraction. He helps make the clinic feel more like a family affair instead of a classroom. He brought joy, not trouble. She is like family and so is her family like family.
I get that being a parent, especially of an infant or toddler, and trying to carve out the time to get better at your horsemanship can often be challenging at the best of times. And at my clinics, if a participant comes along with their little one, it's not that different than being at home, or a boarding facility. Doing your best for your child, while at the same time doing your best for your horse at the of the lead rope, or reins is a challenge.
I see these brilliant young women coming to a clinic with a young child and I am in awe of their ability to raise a child, hold a job and career, keep a family together, and work horses. I try to think back to when they were 12 with pigtails and braces, hugging their pony like they might die if they let go. And here they are years later at a Ross Jacobs clinic being amazing.
Everyone and their family is welcome at a clinic.