Giving back to a sport that has given so much to me

I have had many people ask me over the past two years why I decided to join the GDCTA board of directors. My answer is always the same. Rebecca made me do it! Of which we all have a good laugh. I am of course referring to my good friend and fellow horse lover extraordinaire Rebecca Bowman. The truth is that Rebecca did approach me during the nomination period and asked me if I would like to run for a position on the board in the upcoming elections back in 2016. It took much thought on my part before I was able to commit to such a responsibility. I, like so many women in our industry, already have a very full plate and was uncertain whether or not I would be able to give the position the time that it deserved. It was then that I gave myself a kick in the rear and told myself that I could dedicate a year to an organization that has given to me.

Three years later…. And I’m still here. My work load at the farm has grown exponentially (which is a good thing) and I am finding myself more and more involved in activities and business ventures outside of my regular Monday thru Friday work week. Let’s be honest, as a young professional if we aren’t working 7 days a week then we are missing out on an opportunity that could go to someone else with more drive. I’m at the age that I feel like now is the time to dig in and work hard and drive myself to do more. My current motto in life is “I’ll make it happen!” That has gotten me through some long, busy, and tough days. Sure I find myself questioning my sanity as I embark on yet another work stretch where I go 5, 6, 7 weeks with no day off in sight. During those periods I just remind myself to take advantage of every moment and if I can work in an afternoon off at some point during that stretch then absolutely do it! Or like today when the show gets rained out so I can take the time to write this article that I have been telling myself I will get done for the last two weeks. (I did mop my floors first because they desperately needed it!)

So with this busy life that I have evolved into how on earth did I manage to find the time to still give back to GDCTA and stay on the board and be a useful member? The answer to that is quite simple. I made it happen!

Since joining the board, I have evolved from a regular “at large” board member to be the Corresponding Secretary in 2017, and then to the Recording Secretary in 2018. I take the minutes at every meeting and create the Overview that is published in our Collected Remarks Newsletter. Do I sometimes type that overview late at night before crawling in to bed? You bet your butt I do. Have I ever forgotten to do it before the deadline because I got so busy working? Heck yes I did and I want to thank both Penny Morse (my mother) and June Brewer for always kindly reminding me that they need it and being patient with me when life has gotten me overwhelmed and I just plum forgot!

I am pretty sure that I get my drive to work hard and give back from my mother. Everyone knows “Miss Penny” who organizes the volunteers at Chatt, keeps all the vendors happy, helps fix any other problems problems that may arise along the way when it comes to getting the horse show organized. Two years ago she created the Southeast Schooling Show Championships to allow competitors that only get to compete at schooling shows to have a taste of the spotlight that the riders that compete at the recognized shows and go on to compete at Dressage Regionals and the American Eventing Championships feels. If that wasn’t enough, she also created and now organizes and run the Twilight Jumper Shows that take place at Chattahoochee Hills during the summer time on Wednesday night. Cause why would anyone want to have an easy day mid-week!!!

I learned a long time ago that life only gets busier as you get older. It also gets more complicated but that’s a story for another day! As my schedule has grown and filled and spilled over I have made a point to keep looking at every day, week, and month as a challenge to get everything done that I have set out to accomplish. Some days are longer than others. Some days are more satisfying than others. I absolutely love my job though and the amazing animals that I get to work with. I love the people that I get to meet…. most of them anyways! I love my life and this amazing sport and the community that came along with it! Giving back to a sport that has given so much to me has been more rewarding than I ever imagined! I love getting to contribute and provide for the community of equestrians that I am blessed to interact with week to week!

Being on the board has been a rollercoaster of a ride from the very first meeting. I learned very early on that while there are many ups, there are also downs. Just like in life, there will always be hard decisions that have to be made. At the end of the day you cannot make everyone happy. That was a hard one for me to handle as I am such a people pleaser and I want everyone to be happy. Topics that I thought the answer would be straight forward and simple I have learned to look at from a different perspective and remember that our goal is always to do what is best for the members as a whole. Some meetings run longer than others. Some nights I don’t get home from a meeting until well past 10pm. I keep going back every month though because I love what GDCTA stands for and I want to see it grow and enrich as many peoples’ lives as possible! I want to see the young rider ride with the clinician that we brought into the state that they would not have gotten to ride with otherwise. I want to see the smiling faces of every person that walks across the stage at our annual awards banquet and receives their year-end award. I want to see that and know that I helped make that happen for them. I helped create a happy memory in one of our members.

We all live in a give and take world. If you find yourself wanting to give back to the sport that has given so much to you then don’t hesitate! Volunteer at the show happening next week. Help out at the clinic going on next month. Join the committee that’s enhancing a portion of the club. Put your name on the election ballot to join the board of directors for the New Year. It’s a scary thought I know but you can do it! Shoot! If I can do it then anyone can do it! At the end of the day, if we all give a little then that adds up to a whole lot! How lucky are we to be involved in such a growing industry with such excellent people and such awesome events! I hope everyone has a great summer and I look forward to seeing everyone out and about with their ponies at all the fun and fabulous events that are on the calendar!!!