Amateurs as Assets

This last year I was watching a friend compete in the International Ring at WEF, while two professionals standing behind me discussed the rest of their weekly schedule: 

TRAINER 1: “Do you have any clients showing this weekend?” 

TRAINER 2: “Yes- a couple of amateurs doing the equitation and the SC-ARIAT (laughing).”

As an amateur myself, I wasn’t sure whether to chuckle or to be totally insulted.  The good thing about our division is that most of us realize our limitations and typically have a sense of humor.  As a group, though, it is important to realize that we deserve to respect ourselves and to be taken seriously by others for some very fundamental reasons.

Amateurs are probably the most passionate group you will find on the show grounds.  Our participation is solely by choice and most of us make sacrifices in other parts of our lives to ensure this sport is possible.   I am the first to admit that my consistency when riding is something to be desired, but my dedication is second to none.   I just also happen to be balancing business responsibilities (yes- I have had to take an emergency conference call in the warm up ring before my class), family commitments, fiscal concerns, nutrition and fitness regimes and the normal pressures we place upon ourselves regarding our riding.  The result is that most of us are very appreciative of both the patience of our horses and trainers and we thoroughly enjoy victories of all types as well as the deep friendships we have cultivated.

One of the most authentic amateur horseman that understands the importance of preserving the U.S. hunter/jumper industry is Bill Rube, a true gentleman with a career that has spanned several decades and includes the A/O Hunters, the A/AHunters, Adult Jumpers and amateur hunter breeding horses.  His horse show experience, both in and out of the irons, coupled with an unrelenting passion has allowed him to collaborate with other respected influencers to create and sustain official USHJA/USEF programs that are intended to perpetuate the quality of American hunters and riders.   Additionally, he actively participates in building the quality of U.S. hunters by actively owning breeding stock that represent ideal confirmation, movement and disposition for this discipline.

Bill Rube sets an example as to how important amateurs are to the sport of show hunters and is the quintessential example of how one lives by actions, not words, to invest, rejuvenate and sustain our sport.

Salut!