Never Underestimate the Power of a Kind Word- Ring Steward Edition

 

By: Brittany Bevis

Never underestimate the effect a kind word can have on someone’s day. Has a ring steward or gate person ever said something funny to brighten your day or help ease your nerves? Our Equine Chronicle readers had plenty of amusing, heartfelt, and thoughtful anecdotes to share concerning this topic.

Teresa Cooney– “I love being at the gate to tell them: ‘Great job,’ ‘You look awesome,’ ‘Nice outfit,’ ‘Beautiful horse,’ or ‘Great pattern.’ It’s fun!”

Alicia Corkran Schwartzbeck– “At my first Novice Championships in Virginia, in Showmanship, I was standing in the chute and the late John Ackerman told me that I would do just fine and all my practicing would pay off. I’ve never been so grateful in my entire life. I was literally so nervous. That moment when you have to leave your trainer and stand in the chute by yourself is so nerve wracking, and it was like he knew exactly what I needed. I’ve never forgotten his kindness that day. He didn’t know me from anybody, and he still took his time to make sure I did the best I could do.”

Rhonda Marie Brown- “John Ackerman was amazing! I loved that he would always yell, ‘Nervous Amateurs,’ for Novice and often called the Select ‘Broodmares.'”

Jenn Greenawald– ” I so miss our gate guru, John Ackerman. There was never 9 or 14 in a class. He always found that one entry to get those points up. You couldn’t tell him no. He called your name and you went in the class!”

Katie Greenawald– “John Ackerman was at my very first Quarter Horse show. I was so nervous. I couldn’t even remember the pattern. He always had a way of making you feel calm and ready to go. I was beyond grateful to see him at my first Congress too! He was such an amazing man.”

Sandy Ivelich– “He said, ‘Ma’am, you forgot your hat.’ He saved my butt before my Showmanship class. I must have passed 50 people who didn’t say a word to me… I’ll never forget that guy.”

Petra Cruse– “The ring steward at the ApHC National Show in Tulsa said some courageous words to me and wished me good luck with a big smile. Definitely took some stress off me.”

Kimberly Huizenga– “My favorite ring stewards: James Gardner is so kind and always says, ‘Don’t forget to smile.’ Janet Fraser is so full of positive energy and always makes you feel special.”

Julie Ford Holland– “It was actually a judge who started talking to me and encouraging me during my Showmanship pattern. My horse had decided at cone A that she wasn’t doing Showmanship that day, and we struggled all the way to the set up. The judge and I talked and laughed while I stood there during inspection. It definitely lightened my mood, and I came out of the class laughing instead of feeling humiliated. The photographer caught us laughing as my horse looked for the gate.”

Britney Kitchel Brandt– “At my first AQHA show, I got to cone A in my Equitation class and went 100% blank. I went totally rogue and did some stuff between cones. It was a hot mess. As I left the ring, the ring steward said, ‘Did you get lost out there?’ We both laughed. I went back in and won the next class.”

Pat Stewart– “Ron McMillian was such a kind caring steward. He always made Colton feel great. He always had a kind word for everyone. He was a true professional.”

Cindi Madej– “John Ackerman was the best! He called Novice Amateurs, Nervous Amateurs! He always made us laugh as we entered the ring.”

Terry McDowell– “Rosie Elmore, now deceased, was a super great, gate person. She always encouraged exhibitors, especially novices. One time at a show, my young horse placed well in a tough Hunt seat class, and I was really thrilled. Rosie wrote the placings on the draw sheet for that class and gave it to me as a souvenir. I still have it.”

Cynthia MacDonald Singer– “Teresa Buck at the gate is always good! So encouraging and kind! Calms my nerves.”

Rachel Schoepf- “Once I was doing a Showmanship pattern and fell down in the dirt. It was rather embarrassing. Later that day, the ring steward tracked me down and told me he admired my attitude for getting back up and finishing my pattern with a smile. That small interaction had a huge impact on my life. This ring steward ended up passing away a few years later and at his funeral is how I met his nephew, Ben, who is now my husband. Thank you Uncle Tom for your small act of kindness.”

Allison Bardella Beichner– “The day I walked up to the gate at the Level 1 Championship nervous as could be and John Ackerman smiled and said, ‘Get down here Allie!,’ all my worries melted away. When you’re in a strange place showing against different competitors than normal, a friendly face makes all the difference. When I watched my video, he took the time to stand and watch my whole pattern and gave me a thumbs up. He cared so much for the exhibitors he watched and worked with on a regular basis.”

Mo Holmes– “Before Bareback Equitation at the APHA World Show, Mr. Willis said, ‘If you get bucked off, limp!'”

Dana Cook– “During my first year back at Congress since I was a youth, I was a nervous wreck going into the L1 Ranch Riding. I have no idea if the gate person could tell this or not, though it had to be written all over my face. As the rider in front of me finished he said, “Remember to breathe, and may your horse be with you!’ It made me laugh and realize I wasn’t breathing! It was a kind moment and did relax me a little bit before I walked through the coliseum gates for the first time in years.”

KD Friske– “It was my very first time ever showing at Congress was in L1 Amateur Horsemanship. The man at the gate said to me, “You got this. Elbows in!” Made me smile and helped with the nerves.”

Heidi Evelhoch– “Sissy Vincent Anderson has often been a source of a last minute smile or other means of putting exhibitors at ease. It doesn’t matter the size or level of the show, the laughs and tension relief were always welcome.”

Karen Cias– “I miss John Ackerman. He always made me smile, or blush, when heading into a class. I’ll never forget the nice compliment on my lead change from the gate man at the Congress when I was leaving after my novice Horsemanship class.”

Penny Pendle– “My 3-year-old Quarter Horse reared up in a Halter class. The judge smiled at me, said ‘breathe,’ and waited for me to stand him up before he judged us.”

Shannon Bell Giesman– “Bryan Bergeson is the best! He has been calming my kids’ nerves for years! He always has a smile and a kind word!”

Candace Davidson– “The ring stewards can really set the tone! I’m lucky to have appreciated many!”

Julie Kunde– “Tracy Williams had the level 1 competitors laughing and smiling! It was nice to help their nerves!”

Sue Guelker– “Ron McMillian is the best ever. He always a smile, a greeting, and even a hug for my daughter one time.”

Alyssa Schipani- “I miss John Ackerman calling for ‘Nervous Amateurs,’ and ‘Blue Hairs!’ He always called me Alyssa ShrimpScampi and it made me chuckle.”

Marcia Espich-Zeigler– “God Bless Don Gross. It was my first show ever, and I still remember his comment and big smile.”

Dawn Falcon Causey– “Ron McMillian has always been a welcome smiling face in the arena!”

Alan Jordan– “The arena is yours. Have a good ride.”

Katherine Brockman– “Tracy Willis is a great ice breaker.”

Jennifer Steel Cansdale- “No one makes me laugh like Tracy Willis.”

Hannah Means- “John Ackerman always had to give me a hug before and after my Showmanship patterns at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. He was a very close family friend. We shared many happy tears and he always said that he was my good luck charm.”

Marsha Hartman- “I loved John Ackerman at the PQHA shows. Just not the same without him.”

Claudia Brown– “John Ackerman, rest in peace, always made sure I got in the gate and always lightened the nerves! He is sorely missed!”

Ali Hubbell– “I also loved having John Ackerman giving me an inspirational push at the Congress and at our home PQHA shows.”

Julia Adams– “It can go both ways. My friend, Brianne Mathews, surprised our steward, Butch Watson, with a smile full of fake Bubba teeth as she checked in before her class.”

Diana Ginitz– “The power of words and their effect cannot be underestimated.”

Karen Johnson– “Yes my first World Show. He said, ‘Breath and have fun. Enjoy the moment.'”

Kim Hibdon– “Kathy Taylor, Tracy Willis, Bill H Wright, and John Boxell, just to name a few, excel at these duties. Smiles for miles.”

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