Paying It Forward – Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Style

By Delores Kuhlwein

We often hear about people paying it forward to others – from the drive through at Starbucks to the one at McDonalds, since people lifting each other’s spirits and simply making the world a better and brighter place is newsworthy.

Undoubtedly, we also see the horse community rallying when tragedy strikes. But when it comes to retaining members and exhibitors on a regular basis, we are often left scratching our heads, wondering how we can possibly help.

The members of Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association have made a mighty stride toward that endeavor.

At the recent PQHA Summer Kick Off, a Youth exhibitor went to check out at the end of the show and found her entire show tab had been picked up.  Her balance due: zero – zilch – nada.

It wasn’t a computer glitch or an error –her entire bill had been paid by Mike and Cindy VanElswyk, and it was part of a bigger plan.

PQHA Board members and directors Cindy VanElswyk and Kristie Patterson and other members had been talking about fundraising at a board meeting earlier in the year. “Cost always comes up,” Cindy explains.  “I have seen so many people have to back out of showing if they don’t fit into that big money class, or if they get priced out of the industry.  Horses and showing have gotten very expensive.”

Cindy, who has horses with both Jonathan Meilleur and Casey Willis, says she had been thinking about youth like Addison Meilleur after Cindy recently purchased PQHA t-shirts to donate to the youth club to sell.  “Without them coming into the industry, we’re done,” she says.  “Then I thought about trying to do something to sponsor a show tab, since people struggle with the affordability of showing.”

Kristie Patterson came up with the random act of kindness label, and to help the club, Cindy decided to personally pick up the show tab on behalf of both Mike and herself, and the idea went full speed ahead.  “This way, maybe they can afford to come back and do another PQ show.  You gotta give a little to get a little, and I try to live by that philosophy.”

So they had the show office choose an exhibitor through a random drawing so there was no perception of bias. “It happened to be a youth, and they were thrilled, coming by to thank us personally afterward. It was so sweet,” Cindy reveals.

Witnessing the act of paying it forward was refreshing, says Kathy Avolt of An Equine Production. “Any exhibitor that chooses to do something like this is truly a generous person. They are not out for the promotion but to help out another person in our industry.”

Cindy explains that she had originally been inspired by her trainers, Casey and Jonathan, who work together for her best interest, demonstrating humility and generosity. In fact, it was Jonathan’s idea as current PQHA President for Cindy and Kristie to run for the board because they both own businesses.  “Jonathan thought our being self-employed would provide some new perspective for the club,” Cindy says.

Kathy adds that an idea like this is a great chance for all shows and clubs to promote an exhibitor.  “Every show and association has their special ways of rewarding their loyal exhibitors. Sometimes it’s with lots of parties, random draws, etc. Each show works very hard to reward their exhibitor base.”

For Cindy, she says, “This was an opportunity for people like me who are fortunate to give back and hopefully this will encourage others to keep it going. I’m going to do it at all three PQHA shows this year!”

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Thank you to Cindy for allowing us to share this inspirational story and to Kathy Avolt for keeping our readers in the know about this amazing industry! Keep scrolling for candid photos from AE Photography, and from the PQHA page, posted with PQHA permission. We also have a gallery from Raina Parsons, so keep scrolling to see all!

Candid photos from AE Photography at the PQHA Summer Kick Off (order your photos here – Ashleigh Brown | PQHA Spring Kickoff 2023 (aephotographyzenfolio.com)):

 

Photos from the PQHA Exhibitors:

Thank you to Raina Parsons for the great candid gallery below!