What I Wished I Knew Before My Kids Started Showing Horses
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140 – March/April, 2017
By Paige Morgan
For those who have grown up around horses, the question of why parents would want to get their children involved in the world of competitive horse showing seems like a silly one. To an outsider, it appears to be an incredibly expensive and time-consuming endeavor, and it is without a doubt. Is the expense really worth the reward?
When we asked several parents why they felt horse showing was important to the development of their children, we received many typical, and a few surprising, replies. In addition to the obvious benefits of growing as a horseman, learning discipline, and fostering a good work ethic, having the opportunity to become part of something larger than themselves was a benefit that was echoed across the board.
Debby Brehm, mother of 24-year-old Morgan Brehm, has seen the positive impact of the horse community’s network in her daughter’s life. “I think it’s been a great impact on our lives, because we have friends now from all over the country.”
Jane Huver echoes a similar sentiment for her own daughters Liza and Livvie. “We have met so many incredible people by showing horses. We have some very dear friends that we consider our horse show family. Even though our daughter Liza doesn’t get to show right now, she’s still part of the Highpoint Show Horses family. She’ll show up to any shows she can and cheer everyone on,” she says.
She continues, “When we go to Texas to ride, we have horse show family there. We have friends who open their homes and their hearts to us, and we consider them family. If they ever wanted to come to Green Bay, for any reason, we would do the same.”
The gift of having the opportunity to be a competitive equestrian goes hand in hand with learning responsibility and time management. In addition to riding and competing at the highest level in their respective disciplines, these kids are all working toward goals in and out of
the arena. The group, as a whole, is motivated and well-versed in time management skills. They balance school, horses, and other extracurricular activities.
140 – March/April, 2017
