Growing up, I was never the kid who was going to own a horse.  A lesson or two a week, and the chance to show a stable horse in the local barn show was the most I could hope for.  I believe that showing and competition are just a small part of what riding is.  The everyday rides, horsemanship and learning is what matters most for me, and for my horses.  I believe that being with horses teaches more than riding; it helps you grown as an individual, work as a team, and learn how to be a good sportsman.  It instills the qualities of empathy, humility, and responsibility for something greater than oneself.  Above all, horses teach us how to take those learning opportunities and make ourselves better, and that hard work always pays off.