Extraordinary horses [was Arabic Name Help]

[Lif Strand <fasterhorses@gilanet.com>]

This came off one of the Arab lists.  Every breed has something
extraordinary to offer.  Lif

> A young lady from Region 13, Erin Andrews from
> Dexter Michigan,  was named IAHA Youth of the Year and presented
> this speech at the recent IAHYA convention during Youth Nationals in
> Oklahoma.   I think this should be required reading for
> anyone  of any age who gets involved with Arabian
> horses!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>
> "The first thing I want to say is how honored I feel to be up here
> today. Being awarded IAHA Youth of the Year is the greatest honor I've
> ever had.
> Today I'm going to share a story about my experiences  with showing
> Arabians and reaching my goals.
>
> When I first started riding, I began to compete at local open shows and
> in 4-H competitions.  I had a lot of fun during those years, but one
> thing
> that I always wanted to do was show my mare, Letty, at Arab shows. Well,
> I got my chance and was able to go to some class A shows in Regions 13
> and 14. In 1999, my final year as a junior exhibitor, I had a goal for
> myself and Letty. I really wanted to earn a Regional Top Five. I knew our
> best chance was going to be in Halter Showmanship. We had done pretty
> well in that class, winning a few blues and also placing high in very
> competitive classes at the 'A' shows.
>
> When the time came for my Regional showmanship class at Region 14, I was
> all set. I had put together a new western outfit, and Letty was spotless
> and shining. I was extremely nervous, but still excited. The class was
> very long because there were so many horses in it. I could see my best
> friend Nancy and her dad up in the stands watching me. I could see all
> the people I knew and I wanted to make them proud.
>
> We had a pretty good class and I thought I probably had a chance at
> making Top Five. But there were a lot of very nice horses and excellent
> handlers.  As the announcer called out numbers for Top Five, my
> number was not called. I looked at Letty and I could feel my eyes filling
> with tears. I thought I was going to be disappointed about not reaching
> my goal, but I wasn't. All of the sudden I remembered the first time I
> saw Letty, 5 years before. I remembered how beautiful she was to me. And
> when I looked at her in that Regional class, her beauty shone right
> through.
>
> I remembered my first time on an Arabian horse, a very gentle gelding
> named Raftep. All I could think about was how far all of us had come.
> Letty was never considered a great show horse by anybody. She was never
> very special to anyone. But when I met her, I knew she could do it. And
> she took me a long way. In that moment, during that class, when I failed
> to reach my goal, I realized what was really important. 
>
> I asked myself... would I rather be holding the lead of a champion halter
> horse that would have won that class, or would I rather be showing Letty?
> I didn't have to think twice. Her dedication and willingness to work with
> me was worth more than any ribbon could be. I have always heard the
> saying that "the eyes are the doorway to the soul." When I
> looked into Letty's eyes, I could see straight into her soul, pure and
> full of love. I knew how much she loved and trusted me.
>
> And that's what's so special about the Arabian. If you've ever bonded
> with one, truly bonded, you know what I mean. You know, that certain
> horse that taught you so much? The one who's mane you cried into when you
> were sad?  The one who could always make you feel better? You're
> soulmate? That's what Letty is for me.
>
> I've never felt more proud to be a part of her life than at Region 14
> when I did not take a Top Five. Every one of those people in the stands
> was proud of both Letty and me. It didn't matter to them what place we
> got, and that is the best feeling in the world. I learned a lesson that
> day, one that I will never forget. So, it is my objective to be a
> protector for all of our wonderful Arabians... the champions of the
> showring, the endurance race, but most of all, the champions of the
> heart."
>
> Jan's note - For those of you who don't know about Erin, she is a
> sophomore at Michigan State going through all the life changes that being
> 19 brings.  she has a maturity that is beyond her years - I have
> only had the pleasure of "knowing" Erin through the internet
> but I have been so impressed with her thoughts on life.  My
> admiration went up even further when I learned that Erin is a congenital
> triple amputee - she has no legs and only one arm - but shows halter and
> showmanship in a wheelchair, and also competes under saddle - very
> competitively, according to judge Jan Decker.   When she
> mentions trust between horse and rider, she knows what she is talking
> about!  .  Her speech sure makes you sit back and examine your
> priorities, doesn't it?

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