In Search of Role Models

With the recent fall from grace of Tiger Woods, we once again see that the public image may not always be the reality of the situation.

Tiger serves as a reminder that when you are a superstar in any sport, people look up to you. Whether you realize it or not, you do become a role model. And with that title comes responsibility for your actions.

Most professional horse trainers probably do not see themselves as role models, yet to thousands of youth, amateurs and owners who participate in the equine industry, these professionals take on rock star status. People all over the world watch and emulate their practices - both in the arena and in their personal lives.

Do we expect too much of them? Perhaps. Humans are imperfect by nature, and holding them up to a perfect standard may be too high of a measure.

But we should be able to expect humane, respectful treatment of our animals, respect for their fellow competitors and an unselfish desire to better our breeds, our disciplines and our industry in general. When one of those three areas is breached, it is usually because of self interest.

When a trainer really looks at the best interest of the animal, the mental and physical health of the horse remains the paramount concern. There is no "winning at all costs" attitude. It takes courage and conviction to follow this honest and ethical route.

Competitors make us all better at our craft. We can all learn from each others' triumphs as well as their mistakes. Degrading another professional decreases public confidence in professional horsemen and hurts the industry. It makes me think of the old George Strait song "Every Time You Throw Dirt On Me, You Lose A Little Ground."

Giving back to the industry is also not an easy task. The hours of meetings that take professional horsemen and horse owners away from their livelihoods, costing a great deal of time and money. Yet many gladly make such sacrifices to improve rules, develop new programs and generate interest in the horse industry. Kudos to all those brave souls who lead, meet and continue to build a better mousetrap!

As professional horsemen go about their work, I hope that they will remember their impact as role models in our industry. By following humane treatment of the horses, respecting fellow professionals, and working for the betterment of the industry, professional horsemen will go a long way in fulfilling a positive public image.