Trading Horses For Balloons

The last two weeks have been like a dream. Not in a floating above the sky, flying with the birds kind of dream. More of a I-can't-believe-this-is-really-happening and I-can't-believe-that-I-actually-did-it kind of dream. Two weeks ago, I finally stood up for myself and decided I needed a drastic change in my life. I resigned from my position as the Youth & Family Programs and Marketing Coordinator for the Arabian Horse Association.

After six years with the Association, it was finally time to move on. I don't really want to dwell on the details, but sometimes enough, is enough. I have had my fill of sacred cows.

Regardless of the lows, I truly will miss this job. In a way, it was my once in a life time job. My entire life has revolved around horses. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to submerge my whole self in the horse industry. Like every other teenage girl, I once dreamed of being a veterinarian.

In college, I thought I really wanted to be a professional horse trainer. I still fancy the idea but realize that for the average person, it doesn't really pay the bills, it's not always family friendly (especially for women), and it can physically be a really hard life. I did learn while I was a trainer that I loved working with people, especially kids, and their horses. At the tail end of my college days, I fell in love with 4-H and extension work. I really wanted to become a 4-H county agent. I was passionate about kids, horse and educational programs. Unfortunately, there weren't any open positions in Colorado when I graduated and I didn't want to relocate away from my family - okay, and Handy Man.

I spent some time managing a restaurant right after college, but I missed the horses. I was offered another training position and spent half a year working horses - I would rather be a drifter in a saddle than passing time behind a bar.

Somewhere along the way, I found myself getting hired for AHA as a Customer Service Representative. I assumed it would be just another stepping stone along my path of figuring out what I was going to do with my life. And it was. Only it was a step in the right direction. The direction of kids and horses.

Regardless of my frustrations and the problems at AHA, I have to say that I learned so much there. I was a part of so many great events. I met so many wonderful families. I was able to watch amazing horses. I made so many friends.

But most of all, I mentored some of the most accomplished, dedicated young equine enthusiasts around.

As I sift though my mind, nostalgia surrounds me and I can't help but know I am going to deeply, to the center of my core, miss it all.

I didn't get to attend the Derby, but I was able to visit Churchill Downs for the first time and take a few of my youth kids with me.

 This was probably my favorite place I got to visit, because of my job.

We toured the museum.

I raced a stallion out of the gates.

We saw Secretariats blanket of roses.

We stood at the rail, right at the finish line and were amazed at the feeling. And although it was quiet, the stands empty, by heart settled in my throat. 

A check of the old bucket list.

I met a lot of people along the way. Horsemen and women, industry professionals, breeders... I met so many people around the country and internationally - all because of the horse. 

I always enjoyed planning the March Board meeting every spring. I was able to show these kids from all over the US and Canada my home state. I chaperoned around 25 kids for three days and really get to now them. Over the years I took them on a tour of the equine facility at Colorado State University (my Alma Mater.)

Red Rocks Amphitheater was a hit the first time that I took this year's board there in March. 

The US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Call me Wonder Woman... 

I even braved the Denver light rail system the last two years in order to haul 25+ teenage girls down town on a Friday night so we could have our Board Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe Denver. 2011 was a sight. I was 7 months pregnant, all by myself, mother hen in full swing as I corralled a bunch of gawking, yapping girls down 16th Street. I was amazed I didn't end up in premature labor from the stress. 

Such a great group of kids I have been fortunate enough to get to know.

We laughed, they wore silly costumes...

I loved all of my youth kids. But I will have to admit that I am the most fond of my Youth Presidents over the years. I worked the closest with them and naturally became the closest with them and their families.

Kim, Annalise, Austin, Katie, Laura... Although I only shared a small window of their lives, I can't help but feel invested forever.

I met some of the most amazingly dedicated volunteers. Debbie (Annalise's mom) has been my right hand momma over the years. She served as Chair of the Youth Committee and waded through the trenches setting up Convention, organizing consignment sales and silent auctions and collecting hundreds of little plastic pigs out of the arena each year for the Flying Pig Toss.  

Nancy was my source of knowledge, my sounding board, my Sunshine, My Only Sunshine... She really did  always find a way to make me happy when skys were gray.

The fact was, with out Debbie, Nancy, Cindy, Stacey, Chuck, Kathy, Mary, and countless moms, I could never have done my job alone. They were my army. My volunteers. They are my friends.

Together, we made this Association FUN for its youth.

We helped them feel important. We affirmed that although they were "just kids" their thoughts, ambitions and ideas really DID MATER! They made a difference. They made positive changes that effected their Association through their AHYA Convention. They had a voice!

This was a day-in-the-life of my job for six years.

Friends.

Horses.

Kids.

Fun.

The second best part of my job was AHA's flexibility to take my family with me. As a new, young mother, twelve days is a long time to be away from a newborn. This was my greatest benefit as an employee. I will always value this. 

Without a doubt, this opportunity and benefit helped foster my Brown Eyed Girl's love for horses. 

Of course it was still work... thank God for Grandmas!

My Brown Eyed Girl's first Stick Horse Contest, Youth Nationals 2009.

Halloween at US Nationals.

She LOVED Stick Horse!

Even Mr Blue Eyes competed and won a blue ribbon.

I have spent the better part of the morning sorting and storing the personal items and files I acquired over the last six years of my professional life. It's so strange to think that I won't be headed down Parker Road in the morning. It seems so foreign. I am excited and yet I can't help but feel a little overwhelmed.

Not only did I quit my job, but I am taking the biggest leap of faith and jumping into an entirely different profession. A profession where there are no guarantees. A profession where you have to put in what you expect to get out. A profession of feast or famine. Starting tomorrow, I will be making my debut as a realtor.

I know I can do it. I have the greatest mentor a girl could dream of.

I am excited!

My heart will take a little time to make the shift. Kids. Horses. 

Thank you AHYA, the kids, volunteers, members and Arabian horses. I will always support you. And I will miss you!