HGG Community Forums

I agree. My school had a good idea. Build near a community college so kids can walk across the street and take college classes. If possible build near a public library so students can have the resources that you would find there. Have an equine facility so students can learn how to ride and have horses for the vet science kids can learn and then intern locally.

Although University of Montana has my sister 20 minutes away and a cheap location for my horse I wasn't particularly attracted by it. They have a good athletics program. But the only other degree of note was a biophysics.

I did Khan Academy a little bit but not as much as I should. I know they try to help you out by suggesting the skill you last missed on a test but it would recommend things that were a '4" skill level and skipping the 2's. I just looked up collegeprepgenius. They have prep class two hours away that I might make it to. Although they talk strategy and what I really need is a basic review of some of the algebra stuff that I forgot. That was the problem that I have with the class I took that a lady put on for schools in my area.

Aw, shame we missed ya! I’m a Boise dweller myself. It’s a great college, though I’m going there for their raptor program next year rather than anything equine (they’ve the only raptor research program of it’s kind, and it’s beautiful :x )

Couldn’t give you a tour myself (finishing what I can do at a nearby community college right now, it’s cheaper) but I’d love to meet up for a cup of coffee! Could also show you around the World Center for Birds of Prey if you were interested. :D

Dad says that would be great if we could do something in the morning. But after that we’re goung to start heading south again

Sounds great! Excited that we can make a meeting work this time!

I called and talked to the english IEA coach today. She sounds very nice. I like her a lot. A couple bumps in the road, but I still think its a good deal. To participate in all of the competitions is about 1100$.... ouch.... But if you think about the fact that it is 5 shows it doesn't sound that horrible. However she has all of her jumping team slots filled, and is desperate for a flat only rider. I would be willing to do that, but I really wanted jumping lessons.... I was hoping I could still get them but just not compete but we weren't on the same page about that. Since I am a full 1 1/2 away from her ranch (if we left directly from my school, 2 hours if we left from home) she wouldn't expect me to come for very many practices. (although for the western team I did drive and hour and 15 minutes once a week to attend practices). I would be willing to do that again, but although I asked her 3 separate times how much she charged team members for lessons I never got a response.

So basically I would get to compete IEA and have the resume boost, but would only get experience at 5 shows, Also its 1100$ which is a lot to me as Mom is already paying for my horse and can't pay for anything else, and not sure how I could get Dad to pay for that. Possibly my allowance but I use that for gas for my car, emergency food and put the rest directly in my college fund.... Mom thinks I might get sponsors but I'm really not sure.... And no jumping at all.

Awesome! Good luck!

Ok, thank you for the input! I am definitely worried about how much of a load the classes will be. I'm just in high school and already feel buried... I'm sitting waiting for a precalculus class...

The team is starting to sound less and less like the right thing but I still hope that I can keep my horse.



Show went mostly good! It wasn't as big/competitive as some of them. The person I used to tie for highpoints with moved up to amateur. As well as another girl I know. And there was a couple 13+under people that moved up to my age group. Then a couple people new to showing came to this show. No one was in my showmanship class so even with a few booboos I still got first. Hunter Under Saddle (which is my best class by far, and Lexi has a superiour in) was a DISASTER! There's lots of theories on what went wrong, but even with the video no one can really tell what came first. Things were going fairly good the first direction, just slightly too fast at the trot. When I tried to slow her down with my seat (which is normally more than enough at home) nothing happened. So I told her "easy" which again is normally more than enough and she still didn't listen. Finally I started pulling back with the reins which I never do. So not good, but still not disastrous yet. I kept her too slow at the canter but disaster struck when reversed.... She immediately started anticipating the canter off so started jogging in place.... But when we stopped and back instead she was somewhat resistant.... Then to my horror when we finally did lope up she purposefully brought out her hip, and loped off on the wrong lead. Which has never ever happened. Carla thinks I was just stressed out from the camera being there. Mom thinks I didn't lunge Lexi enough. I think that maybe Lexi did so many HUS classes when she was younger she's starting to anticipate.

Equitation was OK. Even got a first. Our canter offs were unusually "bumpy" but that was it.

Sunday, western day started off rocky in the trail, but that's ok because we're both new to trail. Carla was disappointed and wouldn't let me do a second trail class but oh well. Then Sunday got awesome!!!! We are NOT good at western pleasure, but we were consistent, and kept her as close as I could and got a 2nd under one judge and a 4th from the other. (which is enough to get a national paint horse point). Horsemanship was even better! We got 1st under both judges in one class, and a 1st and 2nd in another! Who knew that I would get western points on Lexi before english points! Not sure if the videos of english day are salvageable but for sure something from western has to be good. I'll be sure to share as we start editing them. (If I can figure out how to without youtube)

It's OK to be worried about balancing your course load and being on the team. I'd be more concerned if you weren't! The one good thing about not being recruited is that you can take a year and get used to college life and then go out for the team if you want to.

I'm sorry that your English classes didn't go the way you were hoping they would. It could have been a combination of things... The camera (and pressure to make it good), anticipation, nerves from showing and competing if you haven't been in the ring for a bit, etc etc. *waves hands* Nothing to be worried about... Try imagining you're being filmed whenever you go for a training ride, maybe it'll help take any pressure you may have felt knowing the camera was there.

Filling out the Flinn scholarship today...

Ooh essays! Love those! :D

The best writing advice I have ever been given so far (and you've probably already heard it too) is show, don't tell. Bring the reader in and let them experience what you experienced!

You have a limited word count, so I would ask yourself what small, short experiences (3 sentences or less) were most meaningful or relevant to you during your time on the judging team, tell the story, hook the reader, and then expand to tie the story back to the prompt.

That is my general formula, but it's something that I've found fits my writing style well. Another structure might work better for you, but I hope this helps. :)

How does this look for "Describe a time in your life when you had a central role in accomplishing something important that could not have been accomplished alone or without partnership. What lessons did you learn from that experience?" (300 words)






When I look back at all of my triumphs, there is one, to me that stands out to me as a good example of why having a strong team is important. Being a horse enthusiast, I gravitated to the horse judging team as a freshman at my school. Having extensive prior experience in equestrian events I found myself at the advantage. Our first two practice competitions were successes and as a team we placed well, and as an individual I placed well. I was chosen as one of the four representatives from my school to compete at our state competition. The first year I was ecstatic when it was announced that I was 5th high individual. But as a team we only placed 9th.
That competition, I learned an important lesson. In addition to being as strong of an individual, but to be successful we must work as a team, and be unified with everyone fulfilling their role. The following year we worked together as much as possible to help with others weak areas in judging. We made a website, quizzed each other, practiced reasons, and traveled outside of school to get more practice. We blasted through the first two competitions, and our “A” team ended up having two new members but we were a close-knit team, and took overall highest horse judging team in the state, and would now represent Arizona at FFA Nationals. Instead of relaxing and sitting back we continued to practice over summer. We tried as many different approaches as we could, and ultimately placed 7th in the nation. FFA Nationals was one of the most impactful experiences in my life, and I will never forget it.

Thank you! Off to Texas right now