I begin this post with some trepidation. My reluctance is based on personal, firsthand experience. Experiences I don’t often like to discuss. I prefer to discuss things that are forward moving. Negative experiences can be a backward movement. However, I have encountered some unpleasant situations of recent that moved me to approach this subject in depth, with heart.

In the faith based world we are taught to be humble of spirit…Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. -Eph 4:2-3

What does this mean then? For me it means to be open and willing to accept input from others. Willing to share in other people’s experiences. Not to let my own insecurities, feelings of inadequacy stand in the way of my ability to grow in wisdom. The whole point of emotional maturity is about the brain’s collective experiences, and it’s ability to properly attach the correct emotions to those experiences. Emotions are not merely anger, joy, sadness, happiness, but something more in-depth. Emotional maturity is a process of the brain, not the heart.

Not all emotions are properly seated in the correct place, and thus we find ourselves in a conundrum of mixed “feelings”. Feelings will direct us to wrong conclusions most of the time. However, an awareness of how these feeling are affecting our personal biases can go a long way to being a person of humility.

This brings me to the subject of the matter. Lack of humility. There seems to be a growing trend of horsemanship trainers, and clinicians who have developed an ‘ego-centric’ philosophy to their teaching. An almost “it’s may way or the highway”, “my clinic, my rules” attitude. Comments such as,”Don’t offer unsolicited advice, and hold all questions until the end” have been expressed often. My issue with this type of attitude is that it is neglectful, and disregards those individuals who have sacrificed their personal resources to attend a clinic in an effort to get resolution to a problem. Furthermore, this attitude is not humble in any way, shape or form. This attitude suggests that the facilitator is the only one in the “know”, and that to offer, suggest, or question would be undermining that facilitators supposed authority. Well, to that I refer back to what one of my best coaches told me when I was competing in Professional BullRiding, he said this to me, “Annie, there is always someone better, and somebody younger, you just need to be the best you can be and not worry about the rest.” That one piece of advice has served me well over the years. There is a small taste of humility if one truly looks into that statement.

If I pay to go to a clinic, or webinar, or hired a coach I do so with the expectation of learning something, or fixing an issue. I am not there to stroke an ego, be put down for knowing something new and innovative, nor am I there to “rub elbows”. This is not to say that I should “take over” the clinic at all. However, I have been in this industry for more than 45 years, and I will admit that I get emotionally charged when someone allows their own insecurities to put me down in an effort to suppress my input. I believe we should always be learning, trying new things, and never get stagnate. Yes, it can be difficult to participate when “you” are one who has a great deal of knowledge and wisdom, but we are never the authority of that knowledge. That authority remains with the one who gives the knowledge. For me that is The Lord above.

Often I have heard people in the horsemanship community spouting about this certification and that certification. Well, I’m sorry to have to rebuke this notion but I have not choice. First of all, there is no “official” horsemanship certification, but the school of hard knocks, and experience. Producing a piece of paper to legitimize someone’s professed knowledge is not an indication of aptitude, or ability to do what they profess. You must be able to demonstrate what you profess to know how to do.

I have completed numerous training programs, by some of the most well known industry trainers, and practitioners all over the world. But, this doesn’t mean I am proficient in the task. Proficiency comes from the ability to demonstrate whatever it is one professes to know how to do. To that, I will add that certification merely represents that an individual has completed the required standards as set forth by the individual, or body of certification. In essence, that individual is “yoking” themselves to that person, or institution, and is therefore bound by their rules. In no way does that certification, nor could it for legal reasons, convey aptitude or abilities of the person being certified.

For example; I am a body work practitioner. Suffice it to say, I have completed the necessary time, resources, and a requirements for certification, but have chosen not to request a certificate. Not certifying is a common practice of mine. I do not want to unnecessarily “yoke” myself with anyone from the standpoint that I need to stand on my own merit, or not at all. If I can do the work efficiently, that is the proof that I am who I say I am, not a piece of paper. There are a few other reasons I don’t certify, but that is a conversation for another time. So, as far as I am concerned, a piece of paper means nothing to me unless you can do the thing to which you claim.

This being said, I find that the lack of humility has much to do with all the supposed accolades that some of these trainers, and clinicians feel they need to taut. There is not humility in bragging. Word of mouth is the best marketing tool there is, and it only takes one unhappy participant to change everything. There is no certificate to date that can change a bad experience.

What now? What if you have been the unwitting victim of ridicule by one of these trainers, or clinicians? First of all, let me express my sincerest regret that you have had that unfortunate experience. However, don’t loose hope because there are many qualified individuals who are not seeking an audience. You can use these experiences to filter who is right for you, and who is not. Most of all remember that you are footing the bill, and if the rules are not laid out in advance of your attendance then I would take issue with deception. You are not, nor should you be there to pad someone else’s ego! It’s a training clinic, not an exhibition! You should be there to gain insight, and wisdom. Exhibitions, and training clinics are two entirely separate events, and they should be.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage you to explore more of what the horsemanship world has to offer as far as insight. There are new innovations, new ways to learn, and more effective uses of your resources now than ever before. One of the biggest questions you can ask the facilitator or clinician prior to signing up, “Is this clinic about you or about me?” You might be surprised at the answer. All in all I wish you and your horse all my love in Christ Jesus, and happy tails!

Annie 🙂