28 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
How Do You Survive Season?
By Laura Danowski
Regardless of how you prepare for the ride of “season” associated with the Wellington
Equestrian Festival – ready or not – it happens. The 12 weeks of competing, socializing and
adventure management are probably the longest “eight-seconds” for people in the industry.
Here’s how some hang-on:
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James Gilchrist and his family, Dr Kimberley
Snyder and their sons Tanner, Justin and Brady
Photo courtesy of Kim Gilchrist
Jessica Jo Tate
Photo courtesy of JJ Tate
Jessica Jo Tate
, Dressage Rider
Chesapeake City, MD
Be Grateful Every Day
– “Anyone who gets to be
in south Florida, surrounded by the animals we love,
doing what we are passionate about, is fortunate.
During this diffcult time in our country, when many
people are struggling, it is a gift to do what we love.
Life with horses is a roller coaster. But when you can
fnd beauty in things on a daily basis and recognize
happiness and health (horses and riders), it’s easy to
“not sweat the small stuff!”
James Gilchrist
, Farrier
Loxahatchee, FL
Begin with the End in Mind
– “Over a 35 year career, my
goals have evolved, but my family is the most important thing.
My team and I, who are also family men, survive season by
managing our time and shoeing right the frst time – we don’t
short-cut anything. Our clients are the horses, and if they can
do their job better, then everyone is happy. Unless it’s an
emergency, we rarely work weekends. Since I live in South
Florida, once season is done, our work load goes on “island
time” which is fne with me.”