RIDE HOST ACCOLADES
I first met Kenny Harlow at Horse Expo and was impressed with his seminar. I spoke with him about my fear, explaining that a friend had been killed on a horse during my childhood, and now as an adult I carried a tremendous fear, yet I so desperately wanted to ride again.
Kenny's down to earth, heart warming personality is refreshing and makes you feel very comfortable when explaining your fears and concerns. I booked a private session and he promised he would stay true to his motto "Training With Trust". He let me know right up front that he would raise the fear level a little, but then back it off to give me relief, like stair steps. I can remember shaking with fear and tears running down my face but agreeing and at the same time, knowing in my heart that I could trust him.
He understood my fear and respected it. In one day I was not only riding my horse but cantering in the round pen with my arms out to my side as he would signal the horse to change direction. At the end of the day he put a $5 bill under my leg and told me if I could canter around with my arms out and not touch the saddle horn for 3 circles, the $5 was mine. It was not the money but the pride in myself of how far we had come that day, I just had to try. I still have the $5 bill as a reminder of how far I had come.
That day, he not only helped my healing process, he taught me to believe in myself.
Moving forward less than a year later, Kenny and ACTHA's Robin Tilghman talked to me about ACTHA. I am not a competitive person so I did not understand why they recommended a judged trail ride to someone who was still working on just staying on the top side of their horse. The next thing we know my husband and I starting riding in ACTHA rides together because that is all ACTHA is; people having fun on a trail ride that has obstacles you try to do your best at. Yes, you are judged, but it is all in fun.
ACTHA Monthly | January 2015 | 2
By the end of the year our daughter and her friend joined us on our ACTHA rides. It has become a family past time we love. The people are like family and everyone is willing to help each other. ACTHA has helped build my confidence, and our teenage daughter spends more time working on obstacles and less time worrying about social media. Our family as a whole has become closer thanks to Kenny and ACTHA.
I am so thankful that I took that leap of faith and believed in Kenny Harlow and his motto "Training With Trust".
Kenny Harlow, Virginian Clinician and ACTHA Ride Host
By ACTHA Memeber, Kim Meyers of Maryland