For Immediate Release
May 31, 2006

KyQHA President’s Message

In this issue you will find information about some of our Kentucky youths. I still remember vividly my days as a youth involved with horses. Man, those were the good old days!

As parents, we want to see our kids happy and successful. Those are simple words, but for too many kids these days the challenges of just being kids are overwhelming. Peer pressure, gangs, violence, temptation are just a few of the challenges facing our youths. However, present something to youths to focus upon, be it soccer, dance, band or in our case the American Quarter Horse, and for the majority of kids that I see, special things start to happen. Presenting such an opportunity to kids is, in my opinion, the responsibility we have as parents.

Taking that opportunity and making something of it is, in my opinion, the responsibility of our kids. There seems to be something in the water around Kentucky. Lots of little kids are appearing. They will be horse kids I’m sure. At least I hope they will be horse kids and find themselves too darn busy, and tired, at the end of a day to be lead astray. I hope their parents are right there at their side every minute, not only watching out for them, but for all the other kids at the trail ride, horse show or horse activity.

I would like to share with you an experience our family had with another family we know. It was just about a year ago, and some friends of ours had their phone ring in the middle of the night. If you know where this story is going, you are right. Read further, because fortunately, in this case, the story has a good ending. “Your son has been in a terrible accident” was the caller’s message. The parent’s response? “But that can’t be, he is upstairs in his bed.” I can only imagine opening the door to find the bed empty.

It was true, a good boy, and a mischievous kid. Maybe a kid that always wanted to have the attention, being the oldest of four children in the family, and frankly doing some pretty creative things to get that attention. This time, he made a mistake. It could have been that same mistake that you made as a kid, the same mistake that I made as a kid, but we were fortunate to escape the consequences. This boy was not. A car full of teenagers, a terrible accident, severe head trauma, prognosis grave were the facts. I will tell you, I was physically ill when I heard of the accident. Then I became mad. How could he do this to his parents? How did his parents allow this to happen? I was sick. He survived the accident. Over the next several weeks he remained in a coma, non-responsive. Pressure on his brain necessitated removing a portion of his scalp to allow the brain some relief. Slowly, very slowly, little hope became a glimmer of hope, to a possibility of survival. The future was uncertain, but at least life was possible.

As the weeks passed, infection set in, other complications arose, the faith of the family prevailed. It was not this boy’s time. The difference was literally the width of hairs. Upon arrival at the trauma unit, there was glass, from where he went through the windshield, on the lining of the brain. Just before we left for the youth world show in 2005, we made a visit to the rehabilitation center. The fourth floor was where his room was. I was not sure how my boys would react, nor had I ever been exposed to a severe head trauma patient. To say the least, the experience our family shared was sobering when we visited his room. Not a word was spoken on the ride home from the rehabilitation center. I think we were all sick, hopeful, and shared an experience that we will never forget. Miracles do happen, and I am happy to say that a full recovery has occurred.

The lesson for all of us, and yes I particularly mean the youth that are reading this column, is that life is fragile. Your participation with horses, and everything else you know in life, could be over in a flash. Think before you act. Consider the consequences of your actions. Parents give your kids a hug, and kids give your parents a hug. I take great pride in doing that to my kids at the most inopportune time (for them).

I am proud of our youth and their association, their accomplishments, their desires to assume leadership and get involved. It is interesting to see their biological sketches for those who choose to run for a Kentucky Quarter Horse Youth Association office, their accomplishments at horse shows, their scholarship applications, and where they go off to school. We share lots of experiences with our American Quarter Horses, whether you own for recreations purposes, trail ride, show, breed; regardless if you are a professional, amateur or youth. We are all privileged to have the opportunity to enjoy the horse, and enjoy the ride. As president of the KyQHA, I hope that you are enjoying your experience with your horse. I want the KyQHA to be a part of that enjoyment. And in particular, I hope you look back many years from now and say, “those were the good old days.”

Sincerely,

Norm Luba
KyQHAPresident