May the Horse Be with You Always

Although the AHP “May the Horse Be with You” Seminar may be over, the phrase is lingering. While I spent much of my time during the seminar behind the scenes making sure the event ran smoothly, I was well aware that the horse plays a huge role in the success of this publishing conference.

It’s the horse that brings us all together. Whether we write about them, photograph them, or manufacture products for them, the love that attendees have for the horse is center stage.

Students who meet for the first time share a room and their dreams making them instant friends. At a table for two, strangers become collaborators at a speed networking session. Speakers inspire, enlighten, and create excitement in both publishing veteran and young professionals. And if it wasn’t for the horse, this wouldn’t happen.

The AHP seminar is a place where all breeds and disciplines come together as one. We are mentoring, encouraging, and sharing. We attend to become better communicators, to partner with equine businesses and media, and to improve our skills. The end result is that attendees care about the horse in their personal and work lives.

I love hearing the excitement in the voice of an awards winner who has just read the judge’s comment on their entry and discovered that the judge understood and recognized the emotion and hard work that made the story a winner.

BB-8 returns to Home Base

Many of us teared up when the hosts on the tours related stories that showed the depth of their love for the horse. It's a tug on our hearts when we feel the passion in their voices as they talk about the horses in their lives and the importance of taking care of them.

It’s the thrill we all have watching horses perform. We don’t mind the flies, the hot sun, or the sudden downpour; we are happy to be there among people who love the experience as much as we do. As one member said on the tour, “This is better than a day at Disney.”

There is much to be gained by attending an AHP seminar…education, partnerships, jobs, friendships, new business. But the biggest win is not the awards plaque or the time away from the office. It’s the emotions we nurtured together on these four days in Orlando that will make us better in our jobs. That emotion is our love for the horse. As Yoda says, “Always pass on what you have learned.” This is what I have learned at the Orlando seminar.

 

May the horse be with you always,

Chris aka Obi Wan Kenobi

P.S. There is a ton of information to be shared after a seminar. We will notify the members as content is posted to the AHP Members Only page online at www.americanhorsepubs.org. 

May the Horse Be with You Always

Although the AHP “May the Horse Be with You” Seminar may be over, the phrase is lingering. While I spent much of my time during the seminar behind the scenes making sure the event ran smoothly, I was well aware that the horse plays a huge role in the success of this publishing conference.

It’s the horse that brings us all together. Whether we write about them, photograph them, or manufacture products for them, the love that attendees have for the horse is center stage.

Students who meet for the first time share a room and their dreams making them instant friends. At a table for two, strangers become collaborators at a speed networking session. Speakers inspire, enlighten, and create excitement in both publishing veteran and young professionals. And if it wasn’t for the horse, this wouldn’t happen.

The AHP seminar is a place where all breeds and disciplines come together as one. We are mentoring, encouraging, and sharing. We attend to become better communicators, to partner with equine businesses and media, and to improve our skills. The end result is that attendees care about the horse in their personal and work lives.

I love hearing the excitement in the voice of an awards winner who has just read the judge’s comment on their entry and discovered that the judge understood and recognized the emotion and hard work that made the story a winner.

BB-8 returns to Home Base

Many of us teared up when the hosts on the tours related stories that showed the depth of their love for the horse. It's a tug on our hearts when we feel the passion in their voices as they talk about the horses in their lives and the importance of taking care of them.

It’s the thrill we all have watching horses perform. We don’t mind the flies, the hot sun, or the sudden downpour; we are happy to be there among people who love the experience as much as we do. As one member said on the tour, “This is better than a day at Disney.”

There is much to be gained by attending an AHP seminar…education, partnerships, jobs, friendships, new business. But the biggest win is not the awards plaque or the time away from the office. It’s the emotions we nurtured together on these four days in Orlando that will make us better in our jobs. That emotion is our love for the horse. As Yoda says, “Always pass on what you have learned.” This is what I have learned at the Orlando seminar.

 

May the horse be with you always,

Chris aka Obi Wan Kenobi

P.S. There is a ton of information to be shared after a seminar. We will notify the members as content is posted to the AHP Members Only page online at www.americanhorsepubs.org.