Quarters By Coyle's

The fun and excitement of fair time.  The Fillmore County Fair is going on this week, take some time and drive on over to take a look at all the exhibits and you will see all the hard work the kiddos have put into their projects from livestock to non-livestock.  We went to the rodeo last night and looked at all the exhibits afterwards.  Now that the boys are too old to be in 4-H we don't have the hussle and bussle of preparing for the fair and the week long "vacation" we spent at the fair grounds.  We are still involved to some extent with the fair as I have lesson kids showing horse and horse related projects along with nieces and nephews showing other species.  The rodeo was a blast as the "Hippy" the clown was hilarious to watch and listen to.  He did a great job of entertaining the crowd both Wed and Tuesday night as Tuesday was the  bull riding event.  I had to have the usual funnel cake while Randy enjoyed a pork burger. 

As a coach to lesson kids I needed to instill in them that it is not all about the color of the ribbon that they receive.  It is about how they have progressed in their learning to ride, mastering an event or obstacle and how well their ride went.  It is about learning new skills, becoming better at what they do be it getting the correct diagonal in English, getting the correct lead at the lope, side passing over the pole, opening and shutting the gate, or running the poles or barrels without knocking.  It is all a learning experience and you have to be proud at what you have accomplished in the last year.  It is also about becoming a better partner with your horse and being a team player and helping out other kids in the horse project.  The time at the fair is to grow friendships, learn new skills, be a team player and learn to have an open mind about any changes that come  your way and take it all in stride.  The fair is for memories to be made and cherished.  Have fun and enjoy yourself, your family and  your best friend, the equine.