Looking back, I now realize that I (sort of) had a cushioned and extremely lucky landing into my job at the Arizona Beef Council. I fully recognize this can be a rare phenomenon for most college graduates, but I’m so grateful for the good fortune that came my way. I prefaced my statement with “sort of” because I worked hard during my college career to make the connections and built relationships which offered me the opportunity to obtain my current position with the Arizona Beef Council. Today, I’m so extremely grateful to have been placed on this path because this job has led me to discover a passion I would never have known without it.

I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and open spaces and Arizona has no shortage of those things. Growing up, an affinity for the outdoors    started while I worked at a horse training barn in exchange for riding lessons. I found myself counting down the days, hours, and minutes until I was released from the classroom and would be back outside, breathing in the scent of horses and fresh air. Caring for and riding horses is a love I began to develop as a youngster from my mother's tales of her youth spent in the saddle, so when the time came for me to be afforded this opportunity, I was willing to put in the long hours required. In a horse barn is where I learned how to work hard, get the job done, and do it all with a pleasant attitude. I can further credit the University of Arizona and a great club, which was part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, for encouraging my love for the open spaces of Arizona and for converting my love into a real passion for Arizona agriculture.

As many young college students do, I set my sites on vet school after completing my undergraduate career. Working outdoors was one major factor in my future path, so small animal medicine just wasn’t in the cards. As a result, livestock and a large animal practice is what I wanted to pursue. I did not have much large animal experience outside of horses, so I decided to join the Collegiate Cattle Growers Association. The group owned and managed a herd of cattle and hogs, which were bred each year with the end goal of raising show quality livestock that could be sold to 4H and FFA students. We also used the animals for judging practice for the University of Arizona's Livestock Judging Team and offered hands-on animal husbandry experiences for students. As luck would have it, this was the perfect environment to pursue the path my heart called for and I so badly wanted to follow. Ultimately, I ended up learning, by and through the people I met and the experiences I obtained, is that what the universe had in store for me, actually far exceeded the original goal and expectations I had set for myself.

It has been an honor to be a part of this industry and through various internships, meetings, and activities, I discovered that Arizona ranchers are some of the hardest working, most passionate, not to mention friendliest people on this planet. I also learned that agriculture was so much more than just the science, which, at first, was the personal interest I had focused on in college. It was about so much more…the land, the people, and the animals, and how they and it all worked together. Moreover, I learned caring for livestock requires more than just a focus on the animal, but a synergy with the land, the policies, the families, the neighbors, and the public. Finally, I understand that raising cattle wasn’t just a pretty photo of a grassy pasture, but a way of life and tradition, which requires all that you have to give.

Although representing Arizona beef farmers and ranchers is the technical description of what I do for the Arizona Beef Council, what I am really doing is helping secure, alongside the many other organizations, ranchers and supporters of the beef community, that there is ranching far into the future. It is my goal and our goal to ensure that beef is still at the center of your great-great-great grandchildren’s plate. For me, this isn’t just a job, it’s about ensuring the open spaces stay open and the steaks keep sizzling.

In my experience as a student (aka poor person) who worked in trade for horseback riding lessons, I count myself extremely lucky to have helped to break out and ride many different types of horses. Facebook inspired me today because my current profile photo is of me on yet another horse I've only ridden a handful of times, which is how most of my riding experiences work.

We have to start at the beginning. With the super broke, sweetheart of a mare named Aziza Rose. She was a breeding mare at an Arabian barn where I began my riding experiences so after tacking up horses for the trainer all day, I would be released to traipse across the horse facility to the far-reaching broodmare pasture to retrieve Aziza. Keep in mind this is when I was a super novice and had a hard time discerning a bay from a chestnut. Funny enough, Aziza was grey. But if you know anything about Arabians, you know grey is a dominant color. And this band of broodmares lived up to the standard. Challenge number one: identify and halter the correct horse for lesson. Aziza made it a little easier on me as she was flea bitten. So that is what I used as her identifier. Case in point. This mare was a saint. She taught me how to have confidence on a horse while learning all the basics.

I rode my fair share of those amazing horses who will pack someone around and just let that person learn. There was Zenda, Milagro, Genelle, Dancer, Ravage, and so many others that I know I'm forgetting. These horses were saints and their owners were so generous to let this newbie flop around on their horses.

Of all the horses I've ever ridden, Prince Andre was the one who took the biggest piece of my heart. He was the horse who came to Trish with a lot of baggage (don't tell her I told you, but he bucked her off. Trish NEVER EVER gets bucked off, so this is a HUGE deal.) and was suppose to be a horse for a timid rider to ride and show. Needless to say, that didn't work out so well. Trish worked long and extremely hard on this horse to fix his naughty ways and as always, was able to fix him and make him safe for someone else to show. Well, that person was me!

Let's flash back to three months or so after I started working/ riding with Trish. I had always had this crazy dream of showing at Youth Nationals. And for whatever reason, my shy teenage-self piped up one day and told Trish of my goal. Mind you she didn't know me well at that point, so she just sort of laughed and smiled and politely brushed it off. A year or so later, I guess she got to know me better and started to understand my determination as she had arranged for me to lease Andre so I could have a national caliber horse to show at Youth Nationals.

Not only did the experience of preparing and eventually showing at Youth Nationals help me to improve my riding, but man did it teach me how to work towards my goals! I worked at the barn Monday - Friday, after school from 2pm to about 7pm and then would get a lesson (time and weather permitting) on Andre. On the weekends, I worked at Papa Johns from 9am - 9pm to pay for his board, shoeing, show entry fees, hauling and other incidentals. High school was (obviously) different for me. I didn't go to dances, no dates, didn't hang out around the mall, or get into any sort of trouble (minus when I got home late from the barn).

We did make it to Youth Nationals. Andre and I showed in one class and didn't make it past the first cut. But it wasn't from lack of quality, try, or hard work. It was nerves, inexperience, and exhaustion (from not eating because I was so nervous) on my part. As an adult when I reflect back on this time in my life, I start to realize what a special horse Andre was and how seriously patient Trish was with me in exchange for nothing but free labor. But seriously, that jury is still deliberating about how helpful my labor really was.

Have you ever noticed how much your thoughts dictate the direction your day goes? For example: I woke up in a funk a few weeks back. Okay, let's be real, it was last Monday. My eyes opened and immediately I thought, "Daaaammmmittt! I have to get out of bed early and be an adult today!" Not the best way to start off a morning. Needless to say, my morning was rushed, traffic sucked, and at work I felt like a hamster on a wheel. Running really fast but getting no where.

Sometimes you need to use your powers for good and not allow the evil thoughts like, "Monday's SUCK!" enter your head. When your are having a bad day, change how you think about it. Say to yourself, "Today is going to rock because I am going to make it rock!" It's not easy, because things will happen which piss you off and you'll have to keep reminding yourself the day does, indeed, still rock despite the setback. Those things won't seem like such a big deal with your positive frame of reference.

Like many people out there waking up is hard and waking up early is even more hard. It's tough to not think about how much it sucks to drag yourself out of bed early in the morning, but try an experiment with me. When you wake up tomorrow let the first thought in your head be something positive. Set the intention the night before and direct yourself there upon waking. Then during the day, keep reminding yourself how great today is and what a wonderful gift you have been given. See how your day proceeds.

I wasn't just handed lessons. I had to work for them. At the tender age of 12, I begged my mother to take me to a local Arabian barn and ask the trainer if I could work in trade for lessons. Luckily, the trainer took a chance and gained some free labor, although the jury is out on how helpful I really was at that point.

Working in trade for lessons and then eventually showing has taught me more life lessons than you would think.

We worked really hard. Proof is in the sweaty nose. 

Hard work pays off. Slacking off just makes you look like an idiot.
Your horse isn't going to lie for you like one of your friends. Even worse, that horse your trainer asked you to lunge down isn't going to lie about how you strolled out to the arena, made him work for 5 whole minutes and then took him back to previously mentioned trainer who  climbs aboard a still energetic and maybe even bucking machine. You can't come back from that. Just hang your head in shame and don't be such a slacker!

Translation to the real world (TTTRW): People notice how you put your whole effort into every task you're handed. This may not sound like a rarity, but in our world it really is. The assignment your boss gave you, which he thought would take you all week? Yeah, it's done in two days and is picture perfect. No bucking from that memo!


Teamwork. It's harder than it looks.
You are riding an animal ten times your size and guess what? He doesn't speak English! This is the ultimate test of teamwork and loops back around to how hard you worked with him. Don't plan to rush the process right before the horse show. It won't work out in your favor and will just frustrate you, your horse, and your poor trainer. Clear communication between horse and rider is established over a period of time in which you displayed patience and understanding while constantly thinking about how you can show him what you are trying to ask.

TTTRW: You have patience with the most absurd, out of this world person who does speak English! You can get the strong headed office bully to think about things differently because you have thought it through and showed him a different way.

Just because your feet are soaked due to a hole in
your boot doesn't mean the work stops. Rock those wet socks!
All. Day. Long.

Did I mention hard work?
I don't think you all get it. Let's talk a typical timeline for a medium size show barn on show day.

5:00 am - Half wake up. Drag yourself to the barn to feed horses. Grab a cup of coffee and listen to the 10,000 horses (this number might be a touch exaggerated) your barn brought to the horse show contentedly chew their hay. Really, that is one of the best sounds in the world.

5:30am - Clean water buckets and refill.

6:00am - Wash horses showing that day. Full on shower with shampoo, conditioner, the works.

6:30am - Braid, saddle, lunge, and bridle the horse who is in the first class of the morning. This horse is most often the one who requires the most work meaning he is either gray, a total shit unless you lunge him for a solid hour, or hates to have his tail braided. Sometimes he encompasses all of the above plus more!

8:00am - Showtime! And don't think you get to show the horse and be done. HA! No. With the million horses waiting back in the barn, you are bound to be on your feet until at least 8pm tonight. Twelve hours from now. They all need their time in the spotlight, too!

10:00pm - Climb into bed after taking a zombie shower. Set your alarm! You have two more days of this!

Triple T RW: Even when you are struggling because there is a huge project you have to get done at work and you've been in the office for 12 hours, you keep on keeping on. Because you don't get to sit back and relax until the work is done. Some days, you don't get to kick back at all.


Keeping a smile on your face.
On average, you can hope to get 6 hours of sleep a night and that is being generous. Not to mention you aren't just kicking back at the beach. And it's hot. And you will get frustrated with horses and people's attitudes. But guess what? If you lose your shit it just makes it worse for you. No one really wants to be around you and remember that calm, clear line of communication you've worked so hard for between you and your horse? Poof! Gone like the rum on Captain Jack Sparrow's pirate ship.

TTTRW: So your coworker is a pushy bitc... is a bit pushy and rude. It's cool. You've dealt with mares much larger than her who routinely try to kick your head off. This lady isn't going to rock your boat.

This is Ester, a horse I showed once. And worked hard to earn a
Reserve Regional Championship on! 

You don't always get a trophy.
If you spurred your horse too hard into the canter and he answered with a wicked buck for all the world to enjoy, you are not going to get a ribbon. Sometimes you have the best ride of your life, but this particular judge didn't like your outfit so he puts you last. It is a competition and yes, the ultimate goal is to win, but sometimes you win because you got first place, while other times you win because it was a lesson learned.

Translation: Life doesn't always go your way. And sometimes it is really unfair. But you take the good things out of the bad situations and learn from the mistakes you made. And many times, life rewards you for your honesty and hardwork.

I've so thoroughly enjoyed this Epic Shit Challenge and have learned so much about myself and where I want to go. But I need to take more time and really process what I'm discovering. I caught myself a bit behind yesterday, so I sat down on the couch, with my iPad in one hand and a notebook in the other. I needed distance from a computer but didn't want to miss this chance to think things through.

In Day 14, Sarah mentions that if you aren't feeling super fired up and clear, then you should take some time. So that is what I've decided to do. I was committed to this challenge, but obviously not at a level in which I can accomplish much, as per the evidence of my consistent lagging behind. But don't give up on me! I'm going to start at Day 1, read my blog, listen to Sarah's challenge, and give the prompts the time they deserve. The time I deserve, to think about what I am actually doing. 

For this re-do, I'm going to keep it in a journal which I will keep to myself, for know. I might share, I might not, but what I'm going to do is be completely honest with myself and find out where I can really make my epic shit rock!

Stay tuned. I bet I'll come up with some great blog posts out of all of this!

Marian is a natural born leader. It sounds cliche, and she won't agree with me, but it's true. She embodies all the things listed in the leadership books; honestly, humility, goal focused, driven, encouraging. The list goes on and on.

There are times when I know she wants to beat me over the
head with more than flowers!

She is a person who has greatly impacted my life with her leadership. She was willing to stand and fight with me over my bad attitude when I was having a frustrating ride, explaining to me it was my fault and teaching me how to be fair to the animal I was riding. She told me when I was dating men who weren't right for me and congratulated me when I found the right one. She always and still pushes me out of my comfort zone to help me grow.

I often tell her my life would have a much different landscape if she had chosen to keep her wisdom and leadership to herself, but she always brushes it off and tells me I was meant to be someone and had the innate drive to get it done.

And for all of these things, I'm so grateful to this woman. Thank you, Marian!

I have many people with whom I want to share my passions and epic awesomeness.

A great example just happened yesterday. We work with our Arizona Beef Ambassador every year to help train him or her for the National Beef Ambassador Program which offers them a chance to compete for a spot on the national team. My co-workers and I share our passion and knowledge about the beef community with this young person and it's so awesome! I left our day long training session yesterday mentally exhausted but still so excited about our contestant this year. She is a rock star already, but it's so fun to see how much she learned and grew in just one day.

Another group of people I love to work with include young people learning to ride and show. Working, training, and showing horses is tough if you are the one doing all the work and that's how it is at Nelson Farms. But it's tough work which forces you to learn and grow, develop patience, a sense of fairness, and also when it's time to take a stand. My favorite part of this process is watching a young lady who came to the barn meek and mild who then grows up into a strong confident woman. I saw it happen within myself and my friends and now I'm old enough to see it in the next generation.

I also want to share my epic shit with my friends and family and hope to be a source of motivation and positivity. Life inevitably gets rough and I hope my friends reach out to me for the support they need to get out of their funk.