Kind, Patient... Fantastic!

This week's entry is the voice of Jessi Goble, an Idaho native who recently spent eight weeks at High Hopes for the Instructor Training Course.  Jessi graduated from the University of Idaho May 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a Specialization in Disabilities. She currently has an Appaloosa that she rides English and Western, and trains for 3-day eventing. 

Fall 2010 Instructor Training Candidates -
Dick Lasnier, Jessi Goble, Yael Dekel, Katie Posner, Klara Shim

I may not be from Israel or South Korea like some of my fellow ITCs, but picking up and leaving my cozy little northern Idaho home and coming to the wild, wild East seemed like moving across the world. I knew what to expect at home and had no idea what to expect here at High Hopes.

I don’t know how many times my parents reassured me: “Jessi, people who work in therapeutic riding have got to be kind and patient.” Like most kids, I didn't think my parents could be right, but yet again, they were. But they were also wrong…My parents were wrong because the people here are not only kind and patient, but they are also fantastic!  I have never met so many people who are so open and willing to help in any situation or at any moment in life. It’s even more amazing when I think about all of the ITCs, on-site certification candidates, and the large number of people in general who walk through the front doors of High Hopes. The  instructors, staff, and volunteers still have the time and the patience to be open and helpful to those who stop in.

An Introduction to Driving for ITCs

During my two month stop here,  I feel as if I have made many friends--with instructors, staff, and-- most important-- volunteers. I am going to miss all of you and hope that I can keep in contact with the folks connected to High Hopes and perhaps come back later for conferences or for further training. Don’t ever change! Thank you for making my time here so memorable, fun and full of hard work! Keep showing these children and adults your "high hopes" in their abilities to do whatever they are brave enough to try. Happy Trails--until we meet again.

~Jessi Linder Goble/ NARHA Registered Level Instructor/ Graduate of High Hopes Instructor Training Course, Fall 2010