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Faces of Leadership Recap: Get Back on the Horse

Faces of Leadership Recap: Get Back on the Horse

August 8, 2017

“Get back on the horse.” These words from Amberley Snyder echoed through the room on day one of the eighth annual Faces of Leadership conference. Looks of awe and adoration were spread across the faces …


“Get back on the horse.”

These words from Amberley Snyder echoed through the room on day one of the eighth annual Faces of Leadership conference. Looks of awe and adoration were spread across the faces of more than 89 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members as they listened to Amberley tell her story. A professional barrel racer, breakaway roper and motivational speaker, she already has an interesting story to tell. But Amberley’s motto, “get back on the horse,” takes on a whole new meaning because of her limitations: she does these incredible things without the use of her legs. Amberley’s story of tragedy to triumph set the tone for a positive atmosphere and motivated NJHA members for the next few days of learning and leadership.

A whirlwind of events took place over three days as the group of juniors learned about leadership and Hereford cattle while meeting new people along the way.

“This conference is designed to get you out of your comfort zone,” NJHA board chairman Steven Green, Munfordville, Ky., said “See how much you can learn about Hereford cattle and more importantly, about yourself.”

On the second day of the conference, attendees traveled to Kansas State University (KSU), Manhattan, Kan., where they participated in a leadership challenge course. Through mental and physical obstacles, the group of juniors found ways to accomplish their goals while learning about themselves and their teammates.

The KSU Purebred Unit welcomed the group to their new facility with some hands-on learning. Participants learned about cattle pregnancy diagnosis from Dr. David Grieger, KSU professor of animal science, DNA from Shane Bedwell, American Hereford Association chief operating officer and director of breed improvement, calving dos and don’ts with A.J. Tarpoff, KSU extension beef veterinarian, and embryology with Dr. Karol Fike, KSU assistant professor of animal science.

A trip to Jensen Bros., Courtland, Kan., rounded out day two and put the juniors back in their element where they judged Hereford cattle before the final day of Faces of Leadership.

The last day brought even more industry and leadership learning opportunities. A tour of BioZyme, Inc., St. Joseph, Mo., showed attendees how BioZyme products get from the drawing board to the barn in an insider look of the company and facility. Heather Schultz, a motivational speaker, gave members a lesson in leadership as she encouraged them to get out of their comfort zone to end an incredible event.

Lisa Norton, BioZyme, Inc., said “We take it very seriously to prep you to win in life and not just in the showring,” on Thursday morning when she addressed the group. This quote summarizes the success of the entire event. Faces of Leadership gave NJHA members the opportunity to take a step back from the cattle barn and prep themselves to win in life and not just in the showring.