Erin Gallagher
Pullman, WA
Erin Gallagher's Blog Posts
Good Night, and Good Luck Jul 12, 2010
I am not only amazed at how quickly the past four weeks have flown by, but at how much a part of me this contest has become. From the moment I found out I was a semi-finalist (perhaps even before!) all I could think about was the blog. I can’t tell you how many ideas…
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Connections Jul 11, 2010
As we near the end of an intense four week competition, I continue to be amazed by the connections I have made with people because of my blog. I’ve received many emails and facebook friend requests from horse people throughout the country that are reading and enjoying my writing. I can’t say thank you enough!…
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Happy Helmet Day Jul 10, 2010
If you’ve been following my blogs you’ll know that I’m “extremely pro helmet” as one of my college friends recently said, so I thought I’d take a moment to promote National Helmet Awareness Day. The helmet campaign is being promoted by riders4helmets©. The following is copied from their website (riders4helmets.com/?page_id=3):
“Fact: Wearing helmets can saves lives.
What…
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Riding, Yoga, Yogariding! Jul 9, 2010
As riders, we ask a lot of our horses. No one would question the necessity of keeping your horse fit and supple, ready for whatever you might ask him to do. In order to progress in training, regardless of the discipline, a horse needs to be straight and his or her strength and flexibility…
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To Certify or Not to Certify…? Jul 8, 2010
What does it take to be an instructor and horse trainer? Well… it depends.
The British Horse Society is well known for its riding and instructor certification program. The program is rigorous and includes multiple stages from basic horse management to full teaching fellow. Each phase must be completed in succession if one intends to move…
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Erin Gallagher's Original Contest Entry
There lives a horse girl in the west
Who deserves to win this contest.
For her equine foundation
PhD in Communication,
Purina, pick her – she’s the best!
Hi, I’m Erin Gallagher and my diverse background with horses, education, and spunky personality would make me a terrific correspondent for Purina at the World Equestrian Games!
I have a delightfully diverse horse background. I grew up competing in dressage and eventing in the great Pacific Northwest. I attended Midway College in Kentucky where I was team captain of the intercollegiate horse show team. During my time at Midway, I had the opportunity to add hunt seat and reining to my competition repertoire. I also had the opportunity to work at a driving farm for two years, where I learned a tremendous amount about the driving discipline and was able to volunteer for several combined driving events. After college I trained horses professionally for two years. I had the amazing opportunity to spend two winters in Indio, California where I worked and competed on the hunter/jumper circuit. In addition, I groomed and trained polo ponies. I attribute my appreciation for different disciplines to the variety of work and competition experience that I have had. Despite my horse background, my academic training also qualifies me to represent Purina at the Games.
I graduated this week with my Ph.D. from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. I have finely honed research skills, which allow me to ask interesting questions and track down information. I have been trained to sort and interpret data, and then write about it in a clear and insightful manner. Whether I am conducting academic research, or reporting about the competitors, horses, spectators, sponsors, and volunteers at WEG, these skills are a tremendous asset. I can use my communication skills to bring the Games to life for the avid fans who cannot attend in person.
I know, I know… now you’re thinking, who is this stuffy, snobby academic anyway? The good news is that six years in graduate school didn’t make me lose my sense of humor! I am an energetic person with a fun and outgoing personality. I am quite creative, if the limerick at the beginning is any indication. I can bring life to my blog, as well as style! I approach life as a series of adventures. What an amazing adventure it would be to attend WEG as the Purina correspondent! I would do everything in my power to ensure that my readers have the online equine adventure of their lives. I have the time, as I am currently unemployed (it was a bad year to graduate!)… but I don’t have the financial means to attend on my own. So please, pick me as a one of the four semi-finalists and give me the chance to compete for the grand prize. I won’t let you down.
Thank you for the opportunity!
Sincerely,
Erin Gallagher
