|
On December 8, during the 2001 NCHA World Championship Futurity, Dale Wilkinson received the first annual Zane Schulte Award. Dale, emotionally moved, stood to receive his award amidst a standing ovation during the inaugural NCHA Hall of Fame and Awards Party hosted by NCHA's Professional Trainers.
The concept for the award grew out of my husband, Tom, and my desire to give something of exceptional value back to our cutting family. During our son, Zane's illness, Tom, Zane and I were the recipients of incredible caring and love expressed in cards, phone calls, hugs, prayers and monetary contributions.
In addition to giving back to our industry, we also wanted to honor the memory of a gallant 16-yearold boy who faced the challenge of his illness and passing with confidence, courage, compassion and leadership as he encouraged fellow cancer patients, family and friends.
Zane's gift to those who knew him was a deep experience of the heart. For example, he taught that living is helping each other.
We know that people quietly inspire each other daily in our cutting world. In Zane's memory, we wanted to recognize a spirit of giving in our industry. We also believed that trainers are the ambassadors of our sport and there are many who serve us with great dedication beyond their riding. We decided to spotlight a professional trainer annually who exemplified the humanitarian values of integrity, service, respect of their peers, contribution to the industry and excellence in the arena. Thus, the Zane Schulte Award was born.
The Executive Committee and the Professional Trainers Committee embraced our idea. Following the lead of west coast trainers, the NCHA Professional Trainers decided to host an annual Hall of Fame and Awards Party during the NCHA Futurity. The party was free to NCHA members, paid for by the direct contributions of trainers as well as sponsorships.
The inaugural event provided every trainer in our industry a way to give back to clients and friends. The party also hosted a successful silent and live auction for Cutters In Action, as well as video presentations recognizing the current Hall of Fame inductees and Horse of the Year. It was an informal, exciting, gala event. The final award of the evening was the Zane Schulte Award. Dale Wilkinson was honored with a video presentation highlighting his life and accomplishments, in addition to a beautiful Jan Mapes sculpture especially designed for the award.
Dale Wilkinson was chosen by a selection committee from nominations received from NCHA members. The selection committee was made up of the President of the NCHA, heads of the professional trainers, open show and non-professional committees, as well as three members at large and myself. The three members at large were from the Western, Eastern and Central parts of the country.
No specific guidelines existed for choosing the recipient because humanitarian values are not measurable in concrete ways. My role on the committee was to help other selection members keep their focus clear. The award was about giving back. It was not about being a high-profile trainer (although the recipient could be). While excellence in the arena was considered, it's not about who won the most money in a particular year. The award was created to honor integrity, service and leadership wherever and whoever the trainer might be.
Beginning in the June issue of the Chatter, members will once again have the opportunity to nominate a trainer who they admire for humanitarian values expressed in their service to our industry. . All trainers nominated this year will be recognized by a quote from a nomination form in the program at the NCHA Hall of Fame and Awards Party (hosted by NCHA Professional Trainers) at this year's Futurity. The deadline for submission of nomination forms to the NCHA office is September 15. I encourage you to nominate your favorite trainer. He or she will certainly be recognized and could become the recipient of the 2002 Zane Schulte Award.
|
