You are who you listen to.”

Dr. Lew Sterrett

Readers can find out more at www.integrityhorsemanshipllc.org or by calling 715-271-8963.

Area horse enthusiasts were treated to a three-day event at Integrity Horsemanship Aug. 27 to 29 between Stanley and Thorp, with Dr. Lew Sterrett of Oklahoma giving a horse clinic and demonstrating persuasion in getting a horse that had never been ridden to accept a saddle and rider while sharing a gospel message. Sterrett is a Christian speaker, leadership trainer, and professional horseman who uses horsemanship demonstrations to illustrate biblical principles. Married to wife Melanie for over 50 years, he is the founder of Leaders by HEART, with more information at leadersbyheart.org.
As for Integrity Horsemanship, the three-day event started Thursday, Aug. 27 with Saddle up for Kids from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., involving free training in horse powered children’s ministry, with hands-on instruction and open to anyone with a heart for reaching kids.
The event continued later that same day with Life Lessons from a Horse, with Sterrett on site, taking an untrained colt to give its very first ride. Admission was by donation, with Martino’s Restaurant on site with Onyx Oven to feed hungry guests.
Things continued into Friday and Saturday as well, with a two-day paid horse riding clinic capped by an event Saturday night entitled “Sermon on the Mount,” the mount in this case being a horse.
Held to fundraise for the Ride a Horse Program, the Sermon on the Mount featured Sterrett speaking from his horse Hansom and working with Stormy, a three-year-old mare that had never been saddled or ridden.
The evening began with music by the Nelson Miller family and an evangelical gospel message by cowboy Dallas Sparks that referenced both the Gospel of John and Paul’s letter to the Romans, emphasizing salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Sparks cited Christ’s conversation with Peter in John 21 and stressed that Jesus’ death and resurrection provided the way for believers to be reconciled with God. He told the audience that salvation came through trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Sterrett then entered the fenced arena with Hansom and posed several questions that he said every generation asks, even when those questions are not spoken directly. Those questions centered on fear, influence, correction, freedom and the examples established by parents, pastors, business owners and other leaders.
“Can you stop people from watching you?” Sterrett asked, stating that people made decisions from watching others and that leadership was not simply a position a person chose to accept. Instead, everyone influenced others through personal conduct, speech and decisions.
From there it was into horse training, with a three-year old mare named Stormy led into the arena, learning by persuasion and patience to follow the example of Hansom as Sterrett preached. Stormy eventually accepted a saddle and ride by one of Sterrett’s assistants, showing a way to train horses that didn’t involve making threats or giving harsh commands. During the horse demonstration Sterrett explained how the horse’s responses could reflect the challenges people face in relationships, leadership and faith.
As Stormy was introduced to ropes, a saddle and other unfamiliar experiences, Sterrett explained that fear was not intended to defeat people. Instead, fear could encourage wisdom when directed toward the right things. He contrasted the fear of God, which he said produced wisdom, with the fear of people, which he said could become “a snare.”
“You are who you listen to,” he said.
The training demonstration meanwhile also focused on correction. Sterrett said people often resisted criticism, even though correction could help them grow. He compared the pressure applied through a rider’s spurs to the difficulties people encounter through imperfect marriages, churches, families and communities.
“Don’t praise perfection,” Sterrett said as Stormy gradually responded to the training. “Praise process.”
He encouraged parents and leaders to recognize small improvements rather than focusing only on failures. When Stormy made progress, she was rewarded with relief from pressure, praise and affection.
Sterrett said Stormy learned by observing and borrowing confidence from Hansom. He compared the process to Christian discipleship, in which mature believers model faithfulness, patience and responsibility for others.
Sterrett started the process of accepting a saddle by acclimating Stormy to different experiences, Stormy following the model of Hansom as she sought to do what was asked of her. By the end of the evening, Stormy had accepted a saddle and rider for the first time.
Sterrett said her progress illustrated the importance of trust, responsibility and steady leadership.
Proceeds remaining after event expenses were designated for the Ride a Horse program, which teaches children horsemanship, leadership and biblical principles. Sterrett closed by encouraging the audience to follow Christ, forgive those who had hurt them and remain faithful when leadership became difficult or costly.
Randall Shirk of Integrity Horsemanship got up towards the end of the demonstration to thank event sponsors and give a brief message as well.
Sponsors for the three-day event included included WAXX 104.5, The Farm 95.9 FM and 1150 AM, Chwala’s Construction, Meridian Transformation Coaching, Horsemen’s Connection Magazine, Scenic Ridge Builders and Northport Welding Repair, and Fire Pro. Horsemen’s Connection Magazine was the largest financial sponsor of the event, while Scenic Ridge Builders was credited with constructing the building where the event was held. Northport Welding Repair was also thanked for quickly putting together bleachers for the event, while Jaden Shirk was recognized for his work gathering sponsors for the fundraiser.
Integrity Horsemanship is located at N14952 Lark Avenue on Highway X between Stanley and Thorp and offers colt starting, trail horses, problem solving, clinics, and lessons. Readers can find out more at www.integrityhorsemanshipllc.org or by calling 715-271-8963.