Francine Althoff

From my earliest memories of childhood I have been crazy about horses. As a teenager, I was determined to go off to one of the big equestrian colleges and prepare for a career with horses. But, as it turned out, the tuition fees were just too great for my family so I embarked on a career in my other love, writing. My father tried to convince me to get my teacher certification. He was an educator, and thought it was the world's greatest profession. I was a stubborn young woman and had my sights set on some grand, worldly career and decided to ignore his advice. As my life has taken the shape that God alone would intend for it, I look back and wish I had taken my dad's advice. Today, I love teaching, being around young people, and opening their minds to things they only dreamed about yesterday.

Iron Horse Christian Youth Ranch affords me so many opportunities to do what God has blessed me with the talent to do. Teaching is much more like sharing, for me, and I love sharing with the children at Iron Horse. I didn't go to an expensive equestrian college and I didn't grow up around horses; as a matter of fact, as a kid I was the only one in the 4-H club who didn't own my own horse. But I have been blessed to be around some of the savviest horse people in Colorado Springs. I have worked hard, taken lessons, spent time around other people's horses, and purchased my first horse much later in life. I continue to learn all I can about God's amazing creation, the horse. This is what I hope to offer the children who come to Iron Horse. Sometimes, all we need is a great desire and an opportunity to fulfill our dreams. You bring the desire, I'll provide the opportunity!