Complaint Review: KidRiders

2010 Barrel Horse News

Awards 2010
ULTIMATE IMPACT AWARD
The Ultimate IMPACT Award was designed
for the person or horse who is an "unsung" hero, an individual who has positively
affected the barrel racing community through their actions and attitude. This individual doesn't have to have ever made front page, or even second page, news, but must make
the world a little brighter just by being in it.
RECIPIENT: BOBBI LISTON
Bobbi Liston was fixing fences when she was called and informed that she had won Barrel Horse News inaugural Ultimate IMPACT Award. The almost 60-year-old riding instructor was at first moved to tears and then professed amazement at the fact that several of her students and their parents had nominated her for an award that is meant to go to a hero. The response was typical of the humble, hard-working "Ms. Bobbi" of KidRiders in Fort Worth, Texas.
"It's the Lord's work," she says. "I give all the glory to the Lord. I'm so overwhelmed that these kids and their parents did this for me."
In fact, Liston is more used to doing for others than having them do for her. During her 10 years as a riding instructor, she has touched countless lives, both as a dependable teacher and as someone who consistently watches out for those who have special needs or have fallen on hard times.
"I was brought up on family and friends," Liston explains. "I believe a community should be tight."
A native of Connecticut, Liston began riding at age 7. Barrel races weren't produced very often in her area of the country, but when a playday offered the event, she was there.
She moved to Texas 22 years ago, where she was able to barrel race more often. Then, 12 years later, her granddaughter's friends served as her inspiration for a new career.
"We had horses, and the other kids always wanted to learn to ride," Liston says, "so we started a little business. We began with only five or six kids the first month, and before we knew it, we had 72 students.
"I love kids. I love the outdoors, and I love horses. So, it's the perfect business for me."
Founding KidRiders with her daughter,
Melanie, was only the beginning of Listons
role in the lives of children. Since that day,
she has taken the concept of riding lessons
and turned it into an inspirational,  life-
affirming activity for kids from all walks
of  life.
When planning classes, she considers all of her students and their needs. For example, on Thursdays, she holds a class for children who are homeschooled. In another session, she teaches special needs children to barrel race, and is even in the process of preparing a few riders for the Special Olympics.  Liston also gives of her time to those whom life has dealt some hard blows. A handful of her kids get free lessons because their parents have lost jobs or are, for some other reason, unable to continue paying for lessons. One of these students is even given a special year-long scholarship—the recipient of which is kept quiet, so that no one has to be singled out as being different.
"I try to keep everything affordable," she says. "If you don't, you miss out on a lot of kids who really want to ride. People have hardships, so I keep a little 'slushfund' to help out."The instructor encourages her students to help those in need, as well. Every Christmas, she sponsors a shelter for abused children and invites the children out
to her ranch for hot dogs, smores, gifts and
to see Santa Claus.
"We have a big party," Liston says. "All the KidRiders come, and we have a big gift drive. Last year, we did an underwear drive. I know it sounds silly, but a lot of the kids in the shelter don't have underwear. Two years ago, we had a coat drive.
"We try to pick shelters that have a lot of kids in them. We usually have around 60.We have a big covered wagon full of gifts, and Santa Claus rides in on a horse. Last year, Santa Claus even barrel raced, which thrilled the kids."
Listens impact on her community is best described by those who have been the recipients of her kindness and friendship (see "Nominating Ms. Bobbi," on page 63), and Liston will leave the bragging up to them. For although Bobbi Liston is a person who has made a large impact on her community, she is not someone who makes a loud noise about all that she has done.
"I'm not in this for the almighty dollar," she says. "Yes, I have to support myself and support my horses, but my reward is the ministry of it, watching the kids blossom. It's like having 70 grandkids. Maybe one day they'll look back and say, 'That old goat—she really taught me something."'
As part of the Ultimate IMPACT Award, Liston will receive a saddle by TW Saddlery.
 Nominating Ms. Bobbi
The following are excerpts from just a few of the e-mails we received nominating Bobbi Liston for the Ultimate IMPACT Award:
•      When my daughter, Sydney, began with Ms. Bobbi, we had been searching for a positive, consistent place where she could take barrel racing lessons.
For the past three years, I have watched Ms. Bobbi take on the role of teacher and Grand-mom/Mom to all of the kids around her. Even for my son, who would not dare ride."
•        [Ms. Bobbi] is teaching my 'special needs' son, Andy, to barrel race and care for
horses. Bobbi has given him an opportunity to excel, often at her own expense. She
has become his best friend because she does not prejudge his abilities, but lets him prog-
ress as he can, and he has done great! Ms. Bobbi has brought opportunity to an otherwise
overlooked young man."
•       Ms. Bobbi has taught me everything I know about horses and barrel racing. She
helped a family that she didn't even know by having a huge fundraiser barrel race
just because she felt bad that a fire burned down their barn and killed their horses. She had
like, a hundred people show up to give money for them, so they could start to build a new
barn. She is the nicest, most helpful person I know, and I think that she deserves this award
very much."
•       Ms. Bobbi makes dreams come true for little girls everyday! She teaches riding lessons with an emphasis on barrel racing. She is beyond generous. If there is someone
who wants to take lessons, but can't really afford it, she makes it happen! If there is some
one who dreams of owning a horse, but can't afford it, she makes it happen! Somehow,
someway, she makes it happen."—
62   DECEMBER 2010 | BARREL HORSE NEWS

Law Offices of Robert E. Luttrell III
August 27, 2010
(Addressed to 4 families)
Re: My client: Kidriders
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Simpson:
I am Robert E. Luttrell III and I have been retained by KidRiders. As you are well aware KidRiders is a business operating in Tarrant and Johnson Counties. Your continued hostile and unjustified actions towards KidRiders will not be tolerated any longer.
Making false accusations about KidRiders teaching, boarding and business practices over the internet by you, or others you direct, will come to a halt or further legal actions shall be taken. This includes but is not limited to false reports on ripoffreport.com, facebook.com and any other social or business networks you are currently using to defame and slander KidRiders. The United States Constitution gives individuals the right of free speech, however that right does not include the right to make false, misleading, and half-truths to the public that harms another person or their business. Attacking my clients in public using false and inaccurate statements is considered slander and defamation of character under the laws of Texas and the United States. Slander can carry criminal and civil liability. My clients will not be subject to your vicious lies about their teaching, boarding, and business practices any longer.
The law does not allow you to spread vicious lies about someone or their business so that you can gain a competitive advantage in the market place or destroy ones business as you see fit. Comments like "I will not stop until your business is destroyed" show your intent to defame and slander my client. Airing false allegations about a lawsuit, you lost, over the internet is further proof of your intent. Personnel grievances with KidRiders need to be taken up with KidRiders in private or in a court of law. Making false, half-truths and vicious lies in public is an unacceptable way to deal with any grievances you may have with KidRiders.
Your actions are not only morally wrong, they are legally actionable under the laws of the state of Texas. I will not hesitate to file legal action against you if your behavior continues. If legal action is needed to resolve this matter, I will seek damages for loss of current and future business, mental and emotional distress, physical suffering
4 East Chambers a Cleburne, TX 76031 » Phone: 817,645.6600 3 info@cleburnelaw.com
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and attorney's fees. I am requesting that all false and misleading statements be removed and that no additional comments be made about my clients. My clients do not wish to have to escalate this any further, but should the need arise they will seek legal actions against you.

This report is COMPLETELY FALSE.  I have been with KidRiders for 3 years now and this has been one of the best experiences my daughter and I have ever had.  After 3 years, I would know if this was the "real" person or someone putting on a front!  The instructor has been encouraging, uplifting and positive.  Always!  And if you mean "yelling" by she's at one end of the arena and they're at the other and she is "yelling" at them so they can hear, then yeah, she yells.  Other than that, nothing but positive reinforcement and constructive criticism.  I would recommend KidRiders to any of my friends and family.  We have recently purchased a horse and board there too.  Her expectations of your horse being used for lessons is discussed before you even buy a horse and begin boarding there.  We ride whenever we want to.  The owner of Kidriders IS a Christian!  Let there be no doubt about that. Our experience with KidRiders has been 100% positive!