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U.S. Nationals
Meet the Volunteers
October 23, 2009
David Sawyer
Bitten by the bug
Dr. David Sawyer of Bernice, Oklahoma, has become a familiar face backed with a quick-witted, kind personality. Not only does he look forward to the people he meets each year as a U.S. Nationals volunteer, but also many looked forward to reconnecting with him. Four of his five years volunteering, 68-year-old Sawyer has worked as an assistant with commercial exhibits.
Like many others, the Sawyers were hooked on Arabians from the start. For them, it was in the early 90s. In 1994, Sawyer and his wife bought their first Arabian, just about three weeks after attending Youth Nationals that year. Back then, Sawyer had not ridden a horse in about 35 years. Now, he and his wife own 10 Arabians and one Half-Arabian at home that they enjoy pleasure riding.
Traveling just 72 miles to Tulsa, Sawyer is no stranger to working around Arabian horses in Oklahoma. Throughout the year, he works at shows hosted by the Green Country Arabian Horse Club, carrying various roles.
Sawyer looks forward to U.S. Nationals each year, whether traveling the short distance to Tulsa, or longer distances to Kentucky and New Mexico because of the people he meets or reunites with each year. "I think it's fascinating that we all share this interest in horses, but that means a lot of different things," he said. "I enjoy the variety of reasons that lie beneath that similarity."
A retired teacher and mental health counselor, Sawyer fills his time in retirement feeding horses, mowing pastures and reading books on philosophy, theology or horses, as well as spending time with his wife of 45 years, Jane; daughter, Teresa; and grandkids, Christopher (14) and Nathan (11).
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