My daughter is a competitive equestrian and just completed a very successful year of campaigning on her pony named Prince Charming.

She has spent the last few years riding, training, cleaning and caring for him, but alas, she has outgrown him. We knew this day was coming, so we began a long and extensive search for a new horse last June. I never knew there were so many horses. There were literally hundreds of candidates of varying breed, size, color, discipline, age, confirmation, experience and general disposition. And then there were the not quite as advertised prospects of the one-eyed, skinny, limping, “should have seen him last season” variety.

Needless to say, heading into 2010 without the new horse selected created a bit of anxiety around the house and barn. So I set out to research and seek wisdom from a prominent rider of the past.

George Washington, a founding father of our country and a founding father of American foxhunting, was an avid and accomplished rider who lived in an era when quality horses were the equivalent to today's luxury vehicle. He was very well respected horseman and could easily command any horse he required.

One of his favorite sports and pastimes was foxhunting, which requires both horse and rider to pursue the quarry over fence, through the mud, across the field, over the fences – literally, anywhere the hounds pursued.

When asked of his primary requirement in a good mount, he responded that the only quality he required in a horse was that it went forward. Forward.

Initially, I thought this advice was a joke, but upon further thought, I found it to be quite profound. The most beautiful horse in the barn, the best example of breed confirmation, the most regal of disposition were all worthless unless they were willing to go wherever the quarry took them.

Forward. It is a positive word that suggests movement, growth and change. Forward. It's not here, not back there, not idle. Forward. Though there are changing surroundings and conditions to endure and taller obstacles to jump. With each encounter, a growing bond between horse and rider. Forward.

When Flintco joined the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, we were on a quest for a horse of a different nature. We were looking for forward and we found it here in San Marcos. The chamber is alive and well and is continually moving our community's betterment efforts forward. The conditions of business are dramatically changing, the quarry ever so demanding, yet we move forward.

The chamber is not simply standing in the stall, but is actively pursuing business and relationships which will advance the livelihood of our community. Each event and effort expended has created a tighter bond with the chamber and its members. If your search for an organization to advance your efforts and goals has left you confused and disheartened, I encourage you to move forward with the mission and efforts of the chamber.

Since the concept of this article, my daughter has found the horse of her heart and I am excited to watch as she moves forward with him. At the time of her initial ride, I even overheard the trainer comment “he moves forward quite nicely.”

As I reflect back on our horse search and the last year of economic uncertainty, I began to consider my own search and the direction my quarries have taken me. Am I resting in the stall waiting for the economic weather to change or am I out in the field on a steady steed pursuing my goals? I have challenged myself to grab the reins and move forward every day this year.

The chamber is moving forward and I challenge you with the same. Forward.