RADIO HOST HAS BLAZED AN INFORMATION TRAIL

By Carolyn Kaberline
Special to The Capital-Journal
Published Sunday, February 17, 2008

He's been described as a hummingbird on speed — and those who know Ernie Rodina might agree: His full time job as business manager for Purina Feeds, his newsletters and weekly radio program, as well as his presence at a large number of equine events in northeast Kansas, seem to keep him moving at warp speed.

A graduate of Ottawa University some 30 years ago, Rodina says his job is actually the result of being in the right place at the right time.

"I wanted to work with folks in agriculture," he said, "and had the chance to become a manager trainee for Purina. My job was and is to be a retail business manager, to develop new dealers and grow present dealers. I always had a passion for horses, and in the last 15 to 17 years there's been more of a push for products on the horse end."

As the horse industry became more of his focus, Rodina said, he needed to find a way to "touch folks in Beloit as well as those in Marshall, Missouri. When people thought of horse events, I wanted them to think of Purina and Ernie Rodina."

He started a newsletter in hopes of reaching as many horse people as possible. The four-page trifold Checkerboard Corral, started about nine years ago, has grown to the 48- to 54-page Better Horses newspaper published five times a year. Each issue includes articles on training, nutrition, veterinary tips, western living and a list of upcoming equine events in the area. There's also an electronic newsletter published bi-monthly.

His newest endeavor — a weekly radio program — continues his goal of helping people "take their horse experience to a higher level."

The Horseman's Radio Weekly program hosted by Jim Campbell was on WIBW Radio several years ago. After Campbell retired from the program, Rodina's Better Horses Radio debuted Feb. 13, 2005. And in the three years it has been on the air, it has gained quite a following among horse-people and non-horse-people.

"We start off with a prayer," Rodina said. The prayers are presented by a variety of people in the horse industry. "Then we have two interviews with trainers and other professionals. Next we read the rules — the code of the West — with 'Happy Trails' playing in the background." Rodina and his co-host, Dawn Dawson, then tell listeners they want them all to be "good buckaroos and buckarettes," adding that they address listeners by name like "they used to do on Whizzo, Gus and Torey, and 'Romper Room.'"

"This is beginning our fourth year, and we've gone farther than we ever expected," Rodina said.

"I've got a great co-host in Dawn Dawson," he said. "The radio deal is fun. We surround ourselves with great companies and great ambassadors." He added his trademark, "It's been unbelievable."

Regardless of the media used, Rodina said he always tries to remember there's a wide audience when talking to horse people. Some are interested in training and showing their horses, while others simply enjoy brushing them or trail riding.

He also believes in keeping everything in his life in perspective. "I want my life to be like a high school football game in the last quarter — when it's done I want to be able to say I've given it all I've got." He says that means "keeping my faith in the Lord first, my family second, and then my job."

In looking back, Rodina said he feels very lucky to be in the horse industry and to get paid for it.

"If you value friends and acquaintances, then I'm a millionaire 100 times over."

Carolyn







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