Meredith Manor

I was recently asked to write an article for infohorse.com about my  experience at Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center.   An article from the perspective of a graduate about how I made the decision to go and where I am now. I gained so much in my years there that I was happy to tell my story.

Chasing a Dream

I have dreamed about a life with horses for as long as I can remember.  Growing up just outside of Washington D.C. the opportunities to pursue such a passion were limited. It seemed that either you were born into a life with horses  or you had to be wealthy enough to afford lessons.  Unfortunately I was neither.  So I did what every horseless girl does. I read books and watched movies.  I studied the breeds and their colors. I spent hours in my room flipping through magazines carefully debating which horse I would someday choose.  I clipped classified ads of “free to a good home” horses and houses for rent in the country and attached them to my Christmas list.  I started saving my money in a horse jar where I happily accepted donations.

Then at twelve years old I spent the summer in Upstate New York with some friends of our family who owned several  horses.  I finally got a chance to ride.  I spent every second at the barn.  Brushing and fawning over an old quarter horse mare named cinnamon.  To me she was perfect.  I rode her for hours back and forth from the barn to the house.  When summer ended I went back home.  I knew then I would never be cured.  I would never stop wanting  and longing for a horse of my own.

Time goes on and horseless girls grow up.  I rode over the summers when ever I had the opportunity, but as I transitioned into adulthood my dream of a life with horses fell by the wayside.  It was time for the real world. I had to be practical.  I had to make money.  So I spent the next several years talking myself into wanting something else. I sold cell phones, I became a pharmacy technician, I took real estate classes, and I worked as an office manager for our family business.  You name it I tried it.  I was successful enough.  I owned my own home and I had some money in the bank but the truth is I was miserable. I was just biding my time and I felt like I had no real purpose in my life. 

One night I was home feeling sorry for myself and I got online to look at horse sites.  I began to search for horse related jobs and stumbled across the Meredith Manor site.  I began reading Dr. Meredith’s training articles and  couldn't stop.  I stayed up arguing with myself about whether or not to fill out the form requesting information.  It was only a catalog.  What harm could it do?  The entire next week I ran home to check my mailbox for the package.  When it arrived I sat down next to the mailbox and ripped open the envelope.  As I flipped through the pages my mind began to race.  What if I could do this?  What if I sold my house, and my car, everything but the dog? What if  it’s not too late?

My mother and I took a trip to the campus for a tour.  At the end of the tour I was already certain.  I wanted nothing more.  I didn’t care if people would think I was crazy.  I was in love again.  With the smells and the sounds, and with  the curious creatures that followed me with their eyes as I walked through each barn.  My parents were so moved by  my excitement that they decided to support my craziest decision yet.  I sold my house and packed the dog and moved to West Virginia.

I remember my first day so clearly still.  It had been several years since I had ridden and I’m sure that was fairly  obvious. We all were to attend riding evaluations where we would be observed by instructors and fellow students as they determined our initial placement.  I was certain that I would be a nervous wreck but I wasn’t.  I rode around  doing everything wrong and yet I couldn’t wipe the ridiculous grin off my face.  I was finally here and nothing could  bring me down.  At least not on the first day :)

The next few months were very hard.  I was sore in muscles I never knew existed. I was blistered, bruised and  exhausted.  I had so much to learn that I might as well never have ridden. Luckily I made friends quickly.  They never tired of my questions and they didn’t laugh (much) at all my ridiculous mistakes.  They encouraged me through difficult times when I wasn’t sure I could keep going.  There is something that happens to you when you are pushed to the hilt of your mental and physical limitations.  You are forced to look inside yourself and see what you are truly made of.  There were times I was terrified, there were times when I was discouraged to the point of tears, but I  learned that I was much stronger than I ever imagined.  I learned that you can accomplish almost anything with drive alone. With every new horse and every new semester my confidence and skill level improved dramatically. I was becoming a rider.

A lot of thought goes into the curriculum at Meredith Manor.  As you progress through the levels of riding, training and theory your strengths begin to surface.  Interestingly many students end up changing their major along the way, specializing in something completely different than they intended.  I thought I wanted to be a trainer.  After all, the dream was to work with horses so why bring people into it?  While I learned a lot from my training classes I found  myself drawn more and more to another area of study.  A new passion began to emerge when I discovered teaching.

What makes the teaching program at MM so different is that we are required to become a teacher first and a riding instructor second.  A great deal of time is spent studying the aspects of communication and different methods of teaching different learning styles.  We learned to incorporate our working knowledge of horses with the ability to communicate and motivate our students.  After my first student I was hooked and I knew this is what I was meant to do.  The only   thing that made me happier than making progress with a horse myself was the ability to help someone else have that same experience.  Teaching is truly the best of both worlds and I can’t imagine anything I’d rather do.

Graduation was definitely a bittersweet time for me.  I said goodbye to my new family as they moved on to their new lives and I made the decision to stay.  I was accepted into the graduate assistant program where I was able to continue on as a student teacher and gain invaluable experience.  When I finally left the manor I had accumulated  almost 2000 hours in the saddle under some of the finest instructors in the world.  It didn’t matter what I started with  or how long it took to get here.  I was a new person, full of the confidence that comes along with realizing a dream.   This achievement was only the beginning.  I had a solid foundation to continue on my own, to set new goals and realize new dreams.  I have since acquired my own business in Virginia where I teach, train and ride everyday.

Making a decision to change the course of your life can be very difficult.  No matter what your dream is there are always obstacles and often many more nay sayers than believers.  Wanting to be something more than what you  already are, even if the comparative greatness is only in your own eyes, is something that ought to be worthy of encouragement.  I have learned that pursuing a dream is never ending.  No set goal achieved satisfies.  Once you find you are able to accomplish more than you imagined you will begin to wonder what else you can do.  I will always look fondly upon my time at the manor.  I am grateful for all that learned there, for the blood sweat and tears, and the lifelong friends. I am happy to be where and who I am today and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes me from here.

   

Comments

[GirlsHorseClub]

What an inspiring story! You made me laugh and cry, and gave me encouragement to keep chasing the dream. Thank you!

[Pony Tail Club]

That is a great story, very inspiring!

[MiKael]

Wow, this sounds like a great place. What a wonderful experience for you! Funny how dreams change and grow as you go along, I've noticed that as I've chased after mine.

[Jumping Jockey]

Hi,

I was searching for a few good Horse Racing Blogs over the net, and thankfully came across 'Every Rider'.

Since, this blog is in most ways dedicated to horses, thought of dropping in a line or two on the upcoming Derby here in the UK.

The Epsom Derby, which is considered to be one of the most prestigious flat thoroughbred horse races in the world is one of the most iconic events in the British sporting and social calendar. It will take place, this week, at the Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surry, England.

I've been covering the latest news and tips on the Derby at my website - www.jumpingjockey.com

For the 2006 Epsom Derby Video please visit http://www.jumpingjockey.blogspot.com

Regards,
JJ.

[paige houser]

Hi, my name is paige houser. i have always wanted to be with horses ever since i really young, but my family never really had the time or money to let me lease or own a horse. i started taking lessons when i was 9 and have been up in till this year. i go to a tech. school right now that deals with horses but its not enough, i need something more in depth. i was looking into MM for after i graduate this year, along with many other collages an uv's.

your blog reminded me of my life and my dreams, and if MM can help you than it can help me. thank you!

[dom]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It's a lot like mine, and I've been considering going to Meredith Manor. I think I'm definitely going to apply now. =)

[Sabrina]

WOW! This is one heck of an AWESOME post! Very incredibly moving and inspiring! *standing ovation* to you on following that dream! Good for you!

[Samantha]

That was an amazing story. I have a similar story as well. But mine is not yet complete. I will be attending Meredith Manor in the summer of 08 and I can't wait. Thank you so much for sharing your story! It makes me want to work all that much harder at making my dreams come true! :)

[Noelle]

I enjoyed your story. I will be attending Meredith Manor in Sep 0f 08. Wondering if I should brng my horse, any thoughts?

[Aimee]

I stumbled across this blog while searching for information on Meredith Manor. I cant seem to find a website for the school and was wondering if the url had changed. I am in high school and trying to figure out what i want to do after i graduate. If anyone would like to share information on the school with me, I can be contacted by email at a.m.sibley@cox.net

Thanks..

[kelly]

Noelle,

Congratulations on your decision to attend MM! As far as bringing your horse- that is a tough one... Many people do bring a horse with them but it really depends on the reason your bringing him. If after his assessment the staff puts him in classes rather than training you will be able to ride him for one class per day but you will still be assigned different horses for your other riding class and training class.

I purchased a horse at MM from another student in my first quarter. She decided to withdraw after the first semester and decided to sell her two horses rather than pay to haul them back to Texas. I bought a 3 year old green broke mare which I was unable to ride until my 3rd quarter. She was in training and then ridden by upper level students. I put her in the program by choice rather than keep her status as "private" since I was not skilled enough (yet) to train her like a second year student could. If you want to bring your horse my advice would be go for it! The price is more than fair for board and you will have a piece of home with you when you get homesick. If at all possible, I recommend putting your horse in the program- meaning let him go with other students, you will still have him once a day and first dibbs for shows and he will have the benefit of additional training and exercise for free. Good luck and hang in there first quarter... once you finish that first few months it gets much better!

Aimee,

I checked the website and it appears they are doing some updates. It currently shows 2004 as last update so there must be some technical difficulties. Try again it should be up and running soon. http://www.meredithmanor.com/

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[SY]

I have been riding and training horses for 8 years and recently learned about Meredith manor... I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go there do to lack of information about the school and not being completely set on pursuing a career in horses but after reading your story I am pretty sure I will apply. Thank you.

[Amanda]

Thank you so much. This article was incredibly inspiring for me, on many different levels. I had to sell my horse during my sophomore year of high school due to lack of time and money, and it just about killed me. Call me melodramatic, but nothing has been able to replace the feeling of rightness I got whenever I was in a barn - not even writing (my second passion) has gotten close to filling the void. Without having horses in my life these past three years I've felt undeniably empty - but where I am now it's impossible for me to get back into it again. Hopefully, after I attain my bachelor's in English/Creative Writing from the University of Houston, I will be able to attend Meredith Manor. That is my goal :]