I hope our newsletter finds everyone filled with cheer. I know that my cup is overflowing because I have so many things to be grateful for. My gratitude list could go on and on, but the one blessing that I want all of you to know is that YOU are all at the top of my list. MM Training and Consulting has so many extraordinary clients. I am continually fascinated by the interesting, funny and loving people that this business puts me in contact with. You all truly make my day, and I am honored to work with each and every one of you. So, to start this newsletter off right, I would like to give thanks where thanks are due and say, “Thank you Barn Buddies for being my blessing.”
While reflecting on this past year’s blessings, I am reminded of some great memories. One memory close to my heart and definitely worth mentioning is the three teenagers (Alyssa, Beth, Alex) that started their own colts with the MM Training Program. They all did such a great job, and I am so proud of them. Since the training bug has always been such a big part of my life, I am always overjoyed when others catch the bug with me. Can you all imagine knowing what these girls know at their age? One can only imagine what the future holds for them.
Another memory occurs that could be sad if there weren’t so many funny, good memories to over shadow it. Our dog, Buddy, the self appointed greeter and loving friend to each person who visited our barn, had an accident and was put to rest. Buddy provided us with a number of amazingly funny stories during his time with us, just ask Joe. You can read a small tribute to Buddy later in the newsletter.
And speaking of my husband, Joe, wow! Every memory I have of this past year is richer for him being in my life. He has been such a great sport when it comes to his horse crazy wife. Not only is he very supportive and helpful, he also takes on learning and riding with passion. It was fun attending a clinic with him at Suzy’s with all the girls and traveling with him to local and not so local shows; even giving lessons to him was fun. Well, most of them were fun. You all know me better than that! Joe stretched my instructor skills to another level this past year. He’s a very good student and very talented. But I just hadn’t worked with anyone quite like him. Joe can be described as a very confident daredevil, and the details that I offer him on good horsemanship sometimes seem to get in the way of his having fun. Seriously though, I feel Joe has added a needed dimension to MM Training and Consulting with his gift of nurturing and hospitality. If you know the colors and team dynamics, you will know that Davalee and I need blue roans on our team. I’m just not quite sure why it takes so many of them to balance us out (Barbie, Sue, Betty, Rick, and now Joe). Hmmmm!
There are so many more memories from 2007, but I am excited to announce the new opportunities we have for 2008. One small change is that we will combine our 3-D Rider™ Training Under Saddle and Equitation clinics. This change will leave time for our Performance Coaching clinic and schooling show, which you will not want to miss because it will prepare you for our biggest surprise of all, our new Versatility Buckle Award! This award is exclusive for MM Training clients, and it is in honor of my mom, Betty Nagle. She has spent many years growing her horsemanship skills and has been a great inspiration to many. It will be a fun challenge for her to keep going at 73 years old and for others to have a goal and incentive to keep growing their horsemanship skills. I hope many of you take advantage of this opportunity. We are going to have so much fun!
In closing, I hope you all enjoy our newsletter. We have such a great team that brings it to you. While I concentrate more on training and horsemanship in my article, Getting In and Getting Out, Davalee’s article, Enhancing Life’s Relationships Through the Color Tool™, is more concentrated on the similarities of horse-human and human-human leadership. As many of you know, we can learn so much about ourselves and our human relationships while working with horses. I know many of you mothers with children who ride will relate to Sue’s article, The Bobtailed Nag Isn’t Always a Horse! Sue’s role with MM Training and Consulting, along with editing, is to illustrate more of a humanistic side to our horsey life style. Sue is not only a rider but the mother of a daughter who rides. Sue is not a professional trainer, and she currently does not give lessons, so her perspective is fresh and different from Davalee’s and mine. Once completed, our articles move on to Barbie, who is very creative and our master designer. She takes what appears to be a lot of disorganization and magically puts it into an orderly and beautiful layout for you to enjoy. These girls are all amazing. Just as life with a good partner takes our life experiences to another level, working with a team that is equally yoked takes my MM Training and Consulting experience to another level. I hope our energy and passion is evident for you, our clients, and that we can have an opportunity to be a blessing to you in 2008. Please come and join us! It’s going to be an amazing year!