We moved to Lansing the Fourth of July 2000. I’ve been training with Tracy since Fall of that year. I have the Rowe Stables webpage to thank for finding her! I emailed Tracy to see about lessons, and that started off our dressage career in Michigan. Actually this is the beginning of a whole new partnership for Marci (my mare)and I.

I grew up on 100 acres in the Woods of far Northern Wisconsin. I’ve been riding since I was 8 or so. I rode friends’ horses in 4-H for the first few years. Before I could have my own horse, I had to learn everything I could about them. I participated in Horse Judging, Hippology (the study of the horse, a 4-H competition), Horse Quiz Bowl, Poster Contests, and all other sorts of ‘Horseless Horse’ projects. I was obsessed! I even won some of the competitions at the State level. Finally, my formerly non-horsie folks gave in. I got my first pony the summer before 8th grade. April was a 13.3 hand palomino pony with liver spots all over her and gray legs. Adorable! Before I was able to compete with her, though, she became [selectively - ahem!] lame. Another year riding someone else’s horse until we could afford/find a new one. . .

Looking for my dream palomino QH, I met ‘Frankie’, a chestnut Arabian gelding. A lady called us, hearing we were a good home and were looking for a horse. Things that ‘come to me’ are meant to be. I spent the next 6 years or so learning from him. He had been tried driving, western, and finally saddle-seat. I brought him back to earth and along with showing him Western, Hunt-seat (on the flat only), and in Showmanship - we went trail riding, swimming in Lake Superior, and chasing the ends of rainbows with friends. We competed in open shows and 4-H successfully through State level. I took him to college with me in Minneapolis, MN for a couple of years and did some light riding and showing when I had time. He also had to share me with an adorable Chestnut QH Gelding I had for a year. I started Major myself - my first experience starting my own horse. He turned out wonderfully and my parents sold him for me while I was doing a college course in Australia. Right before my first dressage lesson with Frankie he got hurt at the stable I was boarding at. Brought him to the vet only to find he had a Pelvic fracture - his left ilial wing was broken right off! Frankie immediately went home to my folks for retirement. Unbelievably, he wasn’t in much pain, or at least didn’t show it. Within a year, he was perfectly sound. My sister has taken him over as her horse, and at age 23 he is still winning high point awards.

While Frankie was recovering, I begged my folks to buy me a new horse as a college graduation gift. I was hoping to find a deal, and did. Through college, I worked for the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. We had all animals - from mice to cows. At the end of one study of Thoroughbreds, the horses were sold. I made it down to look at the last few horses left. I really wanted this tall, gray gelding - but he was sold. Marci was available. A non-horsie friend and I looked her over for about 5 minutes, watched her walk around a few more, and I thought she ‘would do’. The next day I took her to the stable - 4 1/2 year old unbroken, untattooed (therefore unraced), basically “unknown” bay mare. Thus her show name ‘Jane Doe’. I also had the added experience of starting another horse - a cute Pintabian gelding. I had to start from the real beginning with him - he didn’t even know how to lead!

That’s where we started. Marci and I took dressage lessons together and showed up to Training Level in Minnesota.

Since then, Marci and I (and Maddy-dog, and Yella and Black cats) moved to mid-state NY for a new job. We lived near Kingston, NY right next to the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. Beautiful! We continued showing successfully in NY and surrounding states. I met Chris there and knew I had found the right guy when he put up with and actually supported all the horse-everything! Another job switch landed us in Lansing - and we love it here!

Now for my lecture about how wonderful it has been to work with Tracy.

Marci has had a ‘shying problem’ since the day after our first schooling show, 2 months after I started her under saddle. She has made up for her amazing acrobatics in the showring - by her natural gaits and ability otherwise. I couldn’t even get her in the ring with all 4 feet touching the ground our first 2 years of showing! She was terrified of the ring, especially the ‘narrow’ entrance (Aye yay yay).

Prime example of how gentle Tracy is, how she understands horses, and how she puts her experience and teaching ability to use: She showed me how to give Marci the confidence she needs. Marci has not shied since our first lesson. That was proof to me that we have found our ‘perfect teacher.’

Tracy is teaching us so we understand why and how we work and correctly progress. I can see and feel the upper levels now. Marci and I are both happy and enjoy schooling. We still have fun trail riding, trotting down the road, and galloping through the field, but schooling in the dressage ring - working correctly and challenging ourselves - is just as fun. This is IT!

I should add that I also have a bit of life outside horses. I have my BS in Agriculture from the U of Minnesota. I also took an agriculture course at the University of Western Sydney - Hawkesbury in Australia. I’ve traveled to Sweden, England, and Scotland to visit a friend who has lived in various places around the world. We would like to visit some of the beautiful places in the US, but I have no plans to travel outside the states anymore. Chris and I are satisfied right here. We have to travel a bit to visit family (closest for either of us is 12 hours away) - that satisfies the urge to get out and about. I’m trying to convince my sister to attend a University near us - then I’ll be able to see her and my folks more when they come to visit. We’re still getting used to Lansing, settling in, and making friends. . .