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Member Spotlight 2008 Archives November 2008 Member Spotlight - Determination
Name: Lyndsy Thatcher
Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin
How did you first find you had a love for horses' or did they find you?
The first time I ever got on a horse I was two years old and it was my aunt's thoroughbred named Frosty. He was 17.2; I looked like a fly on top of him. Man, I wish I had a picture of that. He jumpstarted my passion for horses but there was this pony that I used to ride while I was on vacation named Daisy that solidified my love. My mom tells me she remembers us leaving the barn one day when I was five and I turned to her and said, "Mom, Daisy is a wonderful animal." My mom says she knew from that moment on I was hooked. She was right 25 years later I still can't get enough of them.
You teach high school and run a training barn. Talk about needing excellent time management skills! How does that work?
Whew. Sometimes I am busier than I like, but I have the best of both worlds I think. Horses help me relax and it's an added bonus when you can get paid for it too. During the summer, I can definitely take on more with my horse business. During the school year I set aside certain days that are designated for lessons and training horses. I usually try to keep an evening for myself and my personal life. But when you love what you're doing it doesn't really seem like work. Ultimately I want to combine my loves a bit more and open a nonprofit organization utilizing equine assisted therapy for inner city kids and other traumatized children. I'm working on getting certified now. It all actually comes together because my undergraduate degree is in psychology. I have a whole big bag of tricks up my sleeve. My mom always is curious as to what I am going to do next. LOL
Tell us a little about your professional life with horses, specialties, students, etc.
I started out just training horses for myself and giving a few friends lessons and helping out other trainers when I lived in Illinois. About three years ago I moved to Wisconsin to a farm called Morton Ranch. It was very small, had a homey feel and the owner was really nice. I moved my girls in and started working with a few outside horses. One day about a year ago, the owner approached me about training horses and giving lessons out of the farm. Of course I jumped at the chance. I formed my own company Determination Training and Lessons. Day by day my company is growing. I am making connections with people all over. Currently, I am also the Kenosha County representative for the Wisconsin State Horse Council, am working on completing my WSHC judge's card and going for certification in equine assisted therapy and equine massage therapy. It may seem like I have a lot of irons in the fire, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm looking forward to getting a show team together, hopefully working more with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Horsemanship Association and 4-H and doing clinics at the farm next year. I figure if you aren't constantly growing and changing then you are stagnating and that is no fun!!!!
What's the best piece of horse advice you ever heard?
The best piece of horse advice that I received can be applied to horses and to life in general. My dad once said "if you aren't out there doing something, you'll never know what you can achieve". My dad was a wonderful man and inspiration to me. I strongly believe and follow that piece of advice in everything that I do.
What's a solid piece of horse advice you can give us?
When I read this question, my thoughts went to a posting that was on the forum about horse abuse. The advice I'd give would be is if you can't win without cheating, then change what you're doing. If you feel that you can't be competitive without doing something that actually is harmful, then you are missing the true reason for being involved in horses. All of us that compete with horses have disappointing rounds, but ultimately have our love for horses that keep us going. If you don't have a love for the animal, why are you in the business? Along with that same idea is the quote, "you can't fit a square peg into a round whole". If you're always fighting with your horse to fit them into a certain mold and can't do it without cheating in some way, maybe it's time to find a new discipline. Don't punish the horse for their shortcomings, find a way to work around that shortcoming and find that horse's strength and showcase it. I'm only 5'4; I'll never be a supermodel but I can still strut my stuff.
Where do you go or who do you listen to when seeking additional advice or information?
Everywhere and anywhere! I talk to other trainers, read articles, attend clinics, watch videos, and watch horses. Like I said before if you aren't learning, you are stagnating.
Is there a special horse or experience that stands out from the rest?
Her name is Cleggs Bar Skip, aka Dice. She is my 18 year old paint mare. She is my world, my peace, my best friend. We have been together for 17 years. She has been with me through some of the most uncertain times of my life. I have shown her all over the country and have two reserve world titles and many, many more awards to show for it. She may not be perfect but that mare has more heart than any horse I've ever come across. She has challenged me, taught me and listened to me. She gave me an amazing filly and a lifetime of memories that can never be replaced. The most momentous occasion was at our last trip to Pinto worlds in 1999. It was the year after my dad passed away and really one of the first shows I had gone to without him. I remember how disappointed he was for us the year before when we didn't bring home a belt buckle. With that memory in my head I stood in the arena after my amateur English equitation class and waited on pins and needles until my name and number was finally called. I don't usually cry easily but that moment I was so overjoyed that the tears fell. I keep that buckle framed. That same show she won the aged mare halter class and she was truly the only "aged" mare in there. She was nine years old going against a ring of five and six year olds. Those youngsters had nothing on my girl. She is now my beginner lesson horse and the mascot for my business.
If you could change one thing within the horse industry, what would that be?
I would love to change the western pleasure world's hang-up on movement. Flat-kneed movers are not the be all and end all. I agree that it does make a pretty picture, but a little action in the front doesn't mean the horse isn't a pleasure to ride. I mean isn't that the premise behind a western "œpleasure" horse?
Other than horses, what else do you enjoy doing for fun?
Wow, do I have time for anything else? Actually I love sports especially football, hockey and tennis. But I do a lot of writing, mostly poetry and song writing and I sing. I used to sing with a band back when I was younger, now I do acoustic sets with a friend of mine occasionally.
Is there a special significance to your avatar?
Nope.
Anything else we should know about you?
Hmm, basically I just love life and love a challenge. As I've said before if you're not growing then you are stagnating and life is supposed to be all about the journey, right?
Comments
aurgh! i hate how horses' natural movements are being messed with and everyone wonders why their horses are breaking down at a younger and younger age!
"Today, we are moving away from the art of authentic western riding. I don't know whether it is because we fail to remember its purpose or, as we become more sophisticate, we are embarrassed by its short history..."
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