Nancy McNary brings a unique mix to the equestrian community, unlimited enthusiasm and 25 years of devotion to horses. This is embodied in Nancy’s mission statement: to help you excel at your unique horse related goals, the pursuit of knowledge and dreams. Nancy says our horses are more than valuable possessions that need careful maintenance. “To us they represent beauty, companionship, and a way of life. So it comes as no surprise that our expectations of trainers for our precious animals are pretty lofty.” For The Love Of Horses Early in life Nancy’s love of horses brought her to Pony Club where she learned safety and horse management skills, as well as riding skills. She soon excelled both in and out of the show ring, mastering both the challenges of eventing and the intricacies of dressage. While in college she spent a year on the East Coast training with some of the best equine coaches and riders in the world: Jack LeGoff, Tad Coffin, and Mike Huber. When Nancy returned to California she completed her Masters in Education and began teaching elementary school. As she continued her career as a teacher, Nancy also managed to train students in her spare time. Last year Nancy realized that her skills in teaching and her vast knowledge of horses combined to provide her with the career of her dreams. With the support of her husband, David, she sold their home in San Diego and purchased 16 acres in Jamul. Nancy and David quickly went about renovating the property, fencing off pasture and adding a mare motel. They proceeded to develop a working stable with Nancy’s 28 year old pony Odie and Nancy’s other horses Scooter and Monty. Recently, Nancy purchased Wishing Well, an FEI Hanoverian gelding, the highlight of her program. With their own property as a work in progress, Nancy is currently basing her training program out of Hazy Meadows in Lakeside. Though a few years have passed since Nancy first had the idea to be a professional trainer, her mission is still the same: to help her students reach their long and short term goals, whether that goal is to become the best equestrian they can be or to compete seriously in the show arena. An Adamant Student Nancy feels that a responsible trainer is also a willing student. She continues to investigate new techniques to enhance her knowledge. Recently, Nancy’s studies included Chris Irwin’s “Train the Trainer” program. “It reinforced some of the beliefs I have always had,” explains Nancy. “I have always believed that you couldn’t really work with a horse without first developing a good relationship with them, one of mutual trust and respect.” Nancy took an interest in Chris’ techniques after reading his books, Dancing With Your Dark Horse and Horses Don’t Lie. As a school teacher she liked that his methods are based on psychology. Chris’ course taught Nancy methods of creating an instant bond with a horse. Nancy began using Chris’ horsemanship techniques on her 2 year old gelding, Monterey. Within hours his methods took Monty from belligerent to manageable and compliant. Nancy considers her knowledge and ability to implement Chris’ techniques to be another tool, one she can use in coordination with her classical dressage and eventing training. Nancy enjoys watching her students grasp and master new skills that enable them to move forward in their training. “You learn through observation and adaptation,” says Nancy. “You always have to be flexible, whether the problem is with an adult, a child, or the horse. Sometimes I come out with a plan of what I want to do that day only to realize that it’s not going to happen. So many horsemen get frustrated when they hit a plateau in their training, but that plateau is where mastery of a skill is done. You have to have mastery before you can move on to the next level.” Nancy’s long-time dream of having an equestrian career continues to become a reality. By sharing her unique talents as an educator, trainer, and rider with her students, they are able to move closer to their equestrian dreams. For more information about Nancy McNary call 619-252-9770, email roguemcnary@yahoo.com, or visit Nancy on the web at www.nancymcnary.com.