Deborah & Winston - Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun - Part 2

*Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun* 

Part Two

Just last week, we hearkened back to Kayla's post introducing Deborah Herbert and also Deborah's blog, The 50+ Equestrian. We then recapped Deborah's first month with her Equicizer, Winston, and saw the exciting progress she was making. 

The goal of this Wooden Horse Wednesday blog series is to get you caught up on Deborah’s journey and encourage you to follow along directly with her! While the recap here will “hit the high notes”, be sure to check out her blog page for more pictures, videos, healthy eating advice, and detail! We just love her narrative style as it shows her fun, quirky, and positive personality.

May 2018

Deborah begins the month of May with some speculations about what effect a workout on Winston has in comparison to a workout on her "AQHA princess", Belle. While there is plenty of evidence that both horses have stolen her heart, more specifically she was interested in what they did to her heart rate. Deborah employed her fitness tracker and tracked herself riding Belle at a walk and sitting trot... then riding Winston at a trot (with some posting) and canter. Deborah noticed that her heart rate increased and peaked in similar ways on Winston that it did with her mare, yet the workout on Winston was more vigorous.

The first peak is with Belle. The second is on Winston.

Deborah notes that the increased rate during her ride on Belle actually starts about an hour before the lesson. This could be attributed to the anxiety she carries when riding "real" horses ever since her accident. After noticing this evidence on the fitness tracker app, she took it upon herself to meditate on a Bible verse and take that verse in her heart to the lesson the following day rather than carrying the burden of anxiety.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

You can see the clear difference from the first riding lesson on Belle that she tracked to the next. While there is still a pre-ride spike, Deborah's consciousness and faith allowed her to be in control of the anxiety. Besides the fact that the pre-ride anxiety spike is noticeably absent on Winston, Deborah noticed another difference between her living room workouts and her arena workouts: 

I also recorded my footsteps, started my ride in the evening at 8590 steps, after my 30 minute session with Winston it was up to 11,646…a difference of 3050 added during my workout!

In conjunction with the health benefits - mental and physical - of riding, Deborah touches on the ways that eating better has impacted her entire household. Not only does she feel much healthier, but her husband was able to lose weight and avoid being put on insulin, and her mare Belle even gets benefit out of a healthy concoction Deborah cooks up for her each day.

Progressing through the month saw one little set back for Deborah. Mini horse Caspian was trying to get in on Belle's belly rub and, when Belle went to give him a warning bite, she caught Deborah on the leg instead. OUCH! Luckily Deborah had Winston there for her to hop on to test out the injury before getting back on Belle.

Swinging up in the saddle on Winston Saturday was not only a safe test of whether I should ride, but also a gentle, then gradually more rigorous work out between my lessons.

In May, Deborah made a creative adjustment to her training regimen in response to the rainy spring weather in Florida. She started using weights with Winston! She made a very cool video showing some of the basic workouts she developed with the weights and how she first masters them without the horse's movement. Then she challenges herself to remain balanced as she completes the same maneuvers with the weights while the horse is in motion.

Weights & Winston... a winning alliteration!

We love that Deborah is pointing out here one of the most appealing elements of the Equicizer. It's a workout your way and it does not matter what the weather is doing! You can ride it while watching TV and do different exercises during each commercial! It doesn't matter if it's raining, snowing, or just unbearably hot outside. You can always enjoy a workout on the Equicizer from the comfort of your home.

Hubby says I am going to wear poor Winston out.

I secretly think Winston really isn’t concerned…we’re having too much fun!

The end of May saw a rough patch for Belle. She came in with some hives after some particularly heavy rain. The suspect? Ground wasps. Luckily she is was still eating well and responded great to a holistic treatment. 

June 2018

 The month of June came with more tough weather - heat and rain - and the onset of hurricane season! When the forecast is gloomy, Deborah has no fear that she will have the opportunity for a workout.

I can ride in my pjs or after I’ve sloshed through the yard back from cleaning the barn. Yay!!! He doesn’t care, and he doesn’t get crabby!

Deborah had the opportunity to invite a few friends over and they gave her some feedback on Winston. One rider is an equine/human physical therapist and the other is a licensed psychologist who works with riders and is working toward a silver medal in dressage. They said:

Winston has amazingly authentic gaits ! Perfect to facilitate or maintain riders muscle memory from beginners to advanced . Practice upper level moves even when you don’t have an upper level horse ! Lots of fun.

I was pleased to meet her patient and SAFE riding exercise partner and quickly learned he was a real workout. Winston requires the use of my core muscles to move and a non-restricting hand to keep him going. With Deb’s guidance I was able to experience walk, trot and canter, as well as feel how to keep my arms and legs independent from my seat. Winston was also very sensitive to any changes in the rhythm of my seat or lifting my seat from the saddle. He was also a real tattle tale if my rein contact became inconsistent. In about 10 minutes I was sweating and 20 was all I could handle. Winston was a fun and instructive way to stay in condition for riding.

As we all know, June also brought about the very exciting win for Justify and jockey Mike Smith at the Belmont Stakes. Deborah writes that she watched from atop Winston and cheered as the pair made their Triple Crown winning victory. 

Deborah joked with her trainer that her mare seems to go out of her way to get out of work. Belle came in once with a mysterious scrape that put her off work for a few days. Later in the month, she came in a little colicky and Deborah spent the night out in the barn checking in on her. She pulled through okay and Deborah had a chance to work on this beautiful new painting!

Click here to see more

After a workout at LA Fitness with her daughter, Deborah's suspicion that her left side is weaker was confirmed by the trainer. She was able to have a productive workout and she even picked up a few targeted exercises to incorporate into her workouts with Winston. Another exciting moment was having the Alpha Dressage Association GMO Club stop by and check out the horse in the living room! Everyone took their turn riding Winston and was impressed.

I LOVE my Equicizer! (He’s a party animal!)

Check back with us next week for Part Three of this special three part series!

By Amanda Elia

www.equicizer.com 

Deborah & Winston - Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun - Part 1

*Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun* 

These four things are the pillars identified by this week's Wooden Horse Wednesday woman in the spot light for the next few weeks. 

Back in late April, Kayla introduced you to an inspirational woman named Deborah Herbert who was just beginning a journey with her Equicizer, Winston. In the months since, she has been sharing her story and we will recap it for you in a short blog series. As far as the background info (in case you missed it), here is a quick rundown:

• ·        Who? Deborah is a “50+” equestrian from sunny Florida. She is an equine artist (Hearthstone Studio), art education consultant, grant writer, and so much more! Until her injury, she was actively competing with her American Quarter Horse mare, Belle, in Level 3 Western Dressage. 

  

  Deborah and Winston in her home.

• ·        What? Deborah started a blog call “The50PlusEquestrian” to chronicle her journey back to competition-level fitness with her Equicizer, Winston. Her blog is an engaging look into her spiritual, emotional, and physical journey back to (and hopefully past!) the place she started when he arrived. As of late March, Deborah hadn’t ridden in six months, had broken her wrist three months prior, and was suffering from increasing anxiety over getting back in the saddle with every day that her mare was laid up with an injury of her own. 

  

  https://50plusequestrian.com/

• ·        How? Deborah originally got in contact with us hoping to find a used Equicizer. We were honest with her in replying that used Equicizers are very hard to come by. People generally hold on tight once they get one! That said, the stars aligned so that she was able to find a used Equicizer in Ohio and arranged for it to be transported to the Equicizer workshop. We packed it up and shipped it to her in Florida. 

  

  Winston and Beau the black lab.

• ·        Why? While Deborah’s goal of regaining her mental and physical competitive edge is a very clear one, there are many more “whys” in play. The answer to why she chose the Equicizer over strictly doing traditional physical therapy or exercise, is because there is nothing else that can so closely replicate the motion of a real horse and the muscle movements needed to ride effectively while also providing safety. You can work at your own pace, ensure safety, and not worry about training or untraining the horse.

The goal of this Wooden Horse Wednesday blog series is to get you caught up on Deborah’s journey and encourage you to follow along with her! While the recap here will “hit the high notes”, be sure to check out her blog page for more pictures, videos, healthy eating advice, and detail! We just love her narrative style as it shows her fun, quirky, and positive personality.

April 2018

So of course the first step of the process was the arrival of Deborah’s (in her words) dreamy buckskin. After some help from the kind-hearted delivery driver with getting the package up her driveway toward the house, Deborah was able to unpack, assemble, and get Winston in his stall…er…her living room, in 20 minutes!

Winston, you were worth the wait!

In the next installment of her blog, she writes of having developed a 30 minute workout regimen on the Equicizer after some good stretching. Deborah was kind enough to mention how the videos found on Equicizer.com were of great help to her as she learned to ride Winston. She also spoke of her fondness for the Equicizer Elastic Rein Attachments.

These little elastic wonders create that magical feeling, when reins are gathered up, with contact, a correct seat, following hands, stacked core, lower back strong yet supple….of an honest to goodness... REAL half halt!

By the time we reach mid-April, Deborah had posted about what an amazing impact eating mindfully and organically has had on her body. Warning: Don’t read this post if you are hungry! Likewise, she writes of noticing a substantial difference in her fitness since having the Equicizer to exercise on. Where regular exercise is a chore, riding Winston is a pleasure. She says,

In the month I’ve had the “horse in the house”…I can already tell a big difference. A difference in my attitude, my body and my joy, because although I AM exercising and eating right…I’m having fun doing it.

As April comes to a close, Deborah has us laughing alongside her as two little girls visit her home. She was able to divert their attention from the horse in the barn to the horse… in the house!! The Equicizer provided a safe and calm learning environment for the girls and for Deborah. 

Two adorable little girls took turns clambering like squirrels up onto Winston, held reins correctly, walked and trotted with perfect transitions and no rein snatching. What a joy!

Next we hear about Deborah’s progress with her mare, Belle, who had needed some time off. Fortunately, Deborah has a great trainer whom she trusts to both challenge her and gently guide her through her return to competition with Belle. One of her greatest hurdles, stemming from an accident years ago, is anxiety and this is not at all an uncommon issue for many equestrians. Again, this is where the Equicizer can provide a safe and calm environment to build confidence. It works for the beginners who were visiting the house and it works for Deborah who is a Level 3 Western Dressage competitor!

Winston is helping me rehab my body back into rider fitness, and I’m enjoying myself!

For today, our parting gift is this fun video Deborah made. You can really tell how fond she is of her "horse in the house"!

Check back with us next week for Part Two of this special three part series!

By Amanda Elia

www.equicizer.com

Equicizer Model Comparison

If you've been reading our blog, there's a good chance you're at least slightly familiar with who we are and what we do. You've probably checked out our main product - the Equicizer - in our online store and you might even be aware that we make two Equicizer models, the Equicizer Classic and the Equicizer Elite. By far one of the most common questions that we get asked in inquiries from prospective customers is what the difference is between our Classic and Elite models. 

Do they function the same? 

Are they the same size? 

Why are they priced differently? 

These are all great questions and those of you who own an Equicizer or follow our blog and social media may be familiar with the differences between the two models but I'd go so far as to guess that some of our customers and many of our supporters are not completely acquainted with all of the nuanced differences between the two models. Today we're going to cover the things that make both of our models uniquely different.

First, some similarities: 

• Both of our Equicizer models are entirely hand crafted by Frankie Lovato. The quality and durability of the materials used are identical and the building processes for both are very similar (keeping in mind the additional customization that comes with the Elite). 
• Every Equicizer can support up to 500lbs.
• All Equicizers come with the option of Short, Medium or Long mane.
• Customers also get their style rein of choice - English, Western, Therapy or Racing.
• Each Equicizer comes with our Indoor MedCasters or the All Terrain Wheels, which are better suited for outdoor use.
• We offer a $450 flat rate shipping fee to anywhere in the continental USA no matter which model you purchase.

Now the differences:

Body Color:

The Classic is available in only Black or Brown/Bay. The Elite comes in Black, Brown/Bay, Brown/Sorrel, Buckskin, Gray or Palomino. 

Mane & Tail

We offer a black mane and tail for our Classic model. The Elite mane and tails compliment the body color that the customer chooses but are customizable to allow for a wide range of variety. You can see the variation in color available shown on our color chart below.

Facial Markings:

Both our Classic and Elite model heads are made from a select grade pine grown in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Elite model offers a head that is fully hand carved by Equicizer creator Frankie Lovato, which includes the eyes and nostrils. Once the carving is complete, the painting and finishing process begins. Customers have the option to request custom facial markings on their Elite Equicizer and many send photos of their beloved (or ideal!) horse to base them off of. Again, Frankie Lovato himself airbrushes the custom facial markings on each Elite and applies the finishing accents and clear coat to each Equicizer revealing a beautiful wood grain finish. Custom facial markings are not offered on the Classic model but each head is still hand carved by Frankie and given a smooth, sleek finish.

Nameplate

A personalized nameplate is another perk that comes with our Elite Equicizer model. Customers often enjoy naming their Equicizer after their favorite horse, real or imaginary, and many schools/programs who purchase their Equicizer with the help of a grant or donor, will include the sponsor's name on the plate in a continuous display of gratitude. The Classic model does come with a nameplate but it is not personalized. Customers who buy the Classic do have the option of purchasing a personalized nameplate in our online store.

Side Rails

Our Classic models come with solid black, metal side rails versus the sturdy wooden running boards made of solid oak that accompany each Elite model.

Warranty

Finally, both of our Equicizer models come with a warranty, which is extended considerably on the Elite model. This warranty applies to both springs and neck bands, the only parts that may need replacing. The average lifespan of these parts is around 5-10 years for the bands and 10-20 years for the springs and while we have many Equicizers that are 20+ years old and have never needed any replacement parts, a band or spring does occasionally go sooner than expected (for one reason or another) and we do all that we can to make sure you're covered if this happens. 

Our Classic model includes a 3 year warranty on springs and neck bands for personal use, 18 months for schools, programs etc. where being used by multiple riders. 

Our Elite model includes a 10 year extended warranty on springs and neck bands for personal use, 5 years for schools, programs etc. where being used by multiple riders.

~~~~~~~~~

Both of our Equicizer models are made with great care. Aside from the added perks outlined above, the Elite model does take a great deal longer to build because of the extra attention to the finer details that are required, and this necessitates the price difference between the two. A lot of our customers love the extra involvement in the building process that the Elite allows for and the more elegant look of the finished product. The Classic, however, is a great option in it's own right - functioning the same as the Elite - and offering a sporty look for those that do not need the more refined look of the Elite model. We would be happy to personally answer any additional questions not covered here. Please send us an email at info@equicizer.com or give us a call, 419-663-1472.

Look out for the answers to some common questions about the Equicizer, including our building and shipping process, in an upcoming Wooden Horse Wednesday!

by Kayla Jarvinen

www.equicizer.com

Meet the Equicizer Team! - Amanda Elia

This week marks the third installment of our "Meet the Equicizer Team" series!

Amanda Elia

Director of Social Media

Churchill Downs, June 2017

Amanda is from the North coast of Ohio and was born in the same city where the Equicizer workshop is located, Norwalk! Her experience with horses dates back farther than she can even remember. This lifelong love was nurtured by lessons on her aunt's Appaloosas, riding lessons, volunteering at various barns, friends offering their horses, and finally at age 15, a horse of her own. Amanda was very active in high school in National Honor Society, college classes, track and field, and of course 4H! After high school, she went on to earn her BA in English with a focus on writing and a minor in Spanish Language at the University of Toledo. After college she worked as a writer for a while before falling into what she calls her "accidental career" in healthcare. Currently, Amanda manages a family medicine practice near Cleveland in addition to her work with Wooden Horse Corporation.

Where did you grow up?  

I grew up in Huron, Ohio, which is just about dead center along the northern edge of the state. For all but three years of my life, I lived in a house on the south side of town with a cornfield in my backyard. Beyond the cornfield there were woods and behind one row of houses, there was a valley separated by a crick lined by willow trees! It was a quiet, idyllic, happy place to grow up!

I couldn't say "Marcella"
so Marella it was!

What is your earliest memory?  
One of my earliest memories is sitting on the big hill in front of our first home. I would sit there with my mom and wait for my dad to come home from work. For some reason, I named it the "Miss Marella" hill after a duck from one of my (many) favorite childhood books about a duck that paints the moon.

Did you have any pets as a child?  What kind?

Jasmine

My first pet was a cat I named Jasmine after the Disney Princess, of course. I had many cats, a hamster, an African Clawed frog, fish, birds, and a dog named Moose, I was also famous for insisting on nurturing various wild animals back to health including a dove we named Tess and a robin.

What did you do during the summertime?

Growing up in Northern Ohio, I had Lake Erie a few blocks north of home and endless woods and fields all around me. I loved to swim (I could swim before I could walk), lay on the beach, walk through the woods, fish, and of course go to Cedar Point! We also had a zoo membership and went often.

Grandpa Ralph

Who was the most influential person to you as a child?

I could write a book on the influence of my parents, but besides the two of them, one of the most influential people on me was my Grandpa Ralph. He always made me feel like I was the absolute apple of his eye. He was proud of everything I did and always made me feel special. On a more somber note, losing him when I was six taught me about grief and the value of appreciating the time you have with your family members. I think losing him made me appreciate my other grandparents even more.

Who was your best friend?  Are you still in touch with them?

Lindsay & I at my
wedding at Nickajack Farms

My best friend was and still is Lindsay. We were inseparable and many people thought we were sisters. Though we went to different colleges and she lives in Cincinnati now, we will always be best friends. She was the matron of honor in my wedding last August.

What is your definition of “happiness”?

Being around horses! There is so much value in the activities we enjoy "unplugged". I love that horses give me so much time to connect with nature.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

What spare time? Kidding. I love to travel with my husband, Eric, read, exercise, ride, and garden. I still actively compete with Chester in English Pleasure and speed classes. Since we were married last August, Eric and I have traveled to Jamaica, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Over the next year, we have plans to visit Houston, Toronto, and the Bahamas.

What equine in your lifetime made the biggest impact on you and why?

The first time I met
Chester at his old home.

As mentioned earlier, I got my horse Chester when I was 15. A few years prior, I had actually been banned from asking for a horse because my parents felt bad that was not something they could give me. My mom had told me to pray for one because God was the only one who could provide that. Well, He did! My dad came home from work one day and said his boss was looking to re-home her own horse's pasture companion as she was moving to full board. My parents discussed it and said I would have to pay the expenses. I readily agreed, met Chester, fell in love, and found a boarding farm just down the road that only charged 75$/month! I went to Mexico on a mission trip and my parents said they'd decide by the time I got home. I came home from Mexico on my 15th birthday and they suggested we stop out to the boarding facility to check it out. I was bummed they hadn't made up their minds and became agitated when my dad just strolled out into the pasture, telling him he couldn't just make himself at home! My mom grabbed my arm and pointed saying, "Amanda look at the horse he is walking toward". They had gotten Chester for me when I was away... the rest is history!

What horseman made the biggest impact on your riding/horsemanship and why?

Dumplin & me at County Fair

Being that Chester was a 7 year old OTTB who had just had 2 years of turnout, our first year or two together was quite rough. Joining 4H was the best thing I ever did. In addition to the support of other leaders, I linked up with a trainer named Wendy who took me under her wing and transformed me as a rider. I also showed her mare, a TWH named Copy's Apple Dumplin. The combination of being able to learn on her mare and my own horse really helped me make strides (no pun intended) in Chester's training. I still love catching up with her and consider her the most influential person on my competitive career.

How did you become a part of Wooden Horse Corporation?

My brother helped on a construction job for Frankie and linked us up!

What is it like working in the Wooden Horse Corporation office?

I typically work remotely, but I treasure the quarterly in-office check-ins because spending time with Frankie and Kayla in person is so fun! When the three of us get together, we really get on a role with ideas and planning. Moreover, the office is a great place in and of itself. If you are in the area, I recommend making an appointment to check it out. There is lots of history there and fun things to see!

What do you think the future holds for Wooden Horse Corporation?

The future is very bright for WHC! Without giving too much away, there are so many cool new directions the Equicizer will be going in the next 5 years.

www.equicizer.com

Equicizer Identification

Did you know that each and every Equicizer has an identification number unique to that specific Equicizer? Equicizer creator, Frankie Lovato, created this identification system back when he made his very first Equicizer in 1981. The identification system has remained largely the same, with some small variations as the Equicizer has evolved through the years.

As you may already know, Frankie created his very first Equicizer in 1981, out of pure necessity, to help himself rehab from a badly fractured leg sustained in a racing accident. (You can learn more about how and why this Equicizer came to be by reading more here.) After that first Equicizer creation, Frankie had no intention of building more but word slowly got out and other riders began seeking a tool that would allow them to rehab and stay in shape, so in 1984 he built his second Equicizer, for Hall of Fame Jockey Laffit Pincay. Some more time lapsed but word was continuing to spread and by 1988 Lovato had more Equicizer requests from fellow jockeys.

The 100th Equicizer built in 1991 belonged to
Hall of Fame Jockey, Eddie Maple. This was before
the development of the body motion. It is now used
in the Jockeys' Room on the New York Racing circuit.

In these early years, there were few options, aside from body color, and there was only one Equicizer model. This model did not have body motion and was sold primarily to others jockeys. The identification numbers for the Equicizer in these early years were comprised solely of a series of numbers.

In 1993 Frankie created his very first Equicizer with body motion, which gave customers the option to choose between the original model that featured neck motion only and the newer model with body motion. By 1994 almost everyone was choosing the latter. These two Equicizer models were differentiated between with the letters "T" for traditional or "M" for motion.

By the end of the 90's, partly due to the addition of body movement in the Equicizer, interest from riders of every discipline all around the world had increased dramatically. At this time Frankie introduced an Equicizer model with a fully hand carved and detailed face and a more basic model without these additional details, for those that were concerned only about the benefits the Equicizer offered, as opposed to the finer artistic features. For record keeping, these were defined as the G1 model and the G2 model, which has morphed into what we know today as the Equicizer Elite and the Equicizer Classic models, respectively.

Upon the completion of each Equicizer, before it is packaged and leaves our workshop, it is assigned an identification code which identifies the model ("E" for Elite or "C" for Classic), the year and month it was built, as well as the order it was built in regards to the number of Equicizers that came before it. Every Equicizer is also personally signed by Frankie himself (as seen in above photo).

Do you have your own Equicizer at home or at the barn? If so, take a peek underneath the rear back panel of your Equicizer and you will see his or her unique identification code as well as Frankie's autographed signature!

by Kayla Jarvinen

www.equicizer.com

Meet the Equicizer Team! - Kayla Jarvinen

This week marks the second installment of our "Meet the Equicizer Team" series!

Kayla Jarvinen

Office Manager

Kayla was born in Flint, Michigan and grew up loving horses, despite having little prior experience with them. She has worked for Wooden Horse Corporation since 2014 - aside from a brief hiatus when she pursued an internship on a Thoroughbred rehab farm in Versailles, Kentucky throughout the summer/fall of 2015 - where upon her return, she assumed the role of Office Manager at Wooden Horse Corporation, helping to run daily operations and assisting in special events. She is also the Assistant Director of Jockey World, Inc., an organization focused on educating people about horse racing, where she helped create the “365 Days of Racing Terminology” video series in 2013 with organization founder, Frankie Lovato. The love of her life is her OTTB, Intrinsic Worth “Shorty”. She knows firsthand the benefits the Equicizer provides and is excited about the direction the business continues to head in!

When and where were you born? – I was born in Flint, Michigan on (Friday) January 13th, 1995.

Growing up, what did you enjoy doing during the summertime? – I was blessed with many wonderful, loving grandparents. I loved spending summers visiting, baking and traveling/camping with them.

What was your favorite game? – It figures that Horse-opoly is the first that comes to mind! It was fun. For me, at least... ha ha 😂 


Proof of the horse crazy little girl I was!

What was your favorite subject to study? – History! I was probably the only 5th grader who couldn’t wait for “Social Studies” each day. I still enjoy learning and reading about historical places/events and look forward to traveling to some more of those places in the future.

What was your favorite sport? – I played volleyball up until high school but horse racing was (and still is) easily my sport of choice.



My favorite - "Solomon"
Versailles, Kentucky 2015

How would you describe yourself as a student, both socially and academically? – Growing up I was very shy and stuck close to my small group of friends. School came fairly easily to me and I was highly motivated (to finish, that is) so I was very blessed in that sense! And yes, I was inevitably known to everyone as that crazy horse girl.

What would people you know find surprising about you as a teen? – People that know me now would probably be surprised by how shy I was growing up. I’m still quiet by nature (unless you’re fortunate enough to know me very well – then I apologize in advance) but I enjoy interacting with and getting to know people… especially our customers! Without exaggeration, they are some of the most incredible people I have ever met.

What was your first job? – My first official job was with the Equicizer, here at Wooden Horse Corporation, shortly after high school.

In addition to being paid money, how else has your career created value in your life? – My job has given me the opportunity to travel and participate in many different events around the mid-west, east coast and down south a bit too. I have grown tremendously as a person since beginning my time here from the simplest tasks such as answering a telephone to writing an email to interacting with people of various backgrounds all around the world. I have met more amazing horsemen than I can count from disciplines that range the entire spectrum. My job has opened countless opportunities for me, both personally and professionally and given me the chance to be one part of a very close knit team! I feel so blessed to be doing what I am.

What does the word “family” mean to you? – When I hear the word family I immediately think of my parents, siblings and grandparents. Growing up we were and still are, very close. We're more spread out now, but I visit them every chance I get. Then I think of the family you begin to create as you grow through life… they are awesome. I am very fortunate to have had the chance to surround myself with so many strong, loving people that inspire me every day.

Do you have siblings? How many, are they older or younger? – I have 3 younger siblings. At this time they are 13 (sister), 14 (brother) and 15 (sister). The older we get, the closer we grow. They mean the world to me!


Visiting my family and siblings in Georgia, March 2018

Who is your biggest fan? – My family and friends are by far my biggest fans! I am forever grateful for the support they have and continue to show me, no matter what I choose to do.

Whose biggest fan are you? – I’d like to think I’m my siblings’ biggest fan… I will always support them no matter where they go or what they do.

What do you like to do in your spare time? – I’m a huge book worm! I love to spend time with my horse and other animals, baking, gardening, practicing my photography and continuing to educate myself on various topics in the health and wellness world which is my most recent interest.

My big, bad boy.
Intrinsic Worth aka "Shorty"

Talk about a horse you own now or one you used to own or lease. – As previously mentioned, I own an off track Thoroughbred named Intrinsic Worth (nicknamed “Shorty”). Shorty arrived in Ohio 1 week before I did in 2012. He came from a 3 year layoff in Florida where he had been recuperating from an injury after being rescued and retired by a woman who had trained and continued to follow his racing career after he had left her barn as a 3-year-old. (With many thanks and much love Hilary Pridham)

Frankie Lovato rode and won on Shorty as a 2-year-old before their careers took them in separate directions. Almost a decade later, they reunited back in Norwalk, Ohio. Shortly after, I moved to Norwalk and learned how to not only ride on Shorty, but how to gallop a race horse as well. I fell in love with him and became lucky enough to call him mine. It was nothing less than meant to be.

What is it like working in the Wooden Horse Corporation office? – It’s a very laid back and comfortable, close knit atmosphere. We have fun but we all work very hard as well. Working for a small, growing company is very rewarding and allows you to dabble in many different sections of the business. I’ve learned a tremendous amount and have gained skills in so many different areas. The future is a wide open slate and there’s no doubt it will continue to serve me moving forward.

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