Never Too Late
I came from a family of horse enthusiasts. My mother and her siblings grew up with
ponies and rode with the hunt, as soon as they were old enough. My aunt went on to a
lifetime career in breeding and racing thoroughbreds. Many of my cousins are
involved in competitive jumping, eventing and driving. My parents have had horses
for over thirty years. They were involved with racing and breeding thoroughbreds and
now have trail and pleasure horses. As a youngster I did some riding, but was never one
of those horse crazy girls. Growing up in the sixties, I naturally had to be
rebellious! Then came college, marriage and family. It wasn't until about ten
years ago that I became re-acquainted with horses and eventually fell in love with them.
It all started with a simple twist of fate - also known as, a phone call from my
father. I started overseeing the management of our ranch in Florida. During
that time, I got to know Jackie Brittain and the Morgans that would change my life. (Read all about Jackie,
Merriewold's Trainer, here)
Morgans made the difference.
The little Morgan mare that changed my mind about horses is named Hot
Chocolate. She is my ideal horse. First of all, she is sweet to be around and
enjoys the company of people. Secondly, she is beautiful: a chiseled head with
huge eyes and tiny ears, a long arched neck, smooth back and a full, wavy mane and
tail. But her most endearing trait is her willing disposition. On the trail
she is a steady, energetic ride. She prefers being out front, but will go to the
back if needed. In the arena her natural ability to use her back and hind quarters
make her well suited for almost any sport division. If she could talk, I believe her
favorite words would be, "OK, let's go!
The first horse I purchased was, of course, a Morgan and his name was Jazzman.
After having owned him for just a short while, I was bitten by the 'horse bug'. My
love of horses began with Jazz. Hot Chocolate may have changed my mind, but Jazzman
changed my heart!! Jazz has taught me the basics of riding and horsemanship:
patience, persistence, intention, communication, attention to detail, and to sit
deep. Jazz has learned from me, as well, and together we have become a confident
team. We started with trail riding, tried some jumping and then discovered dressage.
Morgans, Breeding, Riding & Dressage.
My desire to breed Morgans evolved gradually. The positive experiences I
have had with Hot Chocolate, her sister Smurfette and then with Jazz, have taught me to
appreciate the attributes of Morgans as compared to other breeds. While other
breeds have many good qualities, only Morgans have inspired me to become more involved
with horses.
Jackie Brittain and I traveled to New England to see some of the established Morgan
breeding farms, to learn more about this wonderful breed. We visited East of
Equinox, UVM Morgan Horse Farm, and Rumbrook Farm to name a few. When I saw their
commitment to the breed, the niche that each had created for themselves in the Morgan
world, the quality of their horses, the care, the passion...I knew that I wanted that too.
Then I discovered Dressage. The systematic athletic development of the horse
combined with the refinement of communication skills - between horse and rider, to produce
a partnership which exhibits suppleness, strength, responsiveness, grace, and power.
My goal is to put it all together...Morgans, breeding, riding and dressage.
Horses, especially Morgans, have given me so much, enriched my life and opened many
doors. It is a pleasure and a honor to be associated with such beautiful, noble
beings. They have brought joy, stability and passion to my life. Everyday I am
grateful to have discovered a life with horses and through Merriewold Morgans, I hope to
share some of my passion with others.
Diana J Wold
Read about
Merriewold's Training Program here...
Read all about
Jackie, Merriewold's Trainer, here...
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