Spotlight: Allison Wolfe

by Annie B.

Allison Wolfe has been a steady presence at MVRU since I first met her over ten years ago. She came to us as a shy and quiet teenager, but she held a secret: what I would come to know and appreciate as her ‘determined way’. Her determination helped her pursue her desire to spend time with and around horses. She volunteered by care-taking horses, tack and equipment for a long time, observing, soaking it all up from the background, before I could convince her to actually have a lesson.

Alex Clayton, Allison, Kelly Schuh, Tulie Budiselich and Erin Schuh in 2009

To begin with, each and every lesson took lots of encouragement and she earned them through her volunteer time. Ever so slowly and gradually she became slightly more comfortable, less shy, and more accomplished at handling the horses, always preferring to have time alone with them to a lesson. As her skills and confidence built, she began to volunteer, ride more and quietly assist around the ranch in useful and knowledgeable ways.

Her confidence grew to the point that in the summer of 2007, she finally joined the staff. Her dedication to good horse care, attention to detail, and reliability make her invaluable as a horse care and stable manager. Over the years, she has become skilled at dressage, jumping, Natural Horsemanship, and working cattle, learning from a variety of sources: MVRU instructors, Jimmy Wofford and Buck Brannaman.

Allison honing her skills as an instructor

Even after graduating from high school and going off to college, she always came back to the ranch to be with her horses and people, in most cases working as much as possible. After college, Allison came back to work with us full-time and blossomed into a fantastic, thoughtful and skilled instructor not to mention honing her skills as one of the ranch's best cowhands. Today, she is continuing to challenge herself by pursuing her passion of becoming a Physical Therapist.

We recently had a chance to catch up with Allison and ask her about her experience at MVRU.

MVRU: What is your earliest memory of your time at the ranch?

AW: I started at MVRU volunteering just to get some horsey time. I remember sitting in the breeze way cleaning tack watching Annie teaching a lesson and watching to see what I could learn. I was incredibly quiet and shy when I started at MVRU. I loved the opportunity to just watch and pick up all the little details but I still got pushed to keep progressing.

MVRU: What is the most important thing you have learned from your time spent at the ranch?

AW: The most important thing I learned is that it takes hard work, perseverance and consistency to make improvement in your skills, in horse training and teaching. Skills I learned at the ranch have aided me in all other aspects of my life: from school to relationships.

Whatnot and Allison on a recent visit to the ranch

MVRU: Who is your favorite horse and why?

AW: Of course Whatnot is my favorite horse. He and I have gone through a development process together. He is a quirky character and came with quite a bit of baggage. He needed someone who would get through that wall he had built up. He and I have been through some scary situations together and we trust each other completely. He has become such a bombproof guy and is willing to try anything I ask of him. He is so much fun for cattle work and he becomes so aggressive and just loves his job, plus he has saved my bacon several times in the chute! I have to add that my favorites horses to teach with are Ginger and Buttons, those mares and I really work together to teach and they give my riders the amount of challenge they need while keeping everyone safe.

MVRU: What advice would you give to others who are just starting on their path with horses?

AW: My advice to riders starting out is to take any opportunity that comes your way. Ride different horses. Try jumping, dressage, cattle work, driving, groom at a school, audit a clinic, etc. You never know what you are going to learn. And take the time to develop your own methods. Don’t just jump on someone else's bandwagon. Take what you like from people and let the other stuff go.

We dream about the day when she may come back to us again, possibly as MVRU’s first in-house PT! We are so proud of you Allison. Your determined way will carry you far in life, hopefully on horseback.

Getting in Shape for Spring Session

This is how we start getting our 4-legged friends in shape for their spring work...lots of 'hacking' to build bone density and healthy tendons and ligaments. Thanks to some good little riders we can get multiple horses out for their exercise at one time.

Spring Session Is Coming!

Spring Session Registration Information is now available on our website. Visit www.mvriding.org to sign up.

The Wonderful World of Horses

The Wonderful World of Horses is a hands on, classroom style learning adventure for anyone eager to learn more general and specific information about horses. This winter four hardy and enthusiastic young ladies 6-9 years old have been attending the class every Wednesday. They are learning about horse breeds, nutrition and feeding practices, and the rhythm and footfalls of all the gaits. They have enjoyed the opportunity to engage with our horses in a different way...from the ground, not up in the saddle! Most importantly, they are connecting the dots, learning things that will maximize the experience of riding lessons later in the spring.

2014 - The Chinese Year of the Horse

We are looking forward to a terrific year!

Even though the snow is here and the horses are playing and resting up, we are planning ahead for Spring Session.

Currently we are hosting a Horsemanship Class for 6-8 year olds, studying horse breeds & sports, nutrition, the rhythm and footfalls of horse gaits and other fascinating things. It is inspiring to see how engaged and clever these young horsewomen are and how quickly they connect the dots! Stay tuned because Registration Information for Spring Session will be posted March 1st!

Happy Holiday Season to ALL! Mother Nature is delivering a VERY white holiday season this week! We are so grateful for another wonderful year of delivering high quality horsemanship programs to our community and friends. This year we are pleased to have served: *37 students between the ages of 4 and 18 in our weekly horsemanship lessons *25 5-8 year olds in Little Star summer horse camps *18 special elementary school students in the Let Em Ride program *16 students in our Horse Care classes. None of this could be accomplished without the generosrity of many volunteers and donors and our fantastic 4-legged staff. Warmest wishes for peace, joy and connection with loved ones this winter. We look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!

My friend Henry There is a difference between just riding the horse and making a connection with a horse. Henry showed me what it felt like to have a great relationship between horse and rider. Most of the time we were speaking the same language. Henry gave me so much; he gave me the ability to grow as a rider. And trust me looking back at photos and videos I (we) have improved immensely! When I first heard of Henry, I didn’t really know what to think. I heard he pulled A LOT. But I also heard he was a great jumper. I needed desperately for some confidence in jumping. I had just finished my last show with my pony Midnight. And I was ready to move on to another horse, but who? I know this may be hard to believe. But I had a dream about riding Henry. I dreamed about going to my first recognized event on him. (Looking back, I find it weird that I dreamt about riding him and here I am writing about how much he gave to me as a rider!) And so I started to ride him, and I took lessons and spent time with him, so I knew him inside and out. Then I started jumping him. Henry gave me confidence in my riding, to think to myself I can do this, I can conquer all obstacles. And with hard work the two of us, as a team did. As we grew as a team the movements got more challenging. And even though it was hard, especially for him, he kept moving. Henry also showed the fun parts to riding a great horse like him, to go cantering across a field and to feel completely comfortable and free. Through hard work and great times we got to this place that was very special. I understood him, he understood me and we where a great team. If you are a rider than you know what I am talking about. To feel connected to a horse is the best thing ever, to be an inseparable team. It seems not until something is gone from you, you start to appreciate them even more. And how much they gave you. Henry pushed me higher and gave me a true feeling of horse back riding. I will never forget that amazing place we got to; I will never forget the fun times we had. But most importantly I will never forget how much I love him and how far he has taken me. With the confidence he has given me, I feel confident with any horse I jump. And to me that is very important!  Now that I realize he was being ridden by me and used lessons with a neck injury it makes me appreciate him even more!! I LOVE YOU HEN!