Maggie Meier Hello all! My name isMaggie Meier and I’m a long time Glass-ed member. For starters, I began riding at the age of four on a Shetland pony named Sammy. At the time, I was so small that I had to ride in a jockey saddle. My sisters and I trained with Jeane Metsker for many years. Sammy was a great little pony but the only thing we showed was In Hand, and we were great at it. My motivation towards dressage was probably seeing my sisters do it. Katie has always been in love with it and Suki enjoyed the friendly competition. After hearing them talk about what happened at the barn today, or what new thing they learned, it was my turn to give it a shot.
Currently, I have a 10 year old haflinger/standardbred cross. His name is Duke, he’s a bay with a white stripe down his nose, and he’s the love of my life. Every year is a new challenge for us. We started off in training level, working with Kerry Petty, and slowly worked our way up. This past year we competed in the first level category and did well. Fortunately, the fun doesn’t stop there. After we master all movements of first level, we’re moving into second. Currently I am training with Bernadette Radke. All the trainers I’ve had benefited me in a different way. Jeane taught all the basics and safety, things you can’t get through without. Kerry really showed me what muscles are important to riding and how to be balanced for the horse to respond. Sportsaj is a great program; check it out if you haven’t yet! Bernadette has been my trainer since May and she knows everything about my horse. Since May we’ve been perfecting the movements and getting him round.
I’m not usually one for picking favorites but if I had to name off some favorite horse people, here’s a few: the Humes- horse buddies from the beginning! Kathie Gearheart- Always knows how to make a horse show really fun and is full of confidence. Bill Maybee- Mystic Marsh has always been my favorite and Bill and I have known each other since I was about five. Kerry Petty- she always knows what to do to make the horse respond, it’s truly amazing. Bernadette Radke- everything she does inspires me and it’s really cool to train with someone who knows so much about the sport. Pam Meier (my mom) is at every show; always the person at E; knows exactly what to do to get me in the zone - I would be nowhere without her. Coby and Nancy Martin (grandparents), they may not ride them, but a horse person is almost an understatement. Nana comes if it’s raining or sunny (or snowing) and it means so much to me. Papa is without a doubt my biggest fan and is/will always be there for me no matter what it is. Now that I threw those out there, thank you to everyone who has been there for me.
I’d have to say that the most memorable experience I’ve had with a horse was at a Battle Creek show. I had Ashley, my favorite pony in the world, and we thought it would be fun to do a bareback class. The night before, I gave her a really good bath and put probably a bottle of show sheen on her to make sure she didn’t get dirty. When we got to the test, she was unusually hyper and I was sliding all over the place. We hung in there until I had to canter and make a circle at C. She flew, and so did I… off the side of her. After lying in the dirt laughing for a minute I got up and had my mom come put me back on. I slid right off the other side of her. Although my mom and I thought it was hilarious, the judge did not. Apparently show sheen and bareback isn’t a good mix. Other than dressage and occasional bareback class, Duke and I have started to get involved in some jumping. He loves it almost more than I do. Hopefully we’ll make it to some events next year!
When I’m not riding I spend my time playing other sports and being with friends and family. Over the years, dressage has shaped my life tremendously. No horse in my life is almost equivalent to no air in my lungs. I focus on it so much and that I have become dependent on it, my horse is my battery.
For anyone new to Glass-ed, welcome and enjoy it. This is nothing you’ll regret. And for the members I’ve gotten to know or competed against, thanks for making me the rider I am today. I know I owe you some credit. Everyone have a fun-filled, hardworking, happy winter and I’ll see you next spring!
