FORHORSEPEOPLE • ABOUTHORSEPEOPLE
SIDELINESMAY 2014 41
Marilyn is all smiles after completing their RolexKentucky
dressage test in 2012. They finished their first four-star event in
ninth place.
Photo byAllenMacMillan/MacMillanPhotography
If you were a journalist and could interview anyone in the
world, whowould it be?
My grandmothers. They were remarkably different women, but
their strength as human beings is inspirational tome to this day.
Plus, there are some fabled family stories I would love to know
their side of….
What’s thebest advice you’vebeengiven?
Albert Voorn told me, “Marilyn, you must always remember,
never ride faster than your horse can run.”
What’syour ideaof happiness?
The blessedmoments when the people that mean themost in
your life are close, happy and healthy.
If youhad thechance tosit onone legendaryshow jumperor
eventer from thepast, whichhorsewould it be?
The eventer would beMark Todd’sCharisma and for the show
jumper it wouldbeRodrigoPessoa’s Tomboy.
What’s been themost surprising thing to you so far in your
career?
The power of a person’s words. Words have an incredible life-
givingcapacity tosupport,orpositively impact,another individual’s
life at more moments than we are aware of. Good trainers,
parents, teachers and friends know this. I’ve been amazed by
some of the simple words that havemade a difference inmy life
at various times, either as a rider or as a person. On the flip side,
I’vealsobeen terriblydisappointedby the lackof consideration for
the damage that words can cause in the life of another. It’s easy
toget wrappedup inour busy lives and to fall into the social traps
our close-knit community creates. Our constant responsibility to
remember that we each have the ability to impact the lives of
others within our given community – for better or worse – should
not be overlooked.
About the Writer: A graduate of Purdue University with degrees in agriculture
journalism and animal science, KimMacMillan has been writing about horses and
equestrian competition, science, agriculture, history and travel for over 30 years.
Also an accomplished photographer, she and her husband, Allen, own MacMillan
Photography&MediaServices. They liveonan84-acre farm inNortheastern Indiana
where they raiseWarmbloodhorses and sport ponies.
