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Monday, January 30 2023 / Published in Weekly Feature

Looking Glass Farm and Menorcans: A Black Stallion Look-Alike Breed 

Kelly Sigler

Looking Glass Farm

Wagener, South Carolina

Horse development specialist and horsemanship instructor

How did you get started in the horse world? 

I have been part of the horse world since I was 4 years old, so 48 years now! I started showing when I was 12. I grew up in South Texas, next door to the King Ranch, so options were more veered to the Western side of things. I was active in 4-H and ranch life. My mare was off the King Ranch, and she was my transportation and my partner in barrel racing and roping, then jumping when I found out about that!  

What part do you play in the horse world?  

Fast forward from my teenage years to college: My family made me promise that I would not be a horse trainer. Horse trainers didn’t make any money, and my family was very business oriented. They said I could be an accountant or maybe a teacher. There was no way I was going to be an accountant, so I went the teacher route. I got a degree in classics and then went on to get a masters in it. My thesis was on The Breeding, Breaking and Training of the Horse in the Fifth Century. I did a fresh translation on the famous Greek horse trainer Xenophon’s “On Horsemanship.” I then went on to study the development of the horse in Greek and Roman art. After that thesis, I was asked to stay on to complete my doctorate, but I couldn’t stay inside and look at books anymore. I just couldn’t do horses part time and be an academic professionally—so I went on to become a trainer and worked in the eventing world for several years. I then came across a very difficult horse that was a phenomenal jumper, but wouldn’t load into the trailer. This led me to natural horsemanship and a very long journey. I ended up studying directly under the Parellis from 2000 to 2005, going on tour with them, then branching out to become the head trainer of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. At that time, I was one of the only certified instructors on the East Coast, which kept me very busy. After three years, I decided that I just couldn’t keep up the pace, so I bought a farm outside of Aiken, South Carolina. I have had my own training program ever since, and love it. I have traveled all of the world teaching, but my favorite place is on my farm training horses or taking them to all the incredible horse places and shows that we have here in the Aiken area. Now I have a farm full of beautiful black horses.

What are your goals for the future with your farm and your horses?  

Seven years ago, I visited the island of Menorca, one of Spain’s Balearic islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and met this very special breed of horse—the Menorcans. They are everything that you could imagine in the Black Stallion: jet black, gorgeous, intelligent and personable. I knew then that I loved them, and wanted to bring them to America. Nobody had ever tried to bring this endangered breed to America before. The island that houses most of them is very small—about 30 miles wide—and it is very, very different than the rest of Spain. It is lush and green with little stone walls trickling everywhere. It reminds me of Ireland with sun. My goal was to bring these amazing horses to America, and I have created a little utopia for them here; now, the majority of the Menorcans either live here or spend time here. I have a dedicated office space to the Menorcans and starting to track bloodlines and ownership here. 

What do you like about the Menorcan breed? 

They are every little girl’s version of the Black Stallion. They are ALL black. They can have a certain amount of white to be registered, but very little. They are kind, intelligent and love people—I adore their disposition. I remember riding one on the trail for the first time and it must have been 30 mile per hour winds, off the coast, straight up these rocks they call hills, and those horses just dug in and did it. I think they must have some billy goat in their bloodlines! They are amazing trail horses and they are amazing movers. The first time I saw one doing “Menorcan” dressage, I was floored. I thought, wow—these horses have the temperament of a foundation Quarter Horse but move more like warmbloods! I was sold. Then when I found out that they were endangered and there were less than 3,000 in the world—I knew I had to get them to the States.

What is your stallion Ganador like?

Ganador is the quintessential gentleman. He loves people but is very respectful. I can ride him by a herd of mares and he might give a slight nicker but that is the most that he will do. He is 6 and has been under saddle for just a year. He will be going to his first show at Training Level. I know that he could start at first, but I want to ensure that he is happy and confident in the ring and don’t want to put a lot of pressure on him. 

What does your breeding program look like?  

We have two stallions in the country, one colt and four mares. The mares are of good breeding quality and will be approved for breeding by the Stud book in Menorca. Right now, we are open to crossing with approved mares that are not Menorcans.

What’s your favorite thing about what you do?   

I get to spend time with horses—who have always been my first love.  

What’s your biggest achievement in the horse world?  

I could give you a long list of all kinds of things that I have won in dressage and eventing—but that is definitely not my biggest achievement. For me, it is gaining the knowledge, which I thank my mentors for, so that I can help troubled horses and give young horses a good, solid foundation for performance or whatever their partners want to do with them.

What is the best thing about your life?  

My relationship with the horses that I work with

Best-kept secret about what you do?

When someone brings a horse to me for training, they can give me whatever back story that they want, but I also let the horse tell me his story. In their training program, I will set the goals with the owner, but the horse always sets the timeline.

For more information, visit kellysigler.com/looking-glass-farm

Photos courtesy of Kelly Sigler

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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
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