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Grace McFarland

Assistant Trainer with Monnington Farms

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At the beginning of a new semester at the university, I received an assignment to take on an extra student for the equestrian program. Little did I know, this student would be unlike any other. Mia arrived timidly, with her head down and her eyes avoiding contact. Despite being a beautiful horse, she had a few health problems that made her skittish, and no one wanted to ride her. I saw this as a challenge and made it my mission to help Mia overcome her fears and become a strong horse again.

I started with basic training exercises, such as walking in circles, turning, and responding to commands. Mia slowly began to trust me, and we developed a bond that lasted through my time at the university. During my sophomore year, I took her with me to my internships, and we became inseparable. As my graduation approached, I began to worry about what would happen to her when I left. The university and teaching staff shared my concerns.

We knew that Mia had grown accustomed to being with me, and we weren’t sure how she would react to being separated. We also worried about finding a new student who would be accepted by Mia. As students, our options were limited, and we weren’t sure if we could find someone who could provide the same level of care and attention that I did. Nonetheless, we were determined to find a solution that would work for everyone involved. Mia had come so far, and we couldn’t let all our hard work go to waste.

During my time at William Woods University, I was involved in the student horse program. One of the horses in the program was Mia, who was unfortunately going to be cycled out of the program. However, the university offered me the opportunity to take Mia with me to my new job if I wanted to. This was a dream come true for me and for Mia. I had always wanted to own my own horse, but with limited resources and a new job, I didn’t think it was possible. However, with determination and hard work, I was able to make it happen. I found a great job with an employer who understood my needs and was willing to accommodate them. This allowed me to provide a loving home for Mia and to pursue my passion for horseback riding.

Although I had many great experiences at William Woods University, my favorite memory was riding Marc of Charm, the World Grand Champion. It was an incredible opportunity to learn from such a talented and experienced horse. I will always cherish the memories I made while riding him and I am grateful for the opportunities that William Woods University provided me.

It was an unforgettable moment for me when my school organized a special event, The WGC Marc of Charm Bryer Display, and invited Monnington Farm to showcase their prized horse, the legendary WGC Marc of Charm. The news left me awestruck as I had never imagined that I would get an opportunity to ride him. It was a dream come true.

To my utter amazement, I was selected from among all the eligible students to ride Marc of Charm during the event. I felt like the luckiest person on earth. As I got to know more about the event, I realized that I was the only one who would ride and showcase the champion other than the owner and the trainer. The responsibility was daunting, but I was more than ready to take it up.

The day of the event arrived, and I was a bundle of nerves and excitement. When I saw Marc of Charm in all his glory, I was spellbound. He was a towering presence, exuding power, grace, and poise in every step. As I mounted him and took the reins, I felt a surge of excitement and adrenaline. I had never felt so alive and so in sync with a horse before. Marc of Charm seemed to sense my energy, and we moved together as one, performing a series of impressive maneuvers that thrilled the audience. It was an experience that I will cherish forever.

During my time at William Woods University, luckily I had the privilege of experiencing Marc of Charm, a horse that taught me more about myself and the incredible bond between a rider and a horse. The experience was truly one of a kind and something that I will cherish forever.

As I reflect on my senior year of college, I am grateful for all the experiences and opportunities that came my way, including taking care of Mia, a horse that provided me with much-needed peace and tranquility during a time of change and uncertainty. While I was studying for exams and preparing for my future, I also had to come to terms with leaving behind the comfort of college life and home.

To prepare for my future career, I carefully evaluated all of my options, weighing the pros and cons of each job and considering important details such as salaries, benefits, and living costs in different cities. I even had the opportunity to speak with people who had worked for the companies that were offering me job opportunities.

Despite the stress of job-hunting and graduating, my time with Mia and the unforgettable experience of riding Marc of Charm helped me to stay grounded and focus on the things that truly mattered. Looking back on it all, I am filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

If you’re looking for a dream job in the horse breeding and training industry, as I was, look no further than Mornington Farms in Simpsonville, Kentucky. Owned by the esteemed Lionel and Georgia Bulmer Ferreira, Mornington Farms is widely recognized as the premier Saddlebred Breeding & Training facility in the country. It’s also the original home of WGC Marc of Charm, a legendary horse known for his grace and elegance. As an employee at Mornington Farms, you’ll have the chance to work with the best in the business and learn from their extensive knowledge and experience. Not to mention the beautiful and serene setting, world-class horses, and supportive team that make a career at Mornington Farms truly fulfilling.

For one lucky employee, that dream job is already a reality. Despite a busy workload, I love the energy of the team and the excitement of the show schedule. And while my own horse, Mia, sometimes takes a backseat to work, I was thrilled to lease her out to a customer this year. Watching Mia perform so well under someone else’s care was a proud moment for me, and it reinforced my decision to take the next step with Mia: breeding her. With the support and expertise of the Monnington Farms team, we’re confident that a new foal from Mia will be nothing short of amazing. And with the guidance and encouragement of my colleagues, i’m excited to see what the future holds for Mia and her new foal.


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