MY NOW STORY....page 2.

Why we do what we do and how we gave our farm the name THE ENCHANTED CAROUSEL HORSES FARM!

(Allow me a little story telling liberties this is where I go off professional mode for just a moment because it really is a modern day fairy tale)

I have always said when you get horses your life is NEVER the same..... Well, I never knew how much that would change when I started giving lessons to these young gifted riders!

Years ago, when I quit my day job and started lessons full time, I have to admit, I was a little scared to let go of my desk and punch in at the barn. In three short years now, I look up at the stars when I am putting the horses up for the night and I am thankful!

I am thankful for this beautiful, roller coaster of excitement, magically entwined with dirt and fuzzy ponies job! Watching these young children grow and learn to become good horse handlers BUT IT'S NOT JUST THAT....watching them learn to be great at helping each other around the barn, making friends that they wouldn't have had the chance too if not for ponies. When a newcomer finally is ready for their first group lesson, and I ask a pink cheeked and pig tailed 12 yr old cowgirl, to go help our newest rider pick out the correct saddle pad for their pony they will be working with together that night...and she takes the newcomer over to the different racks and begins to explain why that saddle pad for that pony....the same theories I have said to them over and over again....and I REMEMBER THE DAY MISS PIGTAILS FIRST CAME TO ME AND COULDN'T MAKE EYE CONTACT WHEN SHE TALKED TO ANYONE, LET ALONE KIDS HER OWN AGE...it brings a tear to my eye. That is pony magic!

So it struck me that every person that leaves here after a ride on these ponies is NOT the same person that arrived. Sometimes it's so tiny a change, you barely notice.....sometimes it's not the child at all. Sometimes it's a parent that brought the child here for their lessons that undergoes the big change. What they thought was simply being a good parent coming to the next "THING" they would buy outfits and gear for ..turns out is the very thing they have been missing in their office cubicle, whats on tv tonight, low carb life...That is a little of the freedom of being unplugged. No cell phones, no tv's. Just horses, children and nature....is where the magical transformation comes into play.

BUT other times the change is so big like the pink cheeked, pig tailed 12 yr old I mentioned( who begged her mom to quit school, because the other kids picked on her....and all she would do is stare at her feet) She is now helping the nervous new comer to the group lesson like an old cowpoke hand, that you realize that pony magic is real. These horses really are changing people and making a big difference in their lives. And I get to sit on the sidelines and watch it happen. It's a pretty amazing job!

SO CAME THE NAME OF OUR FARM:

THE ENCHANTED CAROUSEL HORSES FARM! All our horses are a little different, we have GYPSY VANNERS, QH'S, PAINTS, HAFFLINGERS, SHETLANDS, and A GOAT! They are all a completely different color, size, and personality. Like the people that come here from all corners of life.

Exactly like a carousel! But we're all on the same ride!

So step right up and punch your ticket! Pick out your pony, and get a good grip for the ride of your life! Who will you be when you get off the ENCHANTED CAROUSEL?

THE TEAM OF THE ENCHANTED CAROUSEL HORSES!

I have learned to surround myself, not with people that are exactly like me, nobody needs two salt shakers do they? They need a salt and pepper.

These smart people helping me are able to fill in any cracks I may have.

Shane London, my husband and the man muscle around our farm. He works away all week at his union sprinkler fitter job and comes home to fix fence, and run the skid steer.

When I second guessed myself and thought about staying at my job and not working for myself...he pushed me ahead and said, you are going to be brilliant now go ride your horse. He keeps track of house bills, car repair, horse trailer repair, and maintenance on the barn. My husband really takes his share of the work around here. FUNNY ENOUGH HE ALWAYS WANTS TO STAY BEHIND THE SCENES....but the kids all love him as much as they do me or the goat...so he is now finding himself leading and assisting during lessons. Helping put saddles on the high racks, or getting things for the littles on their pony...so they don't have to waste a minute out of the saddle!

Emma Faulkner, a client, that has been with me for a very long time, knows a lot of my training techniques, has a GREAT work ethic, very organized, and has no ego or uphandedness about her.

Which in turn makes my young students like her very much. I utilize Emma when I need an extra hand during group lessons. Painting obstacles. Organizing small events here and running the timer at fun shows. She is a big asset, and I look forward to the day I am big enough facility to have my first real employee...and actually pay her what she is worth!. Pure GOLD just like her heart!!!! She is also my go to for all the non profits we do at Christmas time! From leading the ponies to getting change! Thank you Emma!

Lanie Davis, my mother. She is the smartest business woman I know. Also the former owner of the stallion Jaguar whom promotes him like she is his personal manager! She pushed me to be where am I today...and now she pushes Shane to push me. Just because she knows after 38 years a bark loses it bite, but when the hubby who never says anything, says YOU CAN DO IT! OR I DON'T CARE WHAT IT TAKES, WE'LL MAKE IT HAPPEN, NOW GO BUY THAT HORSE AND GO PRACTICE!

She is a cheerleader and a pro football coach rolled into one. With a little of the Nanny mixed in. lol

We are very much the same, except my mom can see the big picture on everything...and she can make smart educated business decisions financially and never second guesses herself. She is slowly teaching me. She has also taught me how to think outside the box. On everything.

Rick Davis, my father. He is a big part of me being successful. It always ends up being me and dad working together at shows/vet emergencies/and loading problem horses. He also has a nice Kubota tractor..

He taught me how you can't be mad when you are in the saddle. Which is saying a lot, because he was raised with rough neck cowboys and the meaner they were, the tougher they looked. So they thought. My dad was not afraid to go against the grain in kindness. He sparked the flame for me to take it a step further. We still go riding. We have matching horses.

Katie Luzier, riding student that I utilize when hosting Birthday pony parties. I pay her in riding lessons. She is a valuable asset to me, excellent with small children, soft spoken handler with my ponies, and can work harder than most adults I know.

These are some of the volunteers and helpers I can credit towards helping me be in the position that I am! They are pretty special people.