MKE is looking for a new working student!

As we posted before one of our long time team members, Hannah Metz, will be off to nursing school this August.  Lucky for us we have Katie Mays, a life long horse gal and a Equine Science college graduate to help me train up the next generation of MKE team members.

Our barn works mainly out of Kirkwood, PA where we are lucky enough to train our eventing horses out in the Andrews Bridge hunt land.  We actively compete in Area II with horses of all ages and levels.  We also spend a few months in the winter working down south to give our horses a good healthy start to their seasons. Our working students handle all aspects of horse care and training- to me it's incredibly important for my riders/students/employees to really truly "know" the horses.  The actual program varies for each individual working student depending on if they come with or without a horse and what their personal goals are.

Requirements- Good character; honesty and reliability

Please contact me with any questions!  We will be starting trials right away and will be looking to have the position filled by August.

Shannon Thompson coming back to Principia Stables this TUESDAY!!

A few weeks ago MKE riders, owners and neighbors joined together for a very inspirational presentation on Sports Psychology.  Shannon Thompson was like bright light on what can sometimes be a bit of a dim subject!  Having grown up in the equestrian world she's been through many similar situations to what many of us face.  Adding to her personal experience as an equestrian she now has a degree in psychology and a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology.  Her practice and research has focused on the latest in performance enhancement; human thriving and high achievement.

The presentation was so informative and whats even better is that Shannon really grasped the audience and created as much interaction as the time could allow.  It became obvious that no matter the sport you're in or the level at which you are aspiring to work towards; we all could benefit from finding ways to help ourselves get through the good times AND the challenging times!  Learning about how we can help ourselves perform at our best and train through the more difficult areas of our sport was simply fascinating. It was inspirational for me to watch and listen to Shannon as she shared with us some of her methods that she uses to help athletes balance the need for excellence and enjoyment.

This coming Tuesday, May 19th, Shannon will be back in the area and has some individual and "paired" time slots available.  This is open to those that were able to attend the presentation and to any one that would just like to get some time in discussing the mental game of any type of athletic endeavor.  Shannon definitely works well with us equestrian types, however, she has spent much of her career working with athletes in many other fields.  In fact Shannon will soon be based out of an Olympic training facility to work hand in hand with those high caliber athletes.

If anyone is interested in a session with Shannon please email me at Molly@mkequestrian.com; private and semi private sessions available.  Location will be 350 Sproul Rd; Kirkwood, PA 17536

MKE's very own exceptional "Hannah Banana" off to become a NURSE!

Back in October of 2008 I met the most adorable and incredibly shy little girl;  6 and a half years later this little Hannah has grown into a remarkable young lady.  Hannah didn't start out as a regular student but instead immediately immersed herself into the day to day lifestyle of an active training program.

For me to write out and share all of the fabulous, scary, sad, exciting, crazy, tiring and life changing things that have happened in the last 6+ years, I would create a VERY long blog!  Hannah has stepped up the equestrian ladder with the help of some wonderful (albeit sometimes naughty!) ponies and horses.  I am so thankful to have gotten the chance to watch her learn and progress as well as partake in the process.  Beyond going from pony rider to FEI rider to race horse exercise rider to OTTB trainer Hannah has become an excellent care-giver to my horses in training for upper level eventing.

Hannah has a natural talent for nurturing.  If any of you have been around her in the barn you'll notice  how all of the horses are so happy and comforted as she takes care of them.  Her love and kindness to all of the horses will be GREATLY missed; however, all of us here at MKE are so excited for her to take her next step in her life.  Hannah is off to college in August with plans of getting her CNA to work in the hospital.  I think anyone getting Hannah as their nurse will be exceptionally lucky.  I haven't met many people as caring and kind as this young lady.  

Below are a few moments in time over the last 6 + years- please share your photos and memories that you have of Hannah... time for a really big scrap book!

Last but not least a very special thank you to Pattie, Hannah's awesome mom, for all that you have made possible for Hannah ... and for the fabulous photos!! 

Hannah and Mistletoe 

Hannah and Ben leased kindly from Dr. Anderson

Hannah and her DWB mare Zhen practicing for their first FEI competition

Hannah and Zhen jumping around the Fair Hill CIC *

Hannah and her OTTB, Mason, at one of his first outings.

Hannah leading the "cool-out" at one of Sabrina's FEI events

Hannah keeping the Aiken '14 barn in proper order :)

Hannah is good at many things, but she is incredible with the horses and their "pre" show nerves.  All the horses love hang out time with Hannah.... as do the riders!