The elephant orphanage struck such a nerve that upon her return home, Denize made a vow.


For every person who buys a horse from her in 2010, she will adopt an elephant in their name.


our computer systems and retrained the staff to use them. We have a new website too, and I’ve made sure that we keep offering free clinics to our members.”


singer Nikki Bloom, asked Denize to manage her band (Nikki Bloom and the Gramblers) as its popularity grew - and after pointing out that running a barn wasn’t so far off from running a band. “The hardest part of it was that I was so gung-ho it was almost overwhelming for them,” Denize laughs. “Music people at that level are really laid back, and I’m such a structured person and a go getter. Learning all the music terminology was pretty hard too!” But the organization part was a snap. The barns that


house Crystal Image Farm are basic and utilitarian, but as clean and carefully planned as Denize’s outfit. The horses gleam in their stalls and a pair of farriers work at one end. The day has started quietly but will end in a flurry of cli- ents, lessons, parents and phone calls.


Traveling Perspective “When I started my own business and began making


my own money, I did three things,” says Denize. “First, I bought a truck. Then, I bought this watch that I still wear every day. And the third thing I did was I said I’d take a big trip every year if I could afford it.” Her watch gleams a little in the sun as she smiles. “And I recently made good on that third one.” Denize’s most recent and significant trip was to Africa


ShowBiz Feature Then there’s managing the band. Another former student,


husband Buzz to accompany Marion to Africa. They vol- unteered at the orphanage, spent time with its children and brought supplies for its school. But it was the elephants that made her trip. A stop at


the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage outside of Nai- robi blew her away. The baby elephants, most of whom are orphaned when their parents are killed by poachers, are cared for 24 hours a day by keepers who take care of each elephant until it grows up, teaching it elephant manners, feeding it and even sleeping in its enclosure at night. The elephant orphanage struck such a nerve that upon her re- turn home, Denize made a vow. For every person who buys a horse from her in 2010, she will adopt an elephant in their name. “It was fascinating to me that each elephant had its own


keeper who loved them and cared for them in such de- tail. Seeing things like that, and traveling around the world makes me really human,” she explains. “It makes me under- stand that I’m just a horse trainer and I’ll do the best I can while I’m doing it. And it makes me really try to instill into the kids I teach, just how fortunate they are.” A brown and white aussie has been quietly nosing a pebble


at her feet while she talks. Its eyes methodically turn from pebble to Denize, pebble to Denize in a silent request for a throw. Finally, the dog adds a whine into its routine, and Denize uses the moment to stand up and toss the pebble away. The morning is getting away from her, and the tasks of


last December. Friend and fellow trainer Marian Nelson’s involvement with By Grace Disabled and Orphan Centre Orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya, inspired Denize and her


64 with purpose.


the day won’t take care of themselves. The duties of Presi- dent, trainer, horse seller and all-around organizer await her, and Denize ambles away to tackle them two at a time. It’s clear that even that grip on her coffee cup is filled


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