SB: Where were you born? How long did you live there-then where? When and why did you come to California? TM: I was born in Vancouver, B.C Can- ada. I grew up riding with Brent and Laura Balisky (my mom still rides with them). For as long as I can remember, it was a goal of mine to move to and ride in California. When I was 20 I packed up my car and drove down hoping to find a job when I got here. I started working for Richard Spooner 2 wks later.
SB: A bit about your show history..... work history. TM: Growing up I had a couple of “ok” horses, “jack of all trade, master of none” is the best way to describe them. I competed in any division I could. A little in the hunters, a little in the jumpers, but my favorite was the eq. The highlight of my junior career was winning the “CET Medal Finals” at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. My first job, straight out of the jr ring,
SB: Best part of being in the horse busi- ness? TM: The best part of being in the horse business is I get to ride horses!!! It’s ev- ery little girls dream. We are extremely fortunate to have amazing clients, and incredible horses. There really isn’t one part of my job that I don’t like. To wake up every morning and be excited about going to work is a gift.
SB: What do you miss about "home" when you are on the road? TM: I travel A LOT! I miss my cat the most, and then my bed!
was for a Canadian named Alan Brand. His barn was located in Calgary and after spending one winter there I decided it was time to head south. Joie Gatlin (who I later worked for) introduced me to Richard Spooner. After a couple years at HalfMoon Bay, I thought I’d give Europe a try. I lived in Belgium for 3 months, working for John Gray and Bruce Goo- din, but California is where my heart was, so I came back. Upon my return I was offered a job with DiAnn Langer at Langtree, and that is where I met by best friend Kirsten Coe. From there, I helped Cyndi Meritt at Baycrest Farm for a bit before moving to San Juan Capistrano to work for Joie and Morley. As much as I loved JGSS, I missed living in L.A so when I heard that Meadow Grove was looking for a new assistant I jumped at the opportunity! I have worked at a lot of different places, but I finally feel like I’m home. I love Meadow Grove and am truly lucky to be here.
SB: Work, what are you duties and how does that work? How do you run your barn? TM: Meadow Grove runs like most show barns. Between me, Dick and Su- sie , we ride the horses on a daily basis. We have the best grooms, and a wonder- ful barn manager who takes care of ev- erything so we can focus on the training. One thing that may differ from others is that we also have a family in Canada, The Chads, with 15 horses, so between the 3 of us, one of us is always travelling up there to ride and teach.
SB: Family...who and how many in the family. Do any of them ride? TM: My mom and my brother still live in Vancouver. My mom rides everyday (at Thunderbird with Brent and Laura Bal- isky). My brother never rode, but when he was about 16 he figured out that there were so many girls at horse shows so he worked jump crew for a few years. My sister Kate lives in Nashville. She doesn’t ride anymore, but she showed a ton as a kid. She even rode with me and Kirsten at Langtree her last junior year.
SB: Favorite food? TM: Favorite food??? Nothing beats a really great steak, and a good glass of wine!
SB: Favorite music. TM: I’m a big hip hop fan. Eminem, Dr.Dre… Lupe Fiasco is my current fa- vorite
SB: Somethings we don't know about you but would find interesting? Some- things you find REALLY REALLY fun and/or funny! TM: Between the ages of 10-13 I sang in the Vancouver Childrens Choir. We competed at international choir compet- itons around the world, and the last year I sang in the choir we finished 3rd in the world behind a Columbian Boys Choir! In 1986 the world exposition came to Vancouver. Our choir performed a pri- vate concert, in the B.C pavilion, for Princess Diana and Prince Charles. It was pretty exciting at the time!
SB: Any other hobbies? What do you do with your spare time? TM: In my spare time I work with a box- ing trainer. Mostly to try and stay a little fit, but I also really enjoy it! Sometimes I pretend I’m the next Laila Ali!
SB: Showing and training from your 49
home base – the good and the tough part. TM: Home base for Meadow Grove is at Middle Ranch in Lakeview Terrace. It’s a beautiful facility with lots of grass and trees. We have our own huge sand ring to ride in, and lots of grass turn- out for the horses. The barn is 20 min from Burbank, Hollywood, Santa Mon- ica, etc… Very close and convenient to get to our local shows. I guess what I’m trying to say is I can’t think of anything “tough” about showing and training from our home base.
SB: Goals and what’s in the future for you? TM: To continue riding, training, and competing successfully. For our clients to achieve their goals and have a fun on the way. The hunters have always been a real
passion of mine. I would love to have a couple great first year horses, and get to qualify and show at devon and indoors. Any time I’ve ever gotten close to doing this my horses seem to get sold.
SB: Friends…..who and how do you maintain those friendships? TM: I have a great group of “non-hors- ey” friends who I see as much as I can when I’m home. And as much as I love everyone in the show world, it’s nice to spend time with people who don’t know what it means to “chip” or “have a rail”.
SB: Clients..how do you maintain friend- ships and client relationships when they overlap so much? TM: It can be a fine line between client and friend. It requires being professional and respectful. Overtime, as you learn your way in this business, you learn how to handle all the different relationships. A lot of my best friends are currently, or have at one point been clients.
SB: Most important people in our in- dustry to you? Who has supported you or given you a leg up? TM: I have been extremely lucky to have worked with so many fantastic people. I learnt a ton from each person, and cher- ished the time I spent at each barn. i continue to have great relationships with all my former employers, and I feel like all of them are supportive and encourag- ing of me. Knowing that there are so many people I can turn to, should I need help or have questions, is very comfort- ing.
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