The Nancy Brockhoff
Story
Introduction
By
Suzin Daly
In
1992 Nancy Brockhoff came into my life at a very vital time. Having
established Halifax Farm with ten horses to care for, I discovered
finding dependable help was close to impossible. In a desperate measure
I put an ad in the local newspaper. Two days after the ad was published,
Nancy showed up at my front door inquiring about the position. Her
schedule worked out perfect for AM barn duty. As days turn into weeks,
then into months Nancy and I become good buddies. We shared similar
interests outside horses. Nancy was exceptionally dependable. I will
never forget Nancy showing up for barn duty during a snow storm. She
walked from her home 1 mile away to the barn. Together all ten horses
where done in no time. After a year Nancy's schedule changed and was
unable to continue. By this time I had plenty of working students
and more on a waiting list. We stayed in touch now and again.
Nancy came back into my life in 2002 when she bumped
into my assistant Anne Perrotta. As it turned out, Anne and Nancy
where members of the same church. Nancy learned I would need temporary
barn help for about two weeks. Nancy again showed up at my front door
and offered to fill in. This time Nancy's daughter Amelia would also
help. Things had changed a lot since Nancy first experience. I only
had six horses and with stall mats AM barn duty was fairly quick.
A two week, three day a week temporary job turned into a three day
a week, permanent position. In exchange for the three days AM barn
duty, Amelia would take weekly riding lessons.
I enjoy doing articles about people, animals and
friends. I consider Nancy a special person and requested that she
give me some information about herself and her interested with horses.
I wanted to add Nancy to Meet the Gang. I had already done
an article on her daughter Amelia. I usually
take the information given to me and write what I hope to be a very
interesting story. I believe that everyone is special and has a story
to share. Nancy gave me such a wonderful story that I decided to present
her story unedited with all her dreams and thoughts.
This is Nancy's story
A
long, long time ago ...I can still remember...how it used to be.
As
a hopeless romantic or just plain hopeless, I still haven't quite discovered
my direction in working with horses. It was my father who fostered my
love of horses. As a child, I was content just to pet them. The
Annual Blowing Rock Horse Show was an outing our family never missed
and I would ride my bike down dirt roads riddled with wash bumps, pretending
I was on a galloping horse. Then, through the grand generosity of a
neighbor, I was able to ride an old plow pony. Nancy (we shared first
names) and I took many glorious, painful, gleeful, restful rides together.
Some days, I'd just crawl up on Nancy's stout back and throw peaches for her to trot to and eat. Other days, I slip on the bridle with blinkers (no saddle, remember, she was a work pony) and we would ride through the fields and have adventures with my friend Janet, who also was a horseless girl. Her dad was a Pastor and a parishioner kind enough to allow Janet to borrow a pony. Poor ole Nancy tired her best to keep up with perky little Blackie, but Blackie and Janet always had to be in the lead. Sometimes Nancy would get mad and buck. (uh huh -0 now when I'm not first in line or get impatient, I get mad and buck too.)
One day I overheard my Dad talking to my Mom about buying a Pinto. I went out immediately to tell my friend Janet I was finally getting a horse! Imagine my disappointment in Ford cars.
I eventually did buy my fist horse in 1980. He was just a baby, so we learned together. Definitely through the school of hard knocks. Not something I'd recommend. Five years later, the horse and I moved to the Raleigh area to be near my NCSU student husband-to-be. I didn't take time to ride Jabo, my horse with the great heart, was then donated to the 4-H club. I thought I was through.
And the beat goes on.....One day I stopped in to a place I always wanted to visit. Right down the road from my house Halifax Farm. Suzin was very gracious and generous with her time in showing me around. She had charisma that was both magnanimous and captivating - sign of a great teacher and friend. Since then, I've poked around the barn for a number of years now, off and on, mucking out stalls, feeding the horses, turning them out. I feel privileged to be trusted to do the job and care for the horses.
My daughter is now 13 and works with me at the barn. She is taking lessons and learning horsemanship from one of the best of pros. One of God's many blessing!
Epilogue
In
the summer of 2003 my assistant Anne and I where at Murphy's Hay Farm.
Mr. Murphy pointed out a paint gelding named Chief. Mr. Murphy
said the man who owned the gelding needed to sell and that he was very
quiet and safe. I mentioned the gelding to Nancy as an after thought.
Nancy went to see Chief, rode Chief and brought him home. I was taken
by surprise at how fast Nancy acted. Nancy is usually very slow in making
decisions. I had doubts and shared my concerns. However, I have to admit
this is an exceptionally kind horse. He is very tolerant and very safe
for Amelia to ride. This funny little paint horse is starting to grow
on me. As I work with Amelia, Nancy and Chief in training sessions I
can see how willing he can be once he understands what is wanted of
him.
I had to think back at my very first serious horse.
Tyzrel an 18 year old 15.1 hand Arabian cross. Crossed with what, who
knew? I remember how my trainer Raul de Leon wanted me to sell Tyzel
and up grade to a better horse. How the International trainer and coach
Gunner Ostergaard in a clinic stopped me after about 5 minutes into
the training session he said, "You are going to get a better horse
aren't you?" I did not get a better horse, but went on with
my partnership with Tyzel to become a winning team in Dressage and Eventing.
Earning many Horse of the Year awards. Two years after my purchase
of Tyzel I did sell him to a young rider who needed a safe and trained
horse. Raul de Leon tried talking me out of the sale!
Is it possible that Chief will become Nancy's Tyzel?
In two years I'll let you know!