Discipline: Dressage
Date of birth: March 22, 1960
Place of birth: Trenton, ON
Height: 5’4 Home: Terra Cotta, Ontario
Marital Status: very happily co-habitating
Coach: Cindy Ishoy

What, other than riding do you do to keep fit?
Riding 6-8 horses a day and running her own farm including maintaining the lawn and gardens keeps her very fit.

Do you watch a lot of television? Do you have any shows that you can’t go without?
She does not watch too much television, but she does occasionally watch A&E Mystery’s. Nancy used to watch Coronation Street a lot but hasn’t been able to keep up with it anymore.

What kind of car do you drive?
Nancy drives a black 1994 Pathfinder but she says, " I don’t like the color, I’d rather it be white."

What is the coolest place you have ever visited? Why? When?
In 1997, Nancy visited Fountains Abby in Yorkshire, England, which she found to have a "remarkably spiritual atmosphere."

If you were an animal, what animal would you be? Why?
Nancy thought that she would be a bear – "because I was a bear before I was a person."

What was the most memorable/important horse show moment to you? Why?
World Equestrian Games 1998 – "up the center line in complete and absolute focus" "I can still remember every footfall of that test – even though only ½ of it was good!"

Tell us about your first pony.
Nancy bought Penny for $250 – saddle included! She was a 14.1h.h. mare that was 1/2 Tennessee Walking horse and a super jumper. She competed in western pleasure and was also Pony Jumper Champion in BC.

Who is the most interesting person you’ve had the opportunity of meeting?
Besides Alan Young (who she co-habitates with), Van de Water, an Irish judge and event rider, would be the most interesting. He has competed at Badminton many times and is "most eclectic" and a "many faceted fellow".

If you could be granted one wish what would it be that you would wish for?
" I have everything that I want. Maybe the Atlanta Lotto – 300 million!"

Did you go to university/college? If so what for? If not, do you regret not going? Why?
Nancy went to University of British Columbia for Humanities. She said it was more of a "hobby" for her though. Her classes included literature, history, sociology and philosophy. Nancy did not complete her degree.

What is one of your worst habits?
CHOCOLATE – expensive, dark and bitter sweet!!

What has been the scariest experience of your life?
Nancy does not like flying in big airplanes and remembers "being squashed by Penny while jumping". The scariest however, would have been in 1991 when she and Gina Smith almost got in a head on car crash with the horse trailer on the way to British Columbia from Ontario.

Do you have any good luck charms or superstitions that you live by? What?
– Lucky stock pin (a hunting horn)
– Her father’s ring a gold pig on the lapel of her tailcoat
– A Cladagh pin on the lapel of her short coat

Do you have a favorite type of music and favorite band?
Nancy pretty much likes all types of music – but no rap. She really enjoys medieval music; Sequentia is a band she likes. She also enjoys listening to violas and cellos.

What are your biggest pet peeves?
Nancy does not like "loose ends" especially runners and keepers on bridles that are not done up and tidy. She also believes the telephone’s
existence is not necessary!!

What is your new up and coming horse?
Picasso is a 17hh 9 year-old bay gelding with "a great attitude" that Nancy owns together with her mom. Currently he is showing Medium and will be doing Prix St. Georges by the end of the year.

What do you get out of coaching students? CAKE!
Nancy seems to get a lot of cake from her students – lucky her! Nancy feels that coaching allows her "to meet a variety of interesting people." She "enjoys when people discover how incredible riding a horse that is obedient and thorough can be."

If you couldn’t ride anymore, what would you do with your life?
Nancy would like to drive horses. She would also like to open a home for wayward dogs.

What has been the most embarrassing moment you have had in riding?
When Nancy used to ride jumper, a mare of hers took off in the junior Grand Prix ring and jumped the last fence of the course in the wrong direction. Also, when she found out that she had missed a flag on the roads and tracks in a pony club rally and realizing she had NOT won the event. Everyone was scared to tell her the truth!

What do you do to relieve stress before a big competition?
Overall, Nancy does get very stressed, but to maintain focus she likes to prepare her own horse for the competition. Braiding also works to keep her focused. Nancy makes sure that she has some nice music to listen to and is sure to leave enough time for her to be by herself before each competition.

Do you have a dog or cat? What kind? Do they go to horse shows with you?
Camus was a life long companion of Nancy’s. He was a 14 year-old husky who died
recently but will always be part of the family.

Nancy and her farm, MacDay Farm, are based in Terra Cotta, Ontario. It is a very tranquil and beautiful place; with a log house that Alan built himself. Nancy also wanted to mention WILMA. Wilma is her trailer, which also has living quarters for her and Alan at horse shows. In Nancy’s words… "Wilma makes it a whole lot better and a lot more fun – PARTY CENTRAL!"