Wellington horsewoman finds best things in life

By Marty Metzger
Correspondent

A cliché declares: "The best things in life are free." For Wellington resident Nancy Day, that last word reads "FREE."

FREE, Front Range Exceptional Equestrians, has been one of Day's passions since 1987. The all-volunteer-driven program provides horses and instruction to children and adults with disabilities. Each week for the past 19 years, Day has hauled her appropriately trained horses to FREE's sessions.

Currently, Day trailers Star, Breezy, Apache and Oreo to Legacy Stables (on North County Road 9 in Fort Collins) every Monday night. She does likewise to Colorado State University two nights a week. FREE's rates are reasonable and scholarships are available, but the self-confidence riders gain is priceless.

The sensation of a horse's movement to a rider's muscles and joints is similar to the stride of a human walk. That's something many FREE participants can't do: walk. Physical, mental and emotional benefits unite for riders --whether astride and assisted by a leader and two side-walkers or independent --as they feel the powerful animals yield to their rein, leg and weight signals.

FREE's horses carry their riders to a new level of independence. "It's wonderful when you see them so excited to be with a horse, and on a horse!" Day energetically declared.

In addition to volunteers' horses, FREE itself also now owns several. Since the organization owns no facility, volunteers trailer those equines to each session's location.

Although Day's association with FREE began 19 years ago, she said her interest in its general concept began in childhood. She fondly recalled accompanying her mother to Foothills Gateway with lambs in tow for clients to pet and feed.

"Mom was such a giving person," Day reminisced, her voice trailing back to those early days of generosity. "Because of those visits, someone else had something special."

That something special she witnessed early on influenced Day's 29-year career as a special education teacher in the Poudre School District.

Her own education, about horses, has been since birth. Although she's had horses all her life, she bought her first one when she was about 14 years old with money earned from raising and selling lambs.

That part-Arabian mare, Ginger, came through a horse trader from an Indian reservation. Ginger and young Nancy were constant companions and staunch friends for many years.

"I never showed her because we didn't own a trailer," Day said. "But I rode her everywhere. More than once, we went from where Budweiser now is clear over to Bingham Hill."

Day's formal equestrian education began long after those mega-trek days. She admitted, "I'd never had a lesson in my life. I really became educated when my daughter Amy was 5 years old."

It was then that she took Amy for lessons from Ginny Johnson at Plum Farms off Douglas Road.

Johnson admonished her, "There's nothing worse than a 'horse show mom.'"

Day, who said she'd always wanted to jump, replied, "Well, I think I should also take lessons to help Amy."

And she did just that, progressing on to cross-country. She has shown extensively in combined training events.

Daughter Amy eventually trained with Sean Brevard, under whose tutelage she still rides.

Day currently shows primarily Western, including reining and ranch versatility (a five-event class comprised of cutting, working ranch horse, trail, ranch riding and conformation). She credits mentors Drake Johnson (of Wray) and Katherine Lyons (now residing in Australia) for her skills in these disciplines.

Besides FREE, best things in Day's life include the Rocky Mountain Saddle Club and Wellington-based Boxelder Trails 4-H Club. She's been an active member of RMSC since its inception. The club rides in the Owl Canyon area and holds shows with English, Western and gymkhana classes.

Day has been the leader of Boxelder Trails 4-H, which emphasizes jumping, since 1999. The club currently has eight members.

Day's equine influence extends beyond her volunteer activities and into her family life. Besides grown children Mike and Amy, she has three grandchildren, all of whom are interested in horses. The 12 horses on her property, eight of which she owns, provide the children plenty of opportunities to develop that budding interest.

Many of Day's joys are derived from volunteer activities; the best things in her life truly are free.

Anyone wanting to add FREE to their list of best things may join its many dedicated volunteers. For more information, call the volunteer coordinator at 221-0646.