Equestrienne extraordinaire

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Face it. Part of being a parent is learning to deal with the sometimes unpredictable nature of one’s children. Sometimes they announce an interest in doing something completely unexpected.

For Laura and Steve Mariski of Monticello, life would have been so much simpler if their young daughter Julia had decided to stay with dancing lessons. Instead, when she was 10 years old, she announced to her parents that she wanted to learn to ride a horse.

According to the Monticello High School senior, her mom’s reluctant compliance was a defining moment in the young girl’s life. Those once-a-week lessons at Stone Wall Farms in Jeffersonville with owner/teacher Barbara Moran soon evolved into spending more time around the horse barn, increased competence in riding, competing and eventually becoming a riding instructor.

Mariski took to horses from the get go. “I was never afraid. I loved it,” recalls the teen who now teaches as many as 20 young children to ride.

Helping kids overcome any initial fears is the first step. “Some children are afraid of the animal and/or being up high in the saddle. The first time out I lead them around the ring, but I soon wean the kids away from me,” she said. Mariski’s affable manner seems to inspire confidence in her students who handle their horses independently from early on.

Though she is busy with a challenging academic schedule that includes Syracuse University Project Advanced (SUPA) English, SUPA psychology, financial accounting through Sullivan County Community College, honors economics and government, membership in the National Honor Society and leadership of a Sullivan County Inter-academic League team, Mariski’s favorite haven is around horses.

“I love to come here. If I’m having a bad day it really helps relieve the stress,” she said. While teaching can be difficult at times, she sees it as an affirming experience. “Seeing kids make progress is so rewarding.”

Mariski spends about five days a week at Stone Wall Farms. With her early release from Monticello, accorded to the student as a privilege, Mariski is free to hightail it to the barn to give lessons, tend to the many requisite chores and spend time riding and taking care of her horse, Louie, more formerly known by his competition name, Last Resort.

Louie is Mariski’s third horse. At first the Mariskis leased a horse. Then she bought Cisco, a horse the young woman became quickly enamored with. Unfortunately he developed sand colic, a malady wherein sand and gravel came to reside in the horse’s intestines. He was never the same and the Mariskis had to sell him. Julia was heartbroken and the memory endures. She wrote her college admission essay about Cisco.

“I don’t get attached to horses anymore because of that experience, to be honest with you,” Mariski said quietly.

First taught the basics of Western riding and showing horses, students like Mariski often advance to the more formal and competitive realm of English riding. Mariski took third place in the New York State Horse Council’s Millennium Medallion Hunter Pleasure category this past year.

Many of the children begin riding at a much younger age than she did. She teaches them how to steer the horse using their legs, body weight and eyes. “You look in the direction you want to turn and your body will follow. Horses are very sensitive to a rider’s movements,” she said. Other skills involve learning how to stop and go, pacing and rhythm. “The horses we have here are extremely calm. Once you learn to trust them, you’re good to go.”

Safety is a prime concern at Stone Wall Farms. “Helmets and boots are a must and obviously if you don’t know what you’re doing you’re a danger to yourself,” said Mariski, who admits that English riding can be dangerous since jumping is the main attraction. She clearly relishes the challenge.

Mariski is in awe of Moran, who has been riding for 38 years and has owned Stone Wall Farms for the past 12 years with her husband Ed.

“I’m going to miss her,” Moran said, though she added that other kids are coming along and will take over when Julia leaves.

Mariski, who is currently majoring in business administration, is considering Bucknell University, New York University, Columbia, Ithaca, Binghamton and the University of Scranton.

“Hopefully, horses will always be a part of my life,” said this week’s youth in focus. Of that there can be little doubt.