Margaret Cronia Theobald
‘Missy’
Surely fate itself led Missy along the diverse paths of her life’s work with horses. She readily confirms
there would be no way to have orchestrated the time line of events that allowed, what she calls her ‘art’
and ‘God given’ talent to develop. “I know it’s a gift, a horse just knows me and I just know a horse…it’
been that way all of my life.”
In a certain irony of circumstance, the career began even before school. Life in the early 50’s in the
northeast Georgia area, allowed young people freedom not known today. “We rode all day, everyday,
everywhere; for some reason I always ended up riding the horses and ponies no one else could.”
Mastering problem horses brought attention from local trainers and instructors, “and by age 12, I was
working under the tutelage of a number of riding facilities.” Exercising for trainers and prepping and
showing sale horses at the larger Southeastern auctions enabled Missy to develop the diverse riding
skills needed for riding many breeds of horses. Top stables mounted her on Tennessee Walking Horses,
3 and 5 gaited American Saddlebreds, Racking Horses, Thoroughbred hunt/jump horses and “one stable
had me racing Standardbred trotters and pacers at the cart”. Eventually her preference developed
toward the Quarter, Appaloosa and Paint horses, training and showing them in Western and English
events alike.
Throughout school, Missy taught riding lessons after school and weekends, plus summer sessions for
Girl Scout and private camps, and, while in college, earned high point state and regional awards in three
breed associations. Moving to the Atlanta area “in the late 60’s, I began an equine facility consisting of
100+ stalls, 3 show/rodeo arenas, 30 head of school horses, a breeding facility for 3 stallions and a
broodmare complex including care for 12 AQHA Champion mares.” While facility management and
teaching remained the crux of her career, training and showing brought notable highlights to those
years. Being nominated to the World Championship Playoffs in Western and English Pleasure, Western
Riding and Reining for several years “kept me on the road competing in what I affectionately remember
as the ‘great trailer races’ for the high point yearly awards. In addition, the acclamation from Jack
Brainard, Horses A to Z, of me having ‘the best hands I’ve ever seen’ still ranks high in my good memory
book.”
An invitation in the early 70’s took Missy to Oklahoma to work with a group of veterinarians that were
pioneering artificial insemination in racehorses and embryo transplants in cattle. Massive cattle ranches
and the racetracks were not only a source of ‘continuing ed’ but became dream-come-true playgrounds
at once. “‘Working’ was sorting huge herds of cattle on working cow horses and cutting horses;
‘working’ was handling the finest stallions, mares and foals for the AI breeding programs; then on weekends I was quickly mounted as one of the first few female jockeys on the quarter tracks.” True to
her roots, persistently teaching, and coaching, she continually conducted clinics for 4-H horse groups and
sent students yearly to state, regional and national competitions. Making a move to her ancestral state of
Mississippi in the late 70’s, marriage and family then intertwined with continued horse training,
breeding programs, teaching and judging.
Another invitation in the early 80’s offered Missy a trip back home to North Georgia. “When Brenau
College began offering a Bachelor of Arts degree in Equine Studies, I was asked to assist in a work study
program with directors, instructors and students to help develop a complete and comprehensive course
curriculum. And, while there began starting the school’s adoptive Mustang horses in driving techniques
as well as under saddle. Dressage was my study of choice, really utilizing all of my existing skills…I had
my young stallion off the racetrack with me, and he trained up beautifully in basic dressage. He was the
fifth generation of my bloodline, was so versatile going English and Western, he could do it all…I
managed him for nearly twenty years.”
Back in Mississippi, continued work in the equine industry has allowed many students, instructors,
trainers and certainly the lucky horses in her care, access to the broad experience of her years and miles
traveled. Caring for some of the country’s top performance horses has been one of the many highlights
always remembered. “When a horse gives you everything he has, every time out, enough to qualify for
World titles, he deserves to have extra special care and needs to be kept happy…their mental health and
attitude is every bit as important as the rider’s. The same anything over and over again can become a
drag to both horse and rider. It is so important to implement variety.”
Developing diversity in horses and riders is one of the key elements in Missy’s training and coaching
programs. “All horses can and need to be trained to be flexible to degrees compatible with their breed
characteristics, and all riders need to learn to adapt…it should always be a work in progress for both
horse and rider.”
Continuing her life’s work with horses, Missy is currently a founding member of a non-profit
organization created to work toward the equine career education for young people and the rehabilitation
of neglected and abused horses. Coordinating organizations and programs for both will accomplish the
set goals of allowing young people exposure to career opportunities in the equine industry, while at the
same time, rehabilitating abused or neglected horses; then, assisting in placement for both.
“I still teach, that is truly where my heart is, sharing what I know with those who really want to know…I
feel that is the best way to give something back to the horses. By helping people better understand them
and their language, I can pass this gift on to both people and horses.”
To contact Missy, email mingram@canufly.net |
