News
Building a Legacy at Forget Me Not Farm
The Plaid Horse Magazine | 2017 | Jordan Cobb
Three years ago, Stefanie Mazer decided to gamble on a beautiful chestnut pony standing in the cross ties. Today, that same pony boasts a championship at Devon, a win at Washington International, and countless championships at WEF.
When Mazer first saw Unforgettable, affectionately called “Magic” around the barn, the young British import hadn’t begun jumping courses.
Three years ago, Stefanie Mazer decided to gamble on a beautiful chestnut pony standing in the cross ties. Today, that same pony boasts a championship at Devon, a win at Washington International, and countless championships at WEF.
When Mazer first saw Unforgettable, affectionately called “Magic” around the barn, the young British import hadn’t begun jumping courses.
Stefanie Mazer on Re-Thinking Your Relationship with Your Horse
The Plaid Horse Magazine | 2017 | Stefanie Mazer
Where did we come up with this notion that horses are being intentionally badly behaved?
“He was just being a jerk”
“He was being rude”
“Get after him”
“Show him who is boss”
“He dogged you”
“What a little donkey”
These are common attitudes and beliefs about how riders or trainers are supposed to react when ponies and horses are misbehaving. These attitudes and beliefs are oppressive; they do not take into consideration the unique perceptions of the horse. The horse is a prey animal, and does not behave like a predator or like a man. They don’t think, “ How can I be a jerk?” They think, “Do I have an opportunity to protect myself? Can I take that opportunity?”
PONY FINALS 2016: Stefanie Mazer Knows
The Plaid Horse Magazine | 2017 | Sissy Wickes
Stefanie Mazer’s Forget Me Not Farm is every pony-crazy child’s dream. From the moment you enter the farm, you are met with ponies of all shapes and sizes, grazing contentedly in the lush, beautiful pastures. The beautiful, modern barn welcomes all who wish to share their love of horses and provides a functional layout to promote the highest level of training.
Out in the sand ring, long, lean Stefanie Mazer watches as a young child canters around the ring, her expert eye assessing every detail. The jumps are horse show caliber- walls, boxes, and flowers- scaled down to best suit the riders and ponies who jump them. It is a Lilliputian mecca for pony riders. Mazer knows ponies and has built her business in Wellington, Florida, primarily as a pony training and sales facility. With 22 stalls, her business is busiest during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) circuit when the area is flooded with equestrians from all over the world. Mazer loves her job, equally enjoying teaching young riders, training, and sales. Single, with no children of her own, Mazer is dedicated to those that ride with her. “I call them my kids. If they need to spend the night, they do. If we need to pick them up at school, we will. We just make it work.”
Mazer’s year starts in mid-December with the pre-circuit WEF shows and continues at a strong pace through the Devon Horse Show in May. After Devon, she slows down until the frenzied week of Pony Finals which feeds into a busy fall circuit. Mazer trains kids of all levels- from beginner to elite- and focuses on selling ponies. “People send ponies to me to sell because I get a lot of phone calls. There are some buyers who will shop with me and no one else.” Her reputation for honesty, hard work, and marketing acumen have made her a success story at the pony ring.