Spotlight on Stride Ahead’s Bookkeeper
Nancy Scott
In 2010, after reading the novel Horse Heaven, Nancy was motivated to spend more time with horses. Thankfully she visited Little Creek farm where she met Stride Ahead Founder, Anne Preston. Inspired by the work Anne was doing, Nancy signed up for the next volunteer training and has been coming to the barn every week since (except during COVID). That same year she offered to become Stride Ahead’s bookkeeper, the offer was quickly accepted, and she continues in that role today, providing steadfast service to the administration of our program.
In early January 2011, Nancy joined Mark Jaglarz’s riding program, but after a few lessons decided her time was best spent taking care of horses instead of riding them, a decision that has led her to remarkable involvement not only with our horses but also with others at the barn who share her commitment.
Among her many activities at Little Creek are horse ground work and bodywork, Horse Speak and service as a member of the Little Creek Advisory Committee.
One of Nancy’s most meaningful connections to Little Creek and Stride Ahead has been as the owner of Al, our 30-year-old off- track Thoroughbred who was retired from Mark’s riding program in 2019. At that time Al was leased by Jenny Rachelson, who has continued as Nancy’s partner in the care and upkeep of Al. While Al is no longer ridden, he and his best buddy, Justin, are providing valuable service as the “Rock Stars” in Stride Ahead’s EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy) program, and everyone in the barn is grateful of Nancy and Jenny’s devotion to giving Al the very best life possible.
Nancy is perhaps best known around the barn today as a certified Masterson Method Equine Specialist who has introduced many other horse-lovers to this unique form of horse massage. After witnessing a massage of one of our horses and researching different types of equine bodywork, she settled on the Masterson Method (MM) and has attended several MM clinics and demonstrations. She was certified in 2019 to train others in the fundamental MM technique, “Bladder Meridian,” and has been enormously generous with her time teaching anyone interested in the technique.
To further help those who wanted to learn more, this summer she organized a band of seven Little Creek friends to attend a two-day MM clinic in South Carolina. All of them came back inspired and ready to work with horses at Little Creek, and Nancy has aptly named the group “Yawns a Lot,” which is what we hope every horse will do during a MM massage. Yawns a Lot, or YAL, intends to meet monthly to practice and advance their bodywork skills with the goal of relaxing Little Creek horses and helping them feel good. Got a horse you want “magically” relaxed? YAL is ready to help!
No one would be surprised to learn Nancy is known at the barn for always being available to help where help is needed.
She is a very valued member of the Little Creek community, where her willingness to serve and support is without question. The horse owners, volunteers, barn staff and our precious horses all benefit from her generosity.
Thank you Nancy for all you do!!
Thank you, Nancy!
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Margaret and all of our wonderful volunteers who make Stride happen, thank you.
