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California Riding Magazine • June, 2009 MM Training by Kathleen Burke Jensen |
Michelle Motyl likes her students to have fun while they learn in her hunter/jumper program, MM Training, located at Applecreek Farms in the East Bay Area’s Castro Valley. With nearly 20 years of riding experience and seven years as a trainer, Motyl brings a European touch to her training program. “I spend time each year in Stuttgart, Germany starting young sporthorses in their jumping training,” she explains. “What I learn there I bring back and share with my students.”
Michelle Motyl Each summer Motyl goes to Stuttgart where she has Polish and German relatives and works at a training camp specially designed for young sporthorses. “In Germany they really know how the animals work, especially jumping,” she says. This particular facility will break them in and get them comfortable with fences. Back home, Motyl specializes in working with racetrack rescue Thoroughbreds. She used to exercise horses on the track and, while she respects the sport and learned a lot doing the work, she enjoys giving these amazing animals a second career away from the stringent demands of the track. “I like to give the little guys a chance,” she says. In fact, most of her lesson horses are racetrack rescue Thoroughbreds.
Di Tran competing Classy on the local show circuit. Growing up in Los Angeles, Michelle started riding at the age of 5 with the well-known Foxfield program, which she calls a phenomenal experience. She participated each year in their horse camps, eventually graduating to programs in Malibu and competing on the desert show circuit. “I still remember the day I took my first lesson,” recalls Motyl with a grin. “Dad drove me to the barn in the morning and read a book in the car while I played with the horses all day. Throughout her career, she has worked with some of the top Grand Prix competitors including world-renowned trainers Richard Spooner and George Morris. She focuses on making sure each student becomes successful with their riding goals. MM Training programs are designed to help students become experienced and successful equestrians. Each student is placed with a quality lesson horse and a program created to achieve their own specific individual goals.
Michelle Motyl schooling Dunny at a local show in Livermore. Student Di Tran started working with Motyl when she was 8 years old and has been in training for four years. When she started with MM Training, she’d only had a couple of western lessons and now she jumps 3’3’’ courses on a 14.2hh pony. “She’s been one of my star students,” says Motyl with enthusiasm. Di’s mom comes to every lesson and helps out at the shows. The trainer enjoys seeing parents who have enthusiasm for what their kids love. MM Training participates in the local schooling circuits so that students can gain experience and have fun. Motyl plans to take her 5-year-old “project” Thoroughbred mare, Savannah, to local shows this summer to get comfortable with the competitive scene. “Savannah’s a work in progress,” she explains.
Nila riding Boe at a show in Oakland. The Applecreek Farms facility recently came under new management and is refocusing on more of the english riding disciplines. Jennifer Case is the new manager and she also provides horsemanship training for small children. Steven Stralton is the dressage and eventing trainer and Rod Hernandez offers western training. Applecreek Farms is a full service facility where the stalls are cleaned seven days a week and all the arenas are dragged every day, including two big outdoor arenas, an indoor arena and an outdoor jumping arena. There are also wash racks with hot and cold water.
For more information on working with MM Training contact Michelle Motyl at 925-895-2913 or visit www.mmtraining.sports.officelive.com. |
