My Moment Teacher and Friend: Alexandra Danneman

Alexandra Dannenmann is a IPZV B Icelandic Horse Trainer, and the one and only US National Sport Judge. (Non-horse person translation, she’s basically the best of the best horse trainers!) Under Alex’s wing, I aim to also attain a rank as an Icelandic Horse Trainer so I can spread the Icelandic Horse obsession and cater to the growing need of trainers in America!

So how has Alex influenced me?

A year ago, I hit a point when passion, joy, and self confidence left, where all my emotions became ‘muted.’ I became trapped in what NF’s “Paralyzed” lyrics describe;

“When did I become so numb?
When did I lose myself?
All the words that leave my tongue
Feel like they came from someone else”

I needed people and God to pull me out, show me my purpose and rekindle fires of life, and that is where Alexandra Danneman showed up!

_____________________My Moment Teacher________________________

Watching Alex successfully training and maintaining a farm with over ten horses has made me deem Alex the very definition of an Entrepenuer. She has inspired me to create and acheive my goal. Alexandra is one of those people who is constantly uplifting; always full of vitality, inspiration and dreams, someone I aspire to be like. These qualities have aided herself and blessed our community in her pursuit of ‘the American Dream.’ Alex has invested time in the crucially needed Icelandic horse training clinics in America, worked with those with physical and cognitive disabilites, and even hosted a Christmas Event for children with cancer.

She’s pretty much a boss at what she does;

When I began riding at Alex’s stable, I was totally clueless and a bit timid from a former fall. Now I practically die inside as I wait to hop on! During my riding lessons, Alex always encouraged me to stop thinking and just to feel the rhythm of the horse; to be in the moment and ‘let go.’ Being the worry worm I am, this concept of being in the moment and letting go was foreign to me, and these dreams she talked about- I thought I shouldn’t waste my time on pursuing my own. I always left these lessons feeling uplifted, and as much as this rekindling of joy and inspirement annoyed me at first, it gradually began to translate into giving up control, laughing whole heartedly, and trying to look at the bright side of things. So; like Alex dared to start a new life in America, I dared to face hurt and began to take steps into letting go of the past and acheiving my purpose. I now can definately say when I ride, or when I volounteer at Therapy Ranches and see a challenged kid understand be understood I “feel the life in life.”

(For a break of humour) There have definately been moments at my low points Alex has had to step in like this;

Unexpectedly, Alex’s persistence on me ‘being in the moment’ translated into my quality of work as a horse trainer. The more I am in the moment with the horse, the more I can sense the horses’ intention, and respond as a leader to it. At this point in my horse career, I’ve had a hand in training six difficult horses on my personal watch, and I can honestly say, without the knowlege Alex has passed onto me, two of them would have been a lost cause!

I want to pass on the message to all of you to not allow your baggage to drag you down and numb you out. You were created for a purpose, and with an individual passion. One of the best ways to bless/better your community is by living up to what you were born to do.