Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

Edwardsville horse woman is one of Top 50 Riding Instructors in America

Neil Armstrong described his 1969 moon walk as "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Marcy Heepke knows exactly how he felt.

The owner of Triangle H Farm in Edwardsville watched recently as a 2-year-old quarter horse named Apple took her first few steps with a rider on her back.

"Woo! That was a big deal," said Marcy, 34, who had spent months teaching the horse to trot around the arena, respond to reins and wear a saddle. "It doesn't look like much, but it is."

Riding instructor Kyla Timler climbed down from Apple's back after less than a minute. Marcy didn't want the horse to get too anxious and risk a setback.

"It's human nature to stay on too long," she said, stroking Apple's side. "We don't want to do that."

Patience is a guiding principle at Triangle H, where Marcy teaches riding lessons, sells tack, and boards, trains and leases horses.

Kyla, 18, of Edwardsville, has been her student for four years.

"One (of Marcy's phrases) that has stuck with me throughout my riding is, 'Slow and right beats fast and wrong,'" Kyla said. "It means you need to take the time to get you and the horse over an obstacle or past an emotional or mental block."

Students listen when Marcy speaks. She has been riding horses since childhood and has been giving lessons for 16 years. She has won awards in English jumping, dressage, Western pleasure and other events.

The American Riding Instructors Association named Marcy one of the Top 50 Riding Instructors in America this fall for the second time.

"I'm just blessed that my hobby is my profession," she said. "I sometimes feel guilty when I load up for a trail ride or a horse show. It's too much fun to be working."

Marcy lives in a brick ranch home on the Triangle H property with her husband, Jeff, a farmer who serves as president of the Horseradish Growers of Illinois.

The proximity makes it convenient for her to see daughters Grace, 3, and Emma, 2, who stay with Grandma Pam Heepke during the day.

"I can't imagine having a job where you have to be there at a certain time in the morning and leave at a certain time at night," said Marcy, whose work clothes include blue jeans, boots and a cowboy hat. "It's nice to be my own boss and schedule time with my kids."

Marcy grew up in a horse-loving family near Galesburg. Her mother, Sharon Anderson, rode while pregnant with her and later carried her in a baby pouch made of blue-jean material.

"I've been riding since before I was born," Marcy said.

She was active in 4-H and Future Farmers of America as a girl. She went on to attend Black Hawk College in Kewanee and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, earning a master's degree in animal science with an emphasis in equine reproduction.

Marcy delivered babies as manager of the SIUC Horse Center and worked on breeding farms while her friends spent spring break on the beach.

"Everybody makes fun of me because my e-mail address, which I got in college, is equineobgyn@yahoo.com," she said.

Marcy met Jeff at SIUC. He was particularly impressed with her work ethic. Barn chores always came before partying or staying home with the sniffles.

Marcy also was a good cook, which gave him a break from the university's cafeteria food.

"She does an excellent job of taking care of her family," said Jeff, 29. "She's having a (horse) clinic today, but she still found time to bring lunch to me in the field and ride around in the combine."

The Heepkes leased Triangle H for three years before buying the 109-acre farm in 2005. They board about 70 horses and host summer camps, competitions, Girl Scout activities and birthday parties.

The farm also serves as headquarters for Madison County Trailblazers, Triangle H Equestrian Club and Hooves, Paws and Claws 4-H Club.

"I call it 'the happy place,'" said Sandy Cleveland, 68, of Bethalto, who boards her 12-year-old quarter horse Zipper. "There's always something fun or exciting going on here.

"You might have 100 kindergartners or a clinician coming or a new animal. (There are) horses, chickens, cats, pot-bellied pigs. And all the kids who work here are just fantastic."

Marcy emphasizes community service at Triangle H. She hosts events to raise money for charity, serves on the Illinois Equine Research Promotion Board and takes her mini petting zoo to nursing homes. Kindergartners visit each year as part of Edwardsville Future Farmers of America Farm Day.

In 2007, Marcy received a $10,000 award for Best Barn in North America for Giving Back to the Community from Stable Management magazine and Pfizer Animal Health. She donated half to a metro-east organization that rescued former racehorses.

Marcy is perhaps most proud of a local honor in April. The River Bend Growth Association named Triangle H Small Business of the Month.

"You don't think of a farm as a business with all the mud and the flies," Marcy said. "It's just not as pretty as a bank. But it's special that an agricultural business can be recognized as Small Business of the Month."For more information on Triangle H Farm, call 692-4823 or visit www.trianglehfarm.com.