Mary, age 30, is from Godfrey, IL. She is a graduate of Truman State University with a degree in Agricultural Science with an emphasis equi
ne studies.
Mary began riding at age eight and got her start in hunter jumpers. She switched to dressage in high school. During college she interned at Forrest Hill Farm where she assisted in the training and starting of many young horses. She also assisted in the breeding program there.
After college she returned to FHF where she started a professional career as a dressage trainer and instructor. During that time she started and showed numerous young horses as well as showing through 4th level. While at FHF, she cliniced with Christopher Hickey on a reg
ular basis.
After two and a half years at FHF, Mary moved to Kansas City where she began training at Landers Farms. Since arriving here in Kansas City, she has had the privilege of working with Michael Beining on a regular basis. She has embraced the German style of training and firmly believes in its system.
Mary has taken two 10 day trips to Germany for Linda Landers in recent years. She rides and tries many horses on these trips for Linda. She hopes to make this a regular experience. Last January (2007) Mary spent 2 weeks in Germany trying several horses for importing and resale. These trips are an invaluable experience for Mary and continue to deepen her admiration for the German system.
Mary's own mare, Muriel Du Bois, is a black 17h 9 year old Percheron/Appaloosa cross that Mary has handled and trained since the mare was a foal. Muriel is by Cottonwood Flame, a full Percheron who competed very successfully at Grand Prix in Wellington! Judges who watched "Woody" compete are amazed at how closely his daughter resembles him and is following in his (big!) hoofsteps. In the 2007 competition year, Mary showed Muriel PSG (scores up to 68%) and I-1, qualifying for Regionals at both levels. Muriel is schooling all Grand Prix movements, including piaffe, passage, and one tempi's. Mary and Heather (her assistant) are putting together an I-1 Freestyle for the upcoming season. In addition to the freestyle, Mary is also planning on showing Muriel I-2.
Mary also trains and shows Linda Landers' (Past USDF Region IV director) horses. For more pictures and information on all the horses and students Mary works with, please visit the Clients & Students Page.
Mary's Achievements and Awards
Mary has earned many awards and achievements in dressage since starting her career as a dressage professional including her bronze and silver medals on horses she trained. The following is a partial list of the awards she has won.
2007
USDF Region 4 Training Level Open Champion 75%
USDF Region4 Training Level Open 5th place
USDF Region 4 Third Level Open 3rd place
USDF Region 4 Prix St. Georges Open 3rd place
USDF Region 4 Intermediare I Open 6th place
Qualified for and placed 13th in the FEI Markel Young Horse Championships in Lexington, KY
Missouri Dressage Classic High Point Hanoverian Award with a 72% at 3rd level
Summer Days at Longview Third Level Champion
St. Louis Dressage Summer Festival Training Level Champion
2006
KCDS Kickoff Show - 2nd Level Champion on Arragon & 4th Level Champion on Muriel Du Bois
KDEA Spring Show - High Score of Show
Summer Days at Longview I & II - Res. Champion 3rd Level
USDF Region 4 Championships - 3rd Place on Muriel at 3rd Level
2005
KCDS Reserve Open Champion 3rd Level on Muriel
KCDS Reserve Open 1st and 2nd Level with Simpatico
Reserve Champion 3rd Level at the Missouri Dressage Classic
High Point Open Champion at the KCDS Kick Off Show with Simpatico
2004
St. Louis First Level Champion
Several scores in the 70's at First Level on her mare, Muriel Du Bois
Qualified first Level on Prince Solo
2003
Topeka Training Level Champion
Longview Training Level Champion
Third place in Midwest Championship on Regency Rosse
Fifth place in Midwest Championship on Dublin
Eighth place in Region 4 Regional Championships on Dublin
2001
Indiana Dressage Society High Point Training Level Professional
Training Level Championship and High Point Champ at the Ohio Dressage Festival
Earned USDF Bronze Medal
Her two corgi's, Claire (left)and Wyatt, also "help" Mary with the horses.
Mary has been married to Owen Forck for 4 years. They met at Truman State while in school. He is a chemist at Ioditech in KCMO and also does a lot of building and home projects on the side. Owen enjoys camping, fishing, hunting, and playing his guitar in his "spare" time. He can often be seen helping around the barn and supporting Mary at the shows. He likes doing horsemanship excercises with the horses and riding when the opportunity presents itself! There's even a video of him riding bareback broncs at a rodeo...
