by Mary Knetter

Created on: July 25, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

There are many great horsemen and women educating riders and owners today. From the instructor teaching bubbly students with a small herd of patient mounts, to the Grand Prix dressage rider teaching a string of successful students, there are many people considered sacred to their students and animals in their care.

They give us dreams and goals to work for. They help us strive to be better horse owners, riders and caretakers. Who are they? They are five of the greatest horsemen and women in America.

1. TOM DORRANCE is considered to be the founder of the modern natural horsemanship movement in the United States. He has educated thousands of people throughout his lifetime educating owners, riders and trainers.

Dorrance was the first to introduce the idea of "making the wrong things difficult and the right things easy" by setting the horse up to figure out what to do by themselves. Because of his insight and knowledge, he created a method of training that horsemen and women consider the center of their training methods. With is cowboy allure and simple ways, Dorrance gave people a "new" way of thinking about training.

2. MARGUERITE HENRY instilled a passion in her young readers. With her book Misty of Chincoteague, Henry created a passion for the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague, off the coast of Virginia, and the ponies that lived there. To this day, the annual Pony Penning Days brings thousands of enthusiasts to a small town on the Virginia coast to adopt a piece of the islands that Henry made famous.

Henry's thrilling and loving stories, often combined with beautiful artwork, educated and entertain thousands of children and adults to this day. Her words share a love and passion with those who admire her books. She is the reason many people are horsemen today.

3. ROBERT M. MILLER, DVM introduced imprint training to breeders as a way to gentle foals and make them easier to work with. Dr. Miller discovered that when he assisted a problem birth that the foal is easier to work with as an adult because it was exposed to humans from birth.

Dr. Miller, through his books, articles and clinics, educates owners and breeders about foal care and horse training. Because of that, Dr. Miller is considered to be one of America's favorite horsemen.

4. SALLY SWIFT, creator of the Centered Riding technique, revolutionized the way horsemen and women ride. She introduced an easy to understand way of classical riding that is relaxed, balanced and in sync with the horse. She continues

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