Meet Melanie Newkirk | Horse Trainer and Horseback Riding Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Newkirk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my own business happened pretty organically. I was working for another horse trainer/riding instructor in the area and when COVID occurred we had to adapt. Clients and their horses moved to different locations. I wanted to be able to continue to help some of my clients that relocated, acquire my own insurance, which led to my own business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I would say that my career with horses was inevitable from a young age. I was a “horse girl” from the very beginning. I was fortunate enough to ride, learn and compete throughout my childhood and into college. After graduating I was pretty determined to not have a career in horses, wanting them to remain my passion and not my livelihood. Despite being a personal trainer, to managing a clothing store and a doctor’s office, I would continually come back to the horses. When a friend of mine with a horseback riding lesson program needed coverage during a medical leave, filling in for her fit easily into my life at the time. Since then, I haven’t really looked back.

The industry is filled with differing opinions and beliefs. I think finding the line that you want to walk, as a professional, with all of the external input can be a challenge. I’ve made mistakes along the way, and have a few horses (and people) that I owe an apology to.

Now, my goals are driven by the desire to have happy horses, that love their job and their people. Building a relationship out of trust makes for much happier horses and horsemen. I want to continue to be a “student of the horse” for the rest of my life and hopefully share what I’ve learned with others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Other than wanting to introduce them to all of the horses in my life, Colorado has some pretty awesome places to be proud of. A staple for when any of my friends come to town is A.K.A Kitchen, in Loveland, as a brunch spot. Getting out to see the views that Colorado has to offer is always a must, usually Estes Park or Horsetooth Reservoir, but Pawnee Grasslands is where I choose to go target shooting, and is always a fun way to spend the afternoon. If the opportunity arises, finding a concert to go to at Red Rocks is always a hit too.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center has certainly been been a big part of my success! I was hired by H&H as their Full Time Equine Trainer in October of 2021. Their program and it’s mission have nourished my love, understanding, and appreciation for horses immeasurably.

Image Credits
Lisa Hempel & Carol Meyer