Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lana Markway. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Lana, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?
When buying horses that are potential prospects and making them winners is something I started back in my youth days. Actually, I was in middle school. I had a horse I did most of everything on my own in 2002. He and I won some world titles that year at the American Paint Horse World Championship Show. That sparked the interest of a potential buyer. My aunt was the agent at that time due to the fact she was my horse trainer, but it all kind of started then. He brought a lot of money for 2002 and I have kind of continued to do the same thing. My aunt is no longer with us so I do all the marketing and communication with potential buyers. It has really been a fun process and I have made friends for life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started out showing horses when I was very little. I competed at my first APHA World Show when I was 18 months old so I have been competing most of my life. Recently in the last few years it’s turned into a business. Around 2015 I had a horse that I sold that went on to win so much with his youth rider and it’s kind of just turned into something fun and not expected. Now I focus on finding prospect Quarter Horses and making them into great horses for youth and amateur riders. I am still in amateur, which I cannot accept money for coaching or training and this was another way to keep myself showing and making great horses for others. It’s very rewarding and I love to watch these horses go on and become multiple world champions. The riders strive to in hopes to make it to a division 1 school and ride on an equestrian team.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A few years ago. I had found a young horse online to breakout as a 2 year old and I did just take. Well that summer of his two year old year he ended up hurting me. Luckily it wasn’t very bad, but after that I had a lot of fear and still had to get him broke and shown in hopes to make him a good show horse. The horse had ended up having a lot of confirmation issues and we did give it our best try, but we found it would be best to donate him for a program in another state. Where they love him and he is able to help their program. Sometimes things just don’t go as planned, but regardless I try to do what’s best for the animal. Luckily, I have had a few horses since then that have really help with my confidence and have helped me trust again.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I wish I could make this full time, but I still have to have another job to fund the years that horses don’t sell, but hopefully in the future with starting a small breeding program I’ll have enough inventory to keep up, but for now I am just taking it slow and hoping it really turns into something even bigger and better.
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Contact Info:
Image Credits
Win pic 1 – Larry Williams Photography
Causal Green and Blue shirt and rainbow pic – Rachel Reilly Photography
Pink Hat pic – Rachel Griffin Photography
American Royal pic – Ryan Geiger Photography