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cover story
lana markway -MAKING HER MARK-
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Being successful showing horses takes a lot of dedication and commitment. Being successful as a do-it-yourself amateur can be even more challenging. For multiple World and Reserve World Champion Lana Markway, competing as a do-ityourselfer makes success in the arena even more rewarding.
A Fa mi l y’s Pa s s i o n Lana Markway can’t remember a day when horses weren’t a part of her life. In fact, she had a pony before she was even born. “When my mom found out she was pregnant with me, she and my aunt decided to buy me pony, so horses have been a part of my life since the very beginning,” said Lana. “My grandfather was competitive in the pulling horses and my aunt trained show horses, so it is a passion that definitely runs in my family.” Lana started showing in Leadline when she was just 18 months old. That same year she competed at her very first APHA World Championship Show. “My aunt, Suzetta Busby, was a well-known APHA World and Congress Champion trainer in Missouri, so I spent most of my career showing at APHA shows,” said Lana. “I have made so many friends through the years so showing together is always fun.” Although Lana had a lot of success as a Youth exhibitor, which includes winning multiple World and Reserve World Championships, it wasn’t until she was an Amateur that she achieved her life-long goal of being the number one exhibitor in the nation.
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“One of my greatest accomplishments as an equestrian was in 2018 when I was the number one amateur,” Lana said. “As a kid I always wanted to be number one in the nation and fell short many times.
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M ACH RO M ES & T E L L A L L YO UR F RI EN DS
To finally accomplish that was special. It was even more rewarding to have accomplished it with a four-year-old that I was hauling and showing all on my own.”
A D IYe r Although it isn’t always easy, and certainly not without challenges, Lana has found both tremendous success and joy in keeping her horses at home and competing as a do-it-yourselfer. “I’ve been doing it myself since I moved from Texas back to Missouri,” said Lana. “When I do send horses to a trainer I see it as a great learning opportunity, but I definitely always need to have at least one at home that I’m riding.” Lana keeps her horses at the same facility south of Kansas City that her aunt trained out of. Since she lives about an hour away from the barn, she spends a lot of time driving back and forth. One of the things that helps make that feasible is a job that allows her to work remotely. “I am social worker at a health center that serves communities all across Missouri,” said Lana. “All of my work is done remotely so that definitely makes it easier to spend time in the barn and go to horse shows without having to take much time off work.”
(TOP PICTURE) CR LOVE LIKE CRAZY (MIDDLE & BOTTOM PICTURES) LANA & HER AUNT, SUZETTA BUSBY
Along with a flexible career, Lana is quick to acknowledge that it also PREMIER | DECEMBER 2021 | 13
LANA & HER HUSBAND, TAYLOR
takes a great support system for anyone to be successful showing horses, but especially a do-it-yourselfer.
it is so rewarding.”
Looking Ahead “I am very thankful my husband for being so supportive,” said Lana. “He understands how much I love the horses and showing. My mom is my eyes on the ground. She will help me trouble shoot when I’m struggling with a horse and is great at helping me figure out a different approach to get past it. There are also some wonderful trainers who have helped teach me a lot.” While it is a big-time commitment to keep her horses at home, Lana truly enjoys being a do-it-yourself amateur. “I love bringing my horses along and accomplishing my goals, but it is definitely difficult,” said Lana. “It’s a lot when you’re hauling yourself, plus I usually have a young horse that I’m taking along to ride around, but when it all comes together it’s worth all of the time and effort. ‘L’ is the first horse that I have done completely on my own and every time we show 14 | PREMIER | DECEMBER 2021
Machromes, one of Lana’s current show partners who is known around the barn as ‘L,’ is a soon to be 3-year-old double registered mare by When In Chrome. Her other show horse, Tell All Your Friends fondly known as Calvin, is a soon to be four-year-old APHA gelding by All Time Fancy. “They are both great show horses,” said Lana. “Last year I won the 2 and 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle at the Fall Color Classic with Calvin and this year I won the same class with L. To win that class back-to-back years when each was horse was two was pretty cool.” In addition to attending more Quarter Horse shows, Lana’s goal for 2022 is to get L ready to show in the all-around events.
“We are going to focus on learning the patterns and see how that plays out,” said Lana. “But I think it is important to let the horse tell me what they’re ready for and go from there. Hopefully we’ll be ready for The Premier in Kentucky. I’ve had my sights on that show since I purchased L.” In addition to The Premier, Lana hopes to compete at the World Show but for now is taking it one day at a time. “I’ve learned that even the best laid plans can change quickly,” said Lana. “I really try to just go with the flow. I’m looking forward to showing L and Calvin this next year and who knows, maybe adding a few more horses along the way.” As she prepares for the 2022 show season, Lana’s advice to other non-pro riders considering becoming do-it-yourselfers is to believe in yourself and never give up.
“You have to believe in yourself,” said Lana. “There are many times I’ve felt defeated, but I’ve never given up when it’s hard. Having a great support system helps. There have been a lot of challenges the last five years, but I love this too much to give up. There will be highs and lows but having a great ride in the arena is even more rewarding when you have done it all yourself.” Article written by Courtney Parmenter Photography by Kirstie Marie Photography & Rachel Reilly Photography
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