Volunteer Spotlight: Nancy Cunningham
This month, we are beyond honored to celebrate a true pillar of the Mane Stream community: Nancy Cunningham. For two decades, Nancy has brought her expertise, calm spirit, and unwavering dedication to our barn, our herd, and our riders. A natural leader and gifted horsewoman, she possesses a quiet demeanor that the horses truly adore, making her an exceptional mentor to our new volunteers.
A Journey That Began with a Connection
Nancy’s journey started in the early 2000s through a chance meeting of a Mane Stream instructor at the barn in East Amwell, where she boarded her horse. A few years later, her horse sadly passed away, and she was drawn back to the magic of horses, this time with the "amazing work" being done at Mane Stream. From the moment she was welcomed by our early team, she was hooked.
"The staff and volunteers were so friendly and helpful, and the herd so kind and willing! Just like today!"
The Heart of the Horse Show
While Nancy is most commonly seen leading horses for adaptive lessons, if a Mane Stream Horse Show is happening, you can bet Nancy will try to be there. She fondly remembers the early days of group lessons and trail rides through the back fields of Cold Brook Preserve, but Nancy really loves seeing the pride in a rider’s eyes when they earn a ribbon in the show. Nancy has always been a steady, encouraging presence for those "beaming" students. But let’s not forget the horses! Nancy has a soft spot for the Fjords (especially Beyra and Minnie!), and through the years she’s also favored horses like Gracie, Tink, and Myrell.
Above and Beyond the Distance
What many might not realize is that Nancy now lives quite a distance from Mane Stream, yet her dedication has never wavered. She keeps a close eye on her inbox for "subs needed" emails. Whenever there is a gap in her schedule, Nancy will step up and pick up a shift, proving that no drive is too long when a horse or a rider is in need.
Witnessing Growth and Expansion
Nancy has been a firsthand witness to how Mane Stream has evolved to serve more of our community. She shares:
"Today there are so many great programs offered to a wide variety of people, including Horses for Healing, Field Trips for Groups and Paddock Pals. It is wonderful to see the expansion of opportunities reaching out to diverse groups of people in the neighboring communities."
Nancy, thank you for your 20 years of service and it is a privilege to have you as part of our family!
