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Horseytalk.net Special Interview
Deanna Edgy
Left. Right. Left. Right. Attention.
Army wife and mother named Horse Trainer of the Year
From the first time Deanna Edgy saw horses ride down the beach near her childhood home she was hooked. As soon as she was old enough, she started working at Sea Island Stables on St. Simon's Island, first cleaning stalls then progressing to leading trail rides and eventually training horses.
Her family didn't understand her passion, but once they realized there could be a good career in horses they supported her dream. She knew she wanted to be involved in the equine industry, but even Deanna had no idea horses would take her so far.
While working as assistant trainer at a barn, Edgy met Mary Anne Jones. They hit it off right away as she helped Jones ready her show horse for the arena. Jones had a dream to own her own stable, Edgy wanted to be a trainer and instructor, so when Jones opened Bluff Creek Stables in 2002, she knew exactly who to call to help her get started.
"Deanna's work ethic, dependability and loyalty make her vital to the stables," said Jones. "It is a team effort here and it would not be as happy or enjoyable of a place without her."
When the stable opened they had seven stalls, yet shortly afterward they added 35 more and continued to develop a large lesson program and string of show horses.
But in 2007, Edgy had to leave Georgia when her husband Gannon's military career called for a change of duty station. Since then, Edgy has worn many hats as she traveled around the country.
"I have been so fortunate that every time we have moved somewhere I have been able to stay in the business," explained Edgy. "I have been able to put my finger in just about every breed and discipline and I think that has made me a better horse person."
Although the family has moved around frequently, they have been able to adapt quickly because their understanding of each other.
"When he met me, Gannon knew that we were going to be horse people," Edgy said with a smile. "He doesn’t know much about horses, but he has been extremely supportive of me just like I have been very supportive of his career."
In 2011, Deanna and Gannon returned to Fort Stewart with their two daughters when he took a position as first sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team.
Shortly after their return, Jones offered Edgy a position as trainer instructor, and she gladly accepted. Returning full circle to her favorite barn, she couldn't have been happier.
"I love my job," said Edgy. "It really makes me feel good to ride, teach and interact with people who really enjoy horses."
In November, her passion and dedication was recognized as her peers voted her 'Horse Trainer of the Year' for the United Professional Horseman's Association, Chapter 17.
Although elated, the timing was bittersweet for Edgy. The same weekend she received the news of her award, she was also saying goodbye to her husband as he left for another deployment to Afghanistan.
"[My family and I] try to keep a good attitude about our deployments, especially since we have been through so many together, but [winning] was an extremely nice thing to happen for the barn and me right now," Edgy said. "It came as complete shock, I wasn’t even thinking about it."
Her students weren't quite as surprised, though.
"I was really excited when I heard she had won the award because I have always known she was a really good trainer," said Sara Kate Garrett, a Richmond Hill Middle School student. "But for someone else to realize that means a lot."
Having come from a long line of military service members, Jones is a huge supporter of soldiers, and does all she can, along with Edgy, to help out.
"We believe everyone should have a chance to experience horses," Edgy said. "Whether it is just riding for pleasure or for show we are more than happy to help give a lesson or even just a pony ride, and we offer discounts on lessons and clinics to military."
Today, Edgy is taking it a day at a time as she balances her daughters' lives, her involvement with the unit's family readiness group and her lesson and training schedules.
"I enjoy so much what I do that it helps me stay focused not so much on what [Gannon] is doing [overseas]," she said. "I feel so blessed that I have children, animals, a great boss and a lot of great people who support me, so I stay very busy."
Edgy will receive her official award for 'Horse Trainer of the Year' during a presentation in February, but her real reward will be when her husband returns from Afghanistan this fall, and their family will be together once again, so far, yet so close to where she started almost 25 years ago as a little girl, not knowing what she wanted out of life except that it had to involve horses.