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From wild mustang Tag #2820 to Marshmallow to Marvel: The Inspirational Success Story of a Little Mustang

Writer's picture: Mirka CrewMirka Crew

Updated: Jan 27

This is a story that almost didn't happen, but it felt meant to be! It's about the horse that now represents my logo and shapes the essence of my business. This horse has inspired my Posture Focused Training program and the Sky Is Not The Limit ONLINE ACADEMY!


Marshmallow, fittingly named for her sweetness and also referred to as Mustang Marvel due to her surprisingly concealed talents, was my 'computer draw' for the Mustang Heritage Foundation's 2019 Florida Extreme Mustang Makeover. Was she assigned to me by coincidence, or perhaps by destiny? 


At the wild mustang pick up in Florida, I received my envelope with the draw number and checked all the pens, but I couldn't find her. I walked right past her, not even checking her tag number, because I assumed she was a yearling! She was already 5 years old but looked like a yearling. She was short. I wasn't sure if I was too tall to ride her, but then I considered that someone needed to start the ponies for the kids and hoped I was small and light enough to do that. I imagined she could become a child's pony one day.


Wild mustang tag #2820 at the EMM pick up.
Wild mustang tag #2820 at the EMM pick up.

I never anticipated that my then 4-year-old son, Grady, would fall in love with her. He was the main reason I bid on her at the Extreme Mustang Makeover adoption auction and decided to keep her.

 My 4-year old son Grady affectionately embraces the mustang Marshmallow, hoping to bring her home from the Extreme Mustang Makeover event.
My 4-year old son Grady affectionately embraces the mustang Marshmallow, hoping to bring her home from the Extreme Mustang Makeover event.

Let's return to the start. When I began working with mustang Marshmallow, she was unbalanced and weak, frequently stumbling and occasionally even falling to her knees just while on a lunge line initially. My primary goal was to enhance her balance and strength on the ground first. I dreamed of someday riding her atop a big hill into the sunset, but often I doubted if it would ever become a reality. It was much easier to imagine than to achieve, and I frequently wondered, "Is it even possible?" Every day as I passed by the hill, I would daydream about it, and it seemed truly amazing in my imagination, but the reality was quite different at that time.


For some time, I hesitated to ride her anywhere other than a flawlessly maintained arena or on smooth surfaces, due to the increased risk of her stumbling and falling on uneven ground. How was I aware of this? She had fallen with me once. Fortunately, neither of us was hurt. That fall marked a significant turning point in our journey. I continue to believe that nearly every negative event has a positive aspect, particularly if it serves as a learning experience.


At that time, I had trained horses for Reining, Working Cowhorse, and Western Dressage World Championships, rode the mustang Gemma in a collected manner without a bridle, and performed a collected piaffe at liberty. I realized that all those horses were naturally very athletic and well-balanced. In fact, I selected Gemma from 85 wild mustangs primarily for her athleticism. Most of the others were well-bred Quarter Horses. 


What about horses that aren't naturally balanced? This is where things become intriguing. Does this imply they can't achieve better balance and athleticism? How can we know unless we try?


How did something nearly impossible for us become achievable? It was because I believed it could be done and I never gave up, even when things became difficult. Trust me, it got really tough, particularly when I discovered that Marshmallow refused to accept a bridle. Any bridle, regardless of the times we tried. There was no physical problem identified. She simply didn't like wearing one. She would keep her mouth as wide open as possible just by having it on, even without any pressure on the bit.


I persevered even when the way forward was uncertain. I remained determined even when it felt unattainable. For her to achieve the balance and strength she now possesses, I first needed to discover my own balance and strength. I prioritized her and made time for her amidst countless other responsibilities. Many of these involved nighttime training sessions in the dark.


I needed to muster the inner strength and self-discipline to banish every doubt and negative outside influence from my mind, replacing them with positive and encouraging thoughts, all on my own. Who do I converse with most frequently? Myself!


I am also grateful for the amazing mentors from whom I have learned so much. Some advised that my chosen path might not succeed and suggested I follow the conventional route with a bridle. They meant well and have been very supportive. However, understanding my horse, it just didn't seem like the right path for us.


I believed.

I had a purpose.

I trusted my instincts.

I was driven by a divinely inspired passion.

I was determined to figure this out.


Mustang Marshmallow impresses the audience with a graceful canter at liberty during the Freestyle performance at the 2019 Extreme Mustang Makeover.
Mustang Marshmallow impresses the audience with a graceful canter at liberty during the Freestyle performance at the 2019 Extreme Mustang Makeover.

Marshmallow's undiscovered talents, her strong desire to attempt new things, and her remarkable drive to earn grain rewards made us an unstoppable team. As we advanced, both our courage and confidence increased. In just a hundred days since she was wild and untouched at the 2019 Florida Extreme Mustang Makeover, Marvel was moving around me freely in a collected frame with amazing balance.


Within the next year, she was performing passage without a bridle, with me riding her! After the Makeover, I continued her training mostly bareback and bridleless for the majority of the 6 years I've had her, except for a few events where a bosal or a bitless bridle was required and a couple of sessions where a bosal aided her balance during the training of flying lead changes. Riding without a bridle keeps her and I more connected and allows for greater freedom of movement. Additionally, a saddle would add unnecessary weight to this small horse. Marvel was never trained with a bit in her mouth.


Her name, Marshmallow, is still appropriate as she softly leans with her muzzle toward a bystander at an event for a gentle kiss or quietly carries my son Grady, boosting his confidence.

My son Grady shares a sweet moment with Marshmallow, the horse, leaning in for a gentle kiss.
My son Grady shares a sweet moment with Marshmallow, the horse, leaning in for a gentle kiss.

Yet, when my dressage mentor described her as marvelous during one of our bridleless dressage lessons, the name Marvel fit her perfectly and became permanent.


Mustang Marvel performing a cantering pirouette.
Mustang Marvel performing a cantering pirouette.

Indeed, I had the opportunity to fulfill one of my greatest dreams. I rode Mustang Marvel into the sunset atop the hill, exhibiting remarkable posture and balance, without a bridle. Sedrick Hicks from PS 91 Digital Arts was there to expertly capture it on video! Upon viewing the footage, I realized that the silhouette of Mustang Marvel and me riding into the sunset was the perfect emblem for my brand. It embodies my evolving concepts, Posture Focused Trainingâ„¢ and the Sky Is NOT The Limit (my Online Academy), which inspire me and my students to believe in, pursue, and never give up on our dreams, no matter how unattainable they may initially seem.

Mustang Marvel trots majestically on the hilltop at sunset, embodying bridleless collection that inspired both business logos for Mirka Crew's Posture Focused Trainingâ„¢ and the The Sky Is NOT The Limit Online Academy.
Mustang Marvel trots majestically on the hilltop at sunset, embodying bridleless collection that inspired both business logos for Mirka Crew's Posture Focused Trainingâ„¢ and the The Sky Is NOT The Limit Online Academy.

Marvel's other Achievements to Date:

2019 TOP 3 Florida Extreme Mustang Makeover 

2020 CHAMPION W-T-L Pattern Mustang Heritage Foundation Virtual Show 

2022 TOP 5 Mustang Magic Celebrity Invitational Freestyle/ as a guest in Marsha Sapp’s Freestyle

2022 RESERVE CHAMPION ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Liberty Festival

2023 TOP 3 ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Liberty Festival

  • CHAMPION Pro Bareback & Bridleless Advanced

  • CHAMPION Pro Liberty Team Intermediate 

  • RESERVE CHAMPION Open Freestyle Compulsory 

2024 TOP 5 Mustang Champions Freestyle 

2024 Mustang Heritage Foundation Spectacular Open Show and Celebrity Freestyle

  • CHAMPION W/T/C Ranch Riding (25 entries)

  • CHAMPION Maneuvers Under Saddle W/T/C (17 entries)

  • CHAMPION Western Dressage Basic Test 2 73.40%

  • CHAMPION Western Dressage Level 1 Test 1

  • 6th Celebrity Freestyle 

2024 TOP 3 ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Liberty Festival  

2024 ILHA In-Person Championship 

  • CHAMPION Liberty from a Ridden Horse Intermediate 

  • CHAMPION Liberty from a Ridden Horse Novice 

  • CHAMPION Liberty Teams Distinguished 

  • CHAMPION Advanced Bridledless 


During the 2023 Invitational Freestyle at the ILHA Liberty Festival in Lexington, KY, Mustang Marvel showcased an impressive bridleless cantering pirouette. This stunning display of skill highlighted the horse's agility and training, captivating the audience with its grace and precision.
During the 2023 Invitational Freestyle at the ILHA Liberty Festival in Lexington, KY, Mustang Marvel showcased an impressive bridleless cantering pirouette. This stunning display of skill highlighted the horse's agility and training, captivating the audience with its grace and precision.

Watch and witness the incredible 6-year journey condensed into 7 minutes in the video below. The journey has been remarkable, and it appears to be just the start. Mustang Marvel's impact on those around her is only a small glimpse of what's to come.


The sky is NOT the limit for you my friend,

Mirka



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