Each month, as part of our Aging in Atlanta series, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution introduces readers to a local member of the city’s thriving 55+ community. This month, we profile Mark Jaglarz, a native of Poland who has called Georgia home since 1989. Jaglarz teaches horseback riding to children and adults of all ages through his riding school at Little Creek Farm Conservancy in Decatur. He tells us more in the conversation below.
Q: How long have you been in Georgia, and what part of metro Atlanta do you call home?
A: I have been in Georgia since 1989. Right now I live in Conyers.
Q: Tell us a bit about what you do at Little Creek Farm Conservancy and how you came to do that work.
A: At Little Creek, I’ve been teaching horseback riding since 1994. When I came to Georgia, I was looking for an opportunity to work with horses, which I’ve done all my life. Little Creek was looking for instructors, so I got the opportunity and have been teaching ever since.
Q: Amazing, and where are you from originally?
A: Originally, I am from Poland. My hometown is Kraków, in the south of Poland.
Q: What types of students do you teach? Are they beginners? More advanced? And what are they learning during your lessons?
A: In Poland, I was involved in riding. I was competing myself, and I got my instructor license in 1971, and my trainer’s license in 1987. So it’s been a long time (that) I’ve been involved with horses.
Because Little Creek is a public place, we have students from all walks of life — from beginners to advance. I teach kids and adults, from age 7 to 87.
I’m giving background for dressage, jumping. Because of the nature of people taking lessons, I am limited in what I can do. In order to compete, it’s required to have a horse of your own. Schooling horses work every day, so it would be difficult to go to the shows, but we teach kids and teenagers, retired people, different walks of life.
We’re open for everybody.
Q: Do you keep your own private horses?
A: Yes, at this point I have four horses, but my students let me generously use (theirs) for lessons, also.
Q: How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working with horses and your students?
A: I spend time with my family, my grandchildren. My son is working for Delta. And we have a lot of wonderful friends. But I’m teaching six days week at the barn.
Q: What about working with horses do you love? Did your love of horses come from childhood?
A: I got involved with horses when I was 12 years old, and ever since I didn’t stop. ... The more you get involved with them, the more you like them, and the more you understand them. It’s a wonderful connection. It’s just like when you have a dog, or a pet. You just love them.
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