A note from Alexandra “Alix” Nafzger-Books

Horses are my life. I was born a horse fanatic. I truly believe that. 

My obsession with horses finally found an outlet at age six, when my mother, after begging for years, took me to the “meanest” horse trainer in town. What my mother didn’t realize at the time was the gift she bestowed upon me―one of the best trainers in the country from Meadowview Farm, Wendy Newby, a top trainer and coach originally from the east coast trained by George Morris himself. I took my first lesson on a retired hunter show pony named Sesame Street, “Slugger”. I still remember almost all the details of that fateful day that changed my life. 

I spent my formative years with Wendy and her assistants. I rode and trained ponies with her though blood, sweat, and sometimes tears, but mostly awe and excitement. I bought and sold project horses. I learned my foundation, basics, and how to ride difficult horses/ponies from her. I learned a massive amount without realizing it. I never knew how much I respected and appreciated her until I left her. 

I attended college at Lake Erie College and received a degree in Equine teacher/trainer along with a minor in German. There I learned how to ride less than ideal horses, bookwork, dressage showing, and how to teach my peers. This was also where I relieved the opportunity to study abroad.

I studied at the university in Germany and trained as a working student with international showjumper, Gerbert Essl, who showed for Austria in the World Cup. At his sales barn there, I developed the skills to incorporate my American style with the European one, mostly in Showjumping, training babies, and how to ride warmbloods better, but also invaluable dressage coaching. This molded my training and coaching style, while honing my skills on such a wide variety of top-quality horses. I will forever be grateful he and his tenacious staff pushed me to become independent, brave, and a problem solver in such a supportive, yet intense environment. I truly loved it by the end of my time there.

The next year, I completed an Eventing internship in Vermont, where I learned to swim in the fast-paced world of eventing through a series of wonderful coaches, clinicians, and opportunities competing on the east coast. I thrived under the pressure they put me under and came away with confidence and a whole new set of skills. 

Then I took a small detour and went to law school in New York, but didn’t finish it as horses called my soul back. 

I accepted a job in St. Louis, working for the first time as a head trainer for Town and Country Equestrian Center. There I imported horses from Germany, gave lessons, trained, and showed horses. I qualified myself and taught my students to national level competitions before leaving and opening my own business.

Marquis Farm was born and thrived in the barns I leased over the years. I imported more horses from Holland, Germany, and Denmark, then engrossed myself in breeding top horses with my husband. I began by breeding my stallion, Contratto (luck played a huge factor), and gained success from the start. 

I threw my energy into breeding, training, and producing a select number of top-quality young horses from the ground up. I passed these wonderful opportunities onto my phenomenal, loyal clients, who have been with me through thick and thin. I love them all and appreciate them more than I can say. Thank You for everything. 

Now, we have a permanent residence at 502 Stagecoach Run in Franklin country and I couldn’t be more excited about what the future will hold for all of our family, horses and people, at Marquis Farm.