Mirka Crew - Trainer/Instructor/Clinician/Judge
Mirka Crew comes originally from the Czech Republic and is now a dual citizen of the Czech Republic and the USA, residing in Richland, Georgia. She has spent 20 years training horses for the public, teaching clinics, judging competitions and competing in western disciplines; Stock-Horse/Versatility, Western Dressage, and the discipline of liberty and bridleless riding. Mirka is a 7x World Champion, has placed TOP 5 in several Extreme Mustang Makeovers, Mustang Magic events and ILHA Invitational Freestyle performances. She seeks lightness in responsiveness, connection and harmony with each horse. Over the years, through influence of many great human and equine mentors, Mirka has discovered that collection can be achieved even at liberty and bridle-less, she calls this approach Posture Focused Training™. Mirka believes that the sky is NOT the limit and her passion is helping her students establish their unstoppable mindset. She believes that there is only one true limit, the one we place upon ourselves.
POSTURE FOCUSED TRAINING;
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Posture Focused Training™ is Mirka's signature phrase for her approach to horse training which encourages lateral and vertical balance resulting in the horse's better self-carriage. The horse is taught and motivated in each session, on the ground and under saddle/bareback, to find better balance and eventually collection. This is achieved through a series of exercises. The horse is eventually reminded to maintain better posture, instead of holding her/him in it. The horse learns and understands this concept mentally, rather than the rider physically micromanaging the horse's body into this posture.
THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT
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Over the years, Mirka has also come to believe that the sky is NOT the limit. She is helping her students adopt this concept which helps create an unstoppable mindset. She believes that there is only one true limit, the one we place upon ourselves. The most amazing discoveries which she has made started happening when she quit listening not only to other people's doubts about what was possible, but mainly she quit listening to her own self-doubts. She now focuses on the belief that if she puts her mind to something, it is possible to achieve. This concept has taken her horsemanship to higher levels than she ever imagined before and not just her horsemanship, but all other aspects of her life as well. She encourages others to first believe it, then create a massive plan towards achieving it, making it a priority (scheduling it!) and then seeing themselves making their dreams become a reality.
EVENTS and RANCH MANAGER, HOST, JUDGE
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Mirka has also managed and hosted several equestrian competitions over the years, WOHA, SESHA/VRH-AQHA, AOCA, Alabama Wild Mustang TIP Challenges and Jackpot Obstacle Races and has become an ILHA judge.
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2020 - President of the Southeast Stock Horse Association
2021 - Secretary of the Southeast Stock Horse Association
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 - International Liberty Horse Association Judge
2021 - Founder and Manager of the Southeast Liberty Horse Club
2019 - 2022 Manager of the Southern Cross Ranch
2023 - TN Extreme Mustang Makeover Youth Judge
SHOW ACHIEVEMENTS and PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
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7 x World Champion:
2007 ABRA Working Cow Horse Open Division World Champion
2020 WDAA Basic Level Open Division World Champion
2023 WDAA World Show 5x World Champion, Open Overall High Score, Freestyle High Score, High Score Breed Award
Year-End Open Champion:
2017 Southeast Stock Horse Open Ranch Riding Champion
2017 Southeast Stock Horse Open Ranch Trail Champion
2017 Southeastern Equestrian Association Open Level 2 Western Dressage Champion
2018 FHC All Breed Western Dressage Grand Champion
High Point Breed Award
2020 WDAA World Championship Mustang Breed High Score Award
2021 WDAA Online International Challenge HIGH POINT Gypsy Vanner Breed Award
2023 WDAA World Show HIGH POINT Gypsy Vanner Breed Award
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Veteran Extreme Mustang Makeover and Mustang Magic Competitor
2016 TOP 5 LA EMM (5th place)
2017 TOP 5 Mustang Magic (4th place)
2019 TOP 3 Florida EMM (3rd place)
2022 TOP 3 Florida EMM (3rd place, FAN FAVORITE, Reserve Champion Horsemanship Award, Maneuvers Class Champion)
2022 TOP 5 Mustang Magic Celebrity (4th place) as a guest in Marsha Sapp's Freestyle
2023 TOP 5 Mustang Magic Celebrity Freestyle (5th place)
2024 TOP 5 Mustang Champions Freestyle (Fort Worth, TX)
2024 TOP 6 MHF Spectacular Celebrity Freestyle (Franklin, TN)
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Veteran International Liberty Horse Association Competitor
2022 TOP 3 ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Road to the Horse
2022 RESERVE CHAMPION ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Liberty Festival
2023 TOP 3 ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Liberty Festival
2024 TOP 3 ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Liberty Festival
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CHECK OUT ALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN DETAIL BELOW THE PHOTOS:
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2007 ABRA World Champion Working Cow Horse (PR Smokin Tom Cat)
2007 ABRA Reserve World Champion Working Cow Horse (PR Smokin Tom Cat)
2007 ABRA Reserve World Champion Reining (PR Smokin Tom Cat)
2009 Parelli Lakeland Celebration Level 6 spotlight award by Pat Parelli (Bet on Magic/ Magie)
2011 Parelli Rendezvous Level 4 spotlight award (Sarah)
2014 American Horsewoman's Challenge Top 5 in Cowboy Dressage (Mustang Gemma)
2014 American Horsewoman's Challenge Top 10 at Liberty (Mustang Gemma)
2016 LA Extreme Mustang Makeover TOP 5 (Mustang Zen)
2017 Mustang Magic TOP 5 (4th place) (Mustang Nike)
2017 Southeast Stock Horse Open Ranch Riding Champion (QH Rhebok)
2017 Southeast Stock Horse Open Ranch Trail Champion (QH Rhebok)
2017 Southeastern Equestrian Association Open Level 2 Western Dressage Champion (Mustang Gemma)
2018 FHC All Breed Western Dressage Grand Champion (Lillie)
2018 FHC Freestyle (Lillie)
2018 FHC Ground Poles Champion (Lillie)
2018 FHC Ranch Riding Champion (Lillie)
2019 Florida Extreme Mustang Makeover TOP 5 (3rd place) (Mustang Marvel)
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2019 ILHA Liberty Championship
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Pro Level 1 Advanced Champion (Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
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Pro Level 3 Reserve Champion (Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
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Combined Intermediate Champion (Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
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Bareback Bridleless Intermediate Co-Reserve Champion (Hearts Call to Serve/Cali)
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Obstacles Liberty Intermediate Reserve Champion (Hearts Call to Serve/Cali)
2020 ILHA Virtual Liberty Competition (May)
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Level 1 Intermediate Champion (Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
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Combined Novice Champion(Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
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Level 1 Advanced Reserve Champion (Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
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Combined Intermediate Champion (Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
2020 ILHA Virtual Liberty Competition (June)
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Bareback Bridleless Novice Champion (Pal)
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Bareback Bridleless Intermediate Champion (Pal)
2020 ILHA Virtual Liberty Competition (July-Aug)
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Freestyle Open Champion (Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
2020 ILHA Virtual Liberty Competition (September)
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Level 2 Novice Champion (Mercy Reigns)
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Bareback Bridleless Champion (Mercy Reigns)
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Freestyle Open Champion (Hearts Call to Serve/Cali)
2020 ILHA Virtual Liberty CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
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Freestyle 8th place (Hearts Call to Serve/Cali)
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Obstacles Intermediate Reserve Champion (Hearts Call to Serve/Cali)
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Combined Novice Reserve Champion (Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
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Obstacles Advanced 3rd place (Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
2020 Mustang Heritage Foundation Virtual Show - September
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Walk-Trot-Lope OVERALL Champion (Mustang Gemma)
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Walk-Trot-Lope Freestyle Champion (Mustang Gemma)
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Walk-Trot-Lope Trail 2nd (Mustang Gemma)
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Walk-Trot-Lope Pattern 4th (Mustang Gemma)
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Walk-Trot-Lope OVERALL 3rd (Mustang Marvel)
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Walk-Trot-Lope Pattern Champion (Mustang Marvel)
2020 SCR WDAA recognized show #20-108 (Mustang Gemma)
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Basic Test 1 - 74.17% Class WINNER
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High Point Grand Champion
2020 LSS WDAA recognized show #20-346
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Introductory Test 4 - 77.14% Class Winner (Mustang Gemma)
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Basic Test 1 - 72.71% Class Winner (Mustang Gemma)
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Basic Test 4 - 77.2% Class Winner & PERSONAL BEST SCORE (Mustang Gemma)
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Introductory Test 1 - 76.82% Class Winner (Charlotte)
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Introductory Test 3 - 83.5% Class Winner and the Show's Western High Point & OVERALL PERSONAL BEST SCORE to this date.
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2020 WDAA Online World Show (Mustang Gemma)
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Champion Basic Level Test 3 World Champion the Open Division (with about 85 entries) - 82.750% a PERSONAL BEST SCORE
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3rd in Basic Test 1 Open Division with a high score of 81.456%,
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Mustang Breed High Score Award
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Basic Level Open Division Overall World Champion a score of 82.104%
2020 ILHA Virtual Liberty Competition (March)
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Pro Liberty Novice Champions (Crickette)
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Pro Bridleless Distinguished Champions (Stormy)
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Pro Liberty Team Novice Champions (Cali and Crickette)
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Pro Combined Intermediate Champions (Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth)
2020 ILHA Virtual Liberty Competition April
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Freestyle Champion (Charlotte)
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Advanced Obstacles Champion (Charlotte)
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Liberty Horse Intermediate Champion (Charlotte)
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Ridden and a Liberty Horse Reserve Champion (Stormy and Charlotte)
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WDAA Online International Challenge May 2021​​
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HIGH POINT Gypsy Vanner Breed Award with a score of 75.000% (Charlotte)
2021 WDAA Online International Challenge May (Mustang Gemma)
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​Level 2 Open Division TOP 10
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Level 1 Open Division TOP 10
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Level 2 Test 1 RESERVE CHAMPION
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Level 2 Test 3 5th place
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Level 1 Test 3 4th place
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Level 1 Test 1 9th place
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Basic Level Freestyle RESERVE CHAMPION (QH Stormy)
2022 Mustang Magic Celebrity Invitational Freestyle (Mustang Marvel)
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4th PLACE as a guest in Marsha Sapp’s Freestyle
2022 ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Road to the Horse (Mustang Marvel)
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3rd PLACE with Marsha Sapp
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2022 RTTH Invitational Horsemanship Freestyle at the Road to the Horse (Marvel)
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6th PLACE with Marsha Sapp
2022 Florida Extreme Mustang Makeover (Mustang Right on Trac)
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3rd PLACE FL EMM
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FAN FAVORITE
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RESERVE CHAMPION Horsemanship Award - preliminary classes combined
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1st place Maneuvers preliminary class FL EMM
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2nd place Conditioning and Showmanship preliminary class FL EMM
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3rd place Trail preliminary class
2022 ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Liberty Festival ​​(Mustang Marvel)
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RESERVE CHAMPION Overall
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RESERVE CHAMPION in the Compulsories
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5th for the Freestyle
2023 Mustang Magic Celebrity TOP 5 (Mustangs Right on Trac and Nike)
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2023 TOP 3 ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Liberty Festival
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Mustang Shelby - CHAMPION ProLead Line Novice 112.001
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Mustang Shelby - CHAMPION ProTraining Level @ Shoulder Intermediate 78.00
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Mustang Shelby - CHAMPION ProTraining Level @ Shoulder Novice 66.50
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Mustang Shelby- CHAMPION ProTraining Level Liberty Intermediate 90.00
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Mustang Shelby - RESERVE CHAMPION Pro Obstacles Novice 72.00
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Mustang Marvel - CHAMPION ProBareback & Bridleless Advanced 138.50
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Mustangs Marvel and Trac - CHAMPIONS ProLiberty Team Intermediate 104.50
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Mustangs Marvel and Trac - RESERVE CHAMPION Open Freestyle Compulsory 108.00-
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2024 Mustang Champions Freestyle (Ft.Worth, TX) TOP 5 with Mustangs Marvel and Trac
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2024 Mustang Heritage Foundation Spectacular Open Show and Celebrity Freestyle
​Mustang Marvel
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CHAMPION W/T/C Ranch Riding (25 entries)
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CHAMPION Maneuvers Under Saddle W/T/C (17 entries)
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CHAMPION Western Dressage Basic Test 2 73.40%
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CHAMPION Western Dressage Level 1 Test 1
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6th Celebrity Freestyle (Marvel, Trac, Nike and mini Rhebok)
Mustang Right on Trac
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CHAMPION Liberty Intermediate
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RESERVE CHAMPION Liberty Novice
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CHAMPION Adult In-Hand Trail
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2024 TOP 3 ILHA Invitational Freestyle at the Liberty Festival - Compulsories Champion 71.54%, Freestyle 72.33%, Overall 71.94%
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2024 ILHA In-Person Championship
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Mustangs Marvel and Trac - CHAMPION Liberty from a Ridden Horse Intermediate 66.33%
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Mustangs Marvel and Trac - CHAMPION Liberty from a Ridden Horse Novice 73.21%
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Mustangs Marvel and Trac - CHAMPION Liberty Teams Distinguished 63.23%
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Mustang Marvel - CHAMPION Advanced Bridledless 71%
Thank you to all horse owners (owners at the time of the shows):
PR Smokin Tom Cat – Jimmy Grantham
Mystic Meadow’s Dancer/Elizabeth, Lillie and Charlotte – Laura Wallace
Hearts Call to Serve/Cali and Mystic Meadows Dream Catcher/Crickette - Karen M. Fitzgerald
Pal and Mercy Reigns – Bob Haynes
Nike - Kelly Stewart
Shelby - Antoinette DeNucci
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