The Don & Ron Show – Don Manuello & Ron McMillian

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68 – July/August, 2017

By Erica Greathouse

“If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
– Marc Anthony

This quote, so brilliantly stated by Marc Anthony describes people who are genuinely passionate about their work. It goes without saying that a person’s passion for their job and a job well done go hand in hand. For Don Manuello and Ron McMillian, two of the most iconic ring stewards in the industry, this quote accurately describes their love for their chosen profession and perhaps explains why they remain dedicated to being some of the top ring stewards in the industry year after year.

The Early Years

Although it’s hard to imagine Don and Ron as anything other than the finest ring stewards in the industry, both Manuello and McMillian had other careers prior to dedicating their lives to keeping order at the horse show. However, they’ve both always had a love for people, horses, and the passion to succeed.

Ron grew up in Oklahoma. Many of his early memories include horses and showing. He spent his early professional life working for a public service electric company for 35 years before he retired to spend more time being around horses and doing what he loves. “I still showed horses while I worked. But, when I retired, I was able to devote a lot more time to being around them and getting more involved in the industry,” he says. Ron has always had horses in his life, mostly Halter and Western Pleasure horses, and did his share of competing on a national level. “I had an AQHA Champion stud, and I’ve won multiple World and Reserve World Championships. Also, I was very involved with my local AQHA clubs.” He served as president of the Ozark Quarter Horse Association and acquired ring steward experience at some of their local shows on a volunteer basis. Ron also served on the board of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association for 18 years and was a volunteer ring steward for many of their shows. “When the AQHYA World Show was in Tulsa, there was a group of us who volunteered our time to put on the whole show, from ring stewards and gate help, to people volunteering to cook,” he says. McMillian’s exemplary work earned him an invitation to ring steward at the AQHA Open/Amateur World Show for the first time in 1986. “It was such an honor to get asked to ring steward for the Open/Amateur World Show. I loved every minute of that experience,” he says.

Click here to read the complete article
68 – July/August, 2017