Who I Am

Foundation

I began taking lessons at a small barn where the manager was a Pony Club judge. She taught me about horsemanship and would give me dressage lessons while another trainer gave me beginner/hunter lessons. Even though I was 6 years old, she wouldn’t help me tack up. She instructed me through every step as I groomed my lesson horse, Magic, myself. I stood on a stool and could barely place the saddle pad and saddle on his back. Those moments of quiet time with my horse always meant as much to me as actually riding. My very first horse show was a barn show with Magic. I loved him so much, and when we won a class, the only prize that caught my eye was treats for him. To this day, I still pick out the treats. My next show was a dressage show on my other lesson horse named April. I will never forget her and how much I enjoyed that time. I found these experiences important for learning how to be connected to my horse, and they helped me achieve Pony Club certification.

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What I learned in those first years was very important in getting me started. When I rode with Celine Myers for 5 years, I became more involved with horse care. She encouraged us to learn as much as we could, and I spent hours each day working with her and caring for our horses. That time was invaluable. I still try to learn as much as I can from our vets and trainers, and I take care of my two retired horses that live with us at home. I lunge them, look if they have good conformation or show signs of lameness, take care of any wounds they may get in pasture time, and help when they need to be checked on by a vet.