When I was around 3 years old, my cousin, Lauren introduced me to horses. She made me fall in love with the sport at a young age. I'm 18 years old now and I'm proud to say I still am in love with the sport of horse riding and I'm incredibly passionate about what I do. I have always wanted to do something with the sport of horse riding when I grew up and now the time is finally here to put it all together and make it happen. I am who I am today because of horses. Horses taught me confidence, by learning how to manage an animal of that size. Horses taught me to be responsible, with having to come out to the barn everyday to take care of each horse. Horses taught me patience and that everything doesn't always go your way. Horses taught me to be humble and that it's OK if you don't win every single time. Horses taught me how to control my emotions because for every action I make, my horse has a reaction. Last, horses taught me how to be driven. Talent only takes you so far. Not only did horses teach me how to be driven in the horse world, but they also taught me how to be driven in the real world and that's why I'm determined to reach all my goals in life. I cannot think of one thing that could replace the amount of knowledge I have gained from having horses, they have made me who I am today.

I believe everybody should have a passion that defines them. For me, that passion is horses. Sharing your life with a horse can be such a rewarding experience, but at the same time it consumes your life. The amount of time and dedication that goes into horses is unbelievable. As of the moment, I have four horses. I spend an average of 45 minutes to an hour with each horse. They are groomed, ridden properly so they can grown on their skills, and fed. I always make sure each horse gets bonding time with me too, whether that's me simply sitting in their stall to do homework or taking them for a stroll around the property.

I am on the A circuit, which is the highest level of competition you can go with horses at my age. Equestrians travel the whole world to buy, sell and compete with horses worth more than some people's houses. I am fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to show horses at the level I do, but competing at this level means a lot of sacrifices, mostly from my family.

Anyone who owns a horse will probably tell you that the initial cost of a winning A circuit horse is mind blowing to most average people. People pay for horses that cost up to $500,000. These horses are being bought and sold from big name sale barns in high-level competition. They are often imported from Europe or elsewhere, with impressive bloodlines and have antecedents with international competition success. Breeders attach great importance to intentional and diligent selection of mares(female horses), as well as matching them with stallions(male horses) that fulfill precise demands of the A show circuit.

Once the horses are purchased and brought to the US, you have hundreds of other bills that go into keeping your horse healthy such as, regular vet appointments, teeth appointments, farrier appointments, therapy through massages and acupuncture, and fluid injections. That doesn't include the expansive of weekly lessons with a professional trainer, trailering your horse to horse shows, monthly board that includes, feeding your horse, turning your horse outside, caring for the horse while their owner is at work or school, A circuit horse show bills, supplements of medicine horses take, the clothes for the horses including, custom saddles from France, bridles, saddle pads, leg wraps, blankets. There is an abundant amount of little expansives that have to go into horses every single day that add up very quickly.

Good horseman often plays daily interactions with their horses. This achieves many goals: It builds a bond, allows both horse and rider to learn subtle cues that improve mutual understanding with with each other, provides a frequent check on the horse`s health, and forms new skills one step at a time. I spend every single day at the barn. I show almost every weekend and as soon as I come home from school I head straight to the barn. I absolutely adore horses and I am extremely passionate about what I do. So, it does not bother me that I am missing school activities like football games or basketball games, because there is no other place I would rather be than at the barn.

If you are not absolutely in love with the sport of horse riding, you will fail. The time, money and dedication is not something that can be wasted everyday. You are in charge of your horses and they depend on, just like your child would. Passion plays a huge role in the equestrian world. The quote, “Riding is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion!” Is the truest statement in the horse world.