I have been riding since I was basically 2 years old. My first show was with OVS around 4th grade, I’m guessing. It was at Canada Larga on Jackie. She bucked me off like 2 times before it was my turn. I went into the ring nervous I would forget my course, and I almost did. In the end I completed it successfully. After the next few people took their turns the results were decided… I scoured 4th. I of course would have prefered a higher score but I was still pretty happy with that. Last year I went to Nationals for IEA in North Carolina. I flew all the way there for one ride. I placed 4th. I was very happy with that because I never even thought I would make it to regionals. When I was riding at regionals in Oregon I wasn’t even nervous because I never thought I would make it, which I think is why I ended up qualifying. Riding has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember and I’m so grateful I’ve gotten the opportunity to do this.

photo credit – https://www.britannica.com/animal/horse