The Risks Are Worth the Rewards
From Rural Dreams to Equestrian Success: How I Overcame Every Obstacle to Achieve My Goals
If you were anything like millions of other little girls who didn’t get a head start in life by being born into what they love—or into the money to pursue such things—you were a lot like me. Hearing everyone in your life tell you to “chase your dreams” can be intimidating when it feels like you have more obstacles to overcome than the people around you. Jumping these hurdles can be terrifying. What if you fail? What if you have to restart? What if it feels impossible? I’m here to tell you that you can achieve your goals, even with the odds stacked against you.
As a little girl born in the rural town of Henderson, Kentucky, money wasn’t easy for my family. While my parents were both hard workers and did what they could to keep my passion for horses alive, it was still a struggle for us to financially pursue anything of the sort. We never owned land, didn’t have the money to buy or board a horse, and lived in what felt like the middle of nowhere. My childhood consisted of big dreams of riding and training horses as an adult, with no reasonable way to get started. In the beginning, it was just me, my toy horses, and a dream.
Work Toward Your Goals
I was 12 years old when I discovered that it was possible to work at certain barns in exchange for riding lessons. Being a girl in school at that age was hard—classes were getting busier and bullies were getting braver. If you were a “horse girl” in school, you know how that goes. However, I didn’t let anything stop me from putting in the work to chase my dreams. Since we couldn’t afford both lessons and the gas it took to drive a town or more over to these farms, we chose the closest one, and I got started. Having taken a few riding lessons there previously, they were happy to have an extra set of hands around. A few days a week after school and on weekends, my hands were dirty, and the work was getting done.
The trainer at this farm was incredibly intelligent when it came to training horses and teaching people to ride. After speaking with her about my goals and dreams, she wasted no time taking me under her wing and helping me grow. I was constantly on the internet, watching YouTube videos and reading about riding and training techniques, absorbing as much knowledge as I could. When my trainer realized how dedicated I was, she began teaching me hands-on. By the time I was old enough to drive, I had helped get two horses started under saddle and was becoming an excellent rider. A few years later, I trained a horse on my own for the first time and finally had a personal horse to ride.
Take the Risks
When I was in high school, I focused heavily on my grades and my riding. I had a new goal: get accepted into Midway University’s Equine Program and make the equestrian riding team. Most of my days were filled with applying for scholarships, staying fit, and working hard to remain in top academic and physical shape. At this time in my life, all of my family lived as close together as country living allows, and none of them were college students or graduates yet. If I were accepted into my dream school, I would be the first to leave the rest of the family behind.
Although it was only a few hours away, moving was a big adjustment. Fresh out of high school, I left all of my friends and family to move onto campus. I didn’t know anyone, had no family nearby, no job, only a little bit of money, and a good attitude. I was accepted onto the riding team, and the road to my dreams was being paved right before my eyes.
College isn’t easy. Moving away from friends and family isn’t easy. I failed my first semester, overwhelmed by the struggles and changes brought on by a nearly decade-long battle with a diagnosed depressive disorder. Everything felt heavy. I felt like I failed more than I succeeded, and I stopped enjoying anything horse-related for months. However, I persisted. Every time I was knocked down, I stood up, brushed myself off, and got back to work.
My dedication to overcoming everything saved me. Today, I own my dream horse, whom I trained entirely on my own. I own a business dedicated to rehabilitating injured sport horses, and I work for an amazing equine hospital in one of the Horse Capitals of the World.
Failing is part of it. Being overwhelmed is part of it. Stress and exhaustion are part of it, too.
Do it anyway.
Do it scared.
Do it tired.
Do it broke.
Do it anyway.
