From the first time I set my eyes on a horse, I knew that riding was all I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I grew up in Virginia begging to watch my older sister have riding lessons so that I could one day ride like her. In the beginning I was given Panda, a 10.2 hand Shetland on my 6th birthday. After outgrowing her, I was given Cisco, a BLM Mustang. My parents, both not coming from horse backgrounds, didn’t understand at that time how unsafe it was to give an 8 year old a “wild” mustang, but I can’t thank them enough for it. Cisco helped get me into what would become a huge aspect of my riding, Pony Club.
When I became old enough to start rating up in Pony Club I made up one of my first of many goals in riding. I wanted to get each of my ratings as soon as I was old enough to do so. This would mean that I would graduate from Pony Club at age 17. I have stuck to this goal never losing sight of it. April 2009 I passed my B rating, in August of 2011 I passed my HA, and in 2012 I passed my A. Through USPC I have been able to ride many horses which has helped me expand my riding abilities. Pony Club also helped introduce me into the sport of Three-Day Eventing.
I competed in my first Beginner Novice Event aboard Cisco when I was 10, surprisingly coming home with a blue ribbon. When my skills surpassed Cisco’s abilities, we went to find a new horse. We ended up in Louisiana at the race track. That’s where we found Crystal, a 15.2 hand Thoroughbred. The moment I saw her I knew she was the one. We brought her home and worked on gymnastics for 9 months before doing anything else. In 2006 Crystal and I competed in our first event. In 2007 we went to USPC Championships where I was eliminated for not dropping my whip before my dressage test. I would have been 1st in my division and 2nd out of a field of 150 horses. Although it was sad, I learned that you have ups and downs, and it is not how you do, its how much fun you have! That fall I moved up to Training. We came back spring 2008 where she and I had our first ever win! Sadly we learned that she had hyper extended her suspensery a week later. We had to put our plans on hold. Crystal began competing again spring 2009. We made the move up to Prelim in May of 2009 where we finished 4th out of 25. Crystal and I went on to finish the fall season on a great note, already being half way qualified for NAJYRC 2010. In 2010 we competed at NAJYRC. We were in the top 15 after dressage and ran double clear around the CCI* XC. I want to keep climbing the levels and setting new goals.
In the summer of 2011, I was on the gold medal NAJYRC CCI* team, finished in the top 10 individually, and I passed my 'HA' USPC rating only 3 weeks after, at the youngest age possible, 16.
In May of 2012, I received my A rating from USPC, something that only 2% of membership achieves. Team Clear also made a huge purchase earlier in 2012. We bought a great young prospect, Clear Approval or "Brownie". We are hoping that he will be a great International horse!
Goal for 2013
- Bromont International CCI** and CIC***
- NAJYRC CCI**
Goals for 2012:
- Red Hills International CIC**: Completed; 11th; 5th place Jr.
- Take/Pass USPC 'A' Rating: Completed; First USPC A rating of 2012
Goals for 2011:
-Poplar Place CIC*: Completed, 7th place; 4th place jr.
-Greenwood CIC*: Completed, 3rd place
-NAJYRC 2011 CCI* team for Area V: Completed, Team Gold, Individual Top 10
-Take/Pass 'HA' USPC Rating: Completed
-Move up to Intermediate 2011: Completed, 7th place
I hope that I will have the opportunity to ride at the 4**** level, compete in the Olympics, open a barn that I can spread my knowledge through, and live doing what I love! I want my dreams become reality and for that to happen I need the knowledge of others. Growing up, I rode with two trainers, Mike Huber, and Mary D’Arcy. Each has helped me grow and become a better rider. I want to thank them along with Lynne Partridge, and Stacie Goodson because both of them have helped me become a better equestrian. I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store!
