The Equestrian Blog - Welcome to the Horse World!

I have been riding horses since I was eight. I couldn't imagine a life without horses. It has taught me many of life's great lessons (responsibility, commitment, self-confidence, time management etc.) and has given me a life long passion.

Of course, growing up when all of my friends were at sleepovers (or out late when we were in high school), I had to miss out because I had a riding lesson early the next morning or a horse show to leave for in the early pre-dawn hours. When I became serious about riding around 11, I was riding a few times a week. I would go to school, head right to the barn when school ended, came home around eight, had dinner and worked until late on homework. But I would not trade it for anything. I honestly believe my transition into adulthood was made easier because of  the preparation my passion had given me. 

The people I have met, remain my friends until this day. The female instructors I was blessed to have (Ramie, Noreen, Holly, Kim and Phyllis) were (and are) my role models. It is hard to put into words what they taught me (and not just while in the saddle). Now being a riding instructor myself, I remember and now see how patient, giving, and knowledgeable among many other things they were with me. 

This major part of my life began with a simple request from a girl who I began carpooling to elementary school with: "Do you want to go take a riding lesson with me?" She had been taking lessons before she moved from Millis to Roslindale and wanted to still continue to take them. Little did I know how being involved with horses would change my life. My family has been very supportive of my love of this sport. Not only is it demanding monetarily but also of time. Before I could drive, my mother would spend at least 5 hours of her day carting me to my lesson, not to mention waking up in those early hours to take me to a horse show and not getting home 12 or more hours later. I am just so lucky to have their encouragement. 

Now, I have been able to translate this hobby and passion into a career. I have been a riding instructor for just over a year now and love every minute of it. This past September, I was given the opportunity to work at a horse show that I have attended since I was little.

While there I was introduced to the profession of equestrian public relations. Who knew that my minor in college could combine with something I had done practically my whole life! From that opportunity has now sprung many others. I was able to go "shadow" a woman who owns her own equestrian PR company in Florida for a few weeks in March. Every winter all the east coast riders flock to West Palm Beach, Florida (specifically Wellington) during the months of January and April in order to keep competing when the weather becomes unfavorable in their area.

From that "shadow" I was hired to work for her this summer at a local horse show. Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility in Halifax, MA hosted their Spring Festival horse show May 18-22 and will be hosting their Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic June 22-26 as well as the Summer Showcase August 24-28. Over the five days of competition are many exciting classes such as the $10,000 Hunter Derby on June 24 and the $25,000 Grand Prix on June 25. The August show in addition to those classes featured in the June show also includes the $25,000 New England Hunter Derby Finals. 

Future blog entries will talk about these horse shows as well as other horse related adventures. I hope I am able to generate excitement for this wonderful sport... stay tuned!