After years of wondering about what the purpose of my life is, I decided to look at what I spend my time the most on: horses. I've been riding since elementary school, and although it started as a hobby, it quickly turned into something I spend a majority of my time doing and thinking about. Although I have been riding for a long time, I have only been able to take the sport seriously once I moved from the U.S. to Bulgaria where it is more affordable for my family to provide me with a lease horse , so I can practice up to six days a week. However, I have been fortunate enough to pick up extensive experience from all over the world even with limited finances. From riding at my first A - rated horse show in Commonwealth, Virginia to riding in Moscow at my first 1.00m class with a horse I had been only riding for a week to training with to helping Holger Hetzel, in Goch this past summer. With the support that my family gives me, my savings and hard work I have been able to slowly yet surely progress (I am currently competing at the 1.10m level). I believe that the future of athletes in this sport will not be limited to those with good financing, which is why I am appreciative of programs like the Longines World Equestrian Academy because they consider equestrians who do not have enough financing but are willing to work hard.

I never take a day around horses for granted because of where I have come from. Although I have been able to ride for over eight years, for a large portion of that time I have been limited to riding only once a week on lesson horses. Additionally, the drive to the barn and back was always long, so I was fortunate to have parents supportive enough to allow me to drive me there and back. I am grateful to be able to spend more time on the horse and at the barn because although my riding time may be relatively limited, the learning continues even outside of the tack. When cooperating with Hetzel, I carefully hovered over the organization of a top barn in Germany. It was a life-changing experience, because I saw just how much could be accomplished in a day with a great team and careful structure. The tack and feed room were immaculate because everyone knew exactly where everything was supposed to go. Over in Goch, I learned the little trick of using a wet towel to quickly make the horse shine after a full grooming routine. In terms of riding, Hetzel emphasized the usage of the crest release over fences instead of giving all the way every time, which was a bit different than what I was used to. He was all about the basics, but kept in mind tricky questions that may be asked at competitions, making riders practice them over small jumps first. Over quarantine, I have developed a habitual, daily routine of cleaning the tack, mucking the stall and making sure the horse I have ridden is comfortable and clean prior to leaving the barn. I know that in order to progress, I must be knowledgeable about how I should care for my partner. Outside of the barn, I have taken my time to expand my knowledge about horse care and riding by reading articles and watching videos of professionals. I love to revisit the basics because I often find that many problems in riding and even equine care stem from misunderstanding of the basics. For instance, over using the inside rein can cause the horse to lose his/her balance, this is of course a problem which can be resolved through flatwork.

Not only have I been fortunate enough to learn more thanks to being able to ride more regularly, but I have also been able to educate myself on equine fitness. Recently, I looked into interval training for horses, which is commonly used in eventining. This type of training helps to increase the horse’s endurance. After doing my own research and talking with my trainer, I developed a training plan for the horse I am currently riding. The sessions consist of walk, trot and three intervals of canter separated by breaks, each interval increases by a minute after about two weeks. Although I am new to this type of training, I have noticed that I have a stronger horse underneath me, but I have been analyzing my riding and noticed that I still have much to improve in terms of myself. For instance, I tend to ride in a much more forward seat, not allowing the horse to fully engage their hind which causes a weak approach to jumps because there is a lack of support from my side. I have also been lucky to benefit from resources provided by JohnMaddenSales on YouTube over quarantine. Their team shared their training sessions and horse care routines which excited me as Beezie Madden is one of the riders that I look up to. One of the details that I have learned through their videos is that leather soap should not be sudsy when cleaning!

Although I am far from the best rider, I will do anything to improve in every part of this sport. I am accepting to change and have been put through a variety of different riding styles. From the American forward seat system to the driving seat style found in most of Europe I have been able to adjust and incorporate knowledge from everywhere. I have also expanded my knowledge into different disciplines such as Western and dressage out of pure curiosity and belief that knowledge from every discipline is useful. When given the opportunity to be around horses or to connect the equestrian world to school subjects for example, I will take it because that is what I am truly passionate about. I have been blessed with a vast amount of opportunities so far thanks to my parents and trainers, but I know that there is only so much they can give me. I continue to expand my knowledge everyday through experiences and the internet, so to be given the opportunity to work with some of the best in the sport and share the experience with international riders would truly be unforgettable.