I'm proud this week to feature four students who have a passion for working with horses. In the comments of Chelsea, Abby, Trenton, and Ciara you will find four stories of commitment, personal growth, achievement, and aspirations that result from their dedication to equestrian sports. Enjoy!
Chelsea Gorius
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| Chelsea Gorius |
A: I have been riding horses since I was seven; however, I took a few years off around the age of 10. I have always loved horses since I was little, any mention of a horse when I was younger would get me so excited. After not riding for a while my mother surprised by signing me up for lessons again in the summer of 2010. Since then I just haven't been able to stop. I bought my first horse in 2011 and showed local and state shows for awhile. For the next year or so I really got into showing. I show on the AQHA circuit which is the most popular single breed circuit in the world. In the fall of 2012, I made the decision to switch to a barn in Harwinton, Connecticut. At Powder Brook Farm I have learned so much from my trainers. During 2013 I traveled to different states with my new horse to get into the MUCH larger shows. This past year I again had a new horse and went to many shows in many states throughout the year. Showing the all-around category I typically show six different kinds of classes between Western and English at horse shows. My riding has improved drastically since I went to PBF and I have been lucky enough to have won many all around titles at many shows. In July I was named Highpoint Novice Youth at the Big A show in Conyers, Georgia and I won a saddle for the award. In October I went to the All American Quarter Horse Congress, the largest single breed horse show in the world. At the show I received multiple top ten awards and I finished Reserve Congress Champion in my Novice Equitation class out of 120 competitors. Riding at this level is so rewarding but also hard. Horse shows typically involve me getting up at 5 or earlier and not going to bed until 11, only to do it all again the next day. I spend every weekend at the barn in Connecticut just practicing and training in order to get better. Even though it is hard I love showing more than anything and I know I wouldn't be who I am now without the experiences I have gotten through showing.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your experiences working with horses?
A: The most rewarding part is knowing that after all of the blood, sweat, and tears (literally) that it all paid off. Knowing that you were able to work with such an animal towards a goal. Getting your horse to go over a pole, set up properly, or even to go with proper cadence is reward enough. Horses are a pain the butt to work with honestly, but for me it's the challenge they give that makes everything worth it in the end. As sappy as it may sound there truly is no bond like the one between a girl and her horse.
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| Abby Rapiejko |
A: I began working with horses when I was five years old. I attended a
pony camp during the summer until I found my 4-H club, the Woodville
Trailbusters 4-H Horse Club. Currently, I ride my horse, Chief, in hunter
classes (including flats and jumping) and gymkhana at 4-H shows at both the local
and state level. I have been the captain of my 4-H club's performing
drill team for the past two years. I am on a national horsebowl team that
just competed in Louisville, Kentucky. Horsebowl is a horse
knowledge competition. Questions are read and the first person to buzz in
correctly gains points (and loses points if incorrectly).
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your experiences working with horses?
A: One of the most rewarding parts of working with horses is helping young
children learn how to ride. I have volunteered at a horse camp at my
barn, and I love seeing the campers progress in their knowledge of caring for
horses, riding, and driving. It is very rewarding to perform in drill
team in front of the public at the Middlesex County Fair. Drill team is a
chorographed pattern of paired horses set to music with costumes. Trenton Ryder
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| Trenton Ryder |
A: I discovered my passion for horses when my family went
on a group trail ride at a local stable just for the fun of it. I loved it so
much that I asked my mom to take me back for weekly lessons. Since then, I have
worked at many stables and with many horses. That exposure has enabled me to
learn a wide range of horse disciplines and training techniques. I currently
work and ride for an Olympic level rider and trainer at her private farm in
Uxbridge, MA. She specializes in the discipline of eventing. This style of
riding consists of three disciplines over a span of three days; dressage, cross
country, and show jumping. I work for her and her husband and ride her horse
Wally (the horse in the picture). He is a dream! Wally and I have an
unexplainable connection. I love him so much and am so grateful for the
blessings God has given me.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your experiences working with horses?
A: The most rewarding part of my experiences with horses is
the joy I receive from simply being allowed pursue my dreams and passions with
horses. I have never had the parents that give me everything to my heart's
content. If I wanted it bad enough, I had to work to get it. That was no
different with horses. I wanted to work for the trainer I do now for along
time. It was up to me to set and build that relationship that I have with her
and her husband; and believe me, it took a long time to get to the place that I
am now. All in all, I did it, and that allows me to have the maximum amount of
enjoyment possible. I also look forward to using horses in the future as a
healing tool for abused and neglected children and families. I can't wait for
the day where my ranch will enable thousands of children to feel and experience
the joy I feel form being around and riding horses, the joy that i feel when I
jump a four foot fence, the joy I feel from pursuing my dreams. Ciara Larence
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| Ciara Larence |
A: I became interested in working with horses when I got a horseback ride for my birthday. It started out as a one time until I got horseback riding lessons for a Christmas gift. Ever since that gift I have been riding horses consistently for about six years now. I recently went on a beach ride with my horse, which had been a huge experience for me because I have always wanted to do it. I am also currently in a drill team of a total of six horses, and that has given me a lot of new experiences. I am the youngest rider of the group and being able to work with adult riders have taught me a variety of new things. Horses are amazing creatures to work with and I have learned so much about myself and about them from working around horses.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your experiences working with horses?
A: The most rewarding part of my experiences working with horses is the connection that I have made with the horses. Since each horse has their own quirks and personality traits, it's really rewarding to be able to get to know the horses. They have made me more aware of myself because they are perceptive of things that we, as humans, don't even notice ourselves. I think this is my most rewarding part because it has allowed me to become who I am and I know they will always be there for me.
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