Moving farms is never easy. Even though I knew it was best for me, it felt like the world was ending in the moment. I was going in head-first to a new place, with all new people and I had no idea if we could even keep up. I was so worried about people liking me and not being looked at differently when I decided to make a switch that was best for my horse and I. It sounds crazy when I look back, but at the time I couldn’t even talk about switching without getting extremely emotional. I was so conflicted and there’s one sentence that snapped me out of it.

My mom was on the phone with the trainer I had only dreamed of riding with, and I had no idea if she even had a stall or availability. I walked in after they spoke for a bit and my mom was telling her how difficult it’s seemed for me to make this choice confidently and she said,

“Change is hard, but change is good”.

That moment was pivotal in my journey as a rider and as a person. It was the first time I experienced being so afraid but so sure about something that I just knew it was the right decision. I had my first lesson at Sleepy Oaks a week later. I took a few lessons before I moved Gaspar, but it was immediately a perfect fit. I fell in love with the farm as soon as I drove up and I genuinely remember thinking to myself, I would be so lucky to be here. Gaspar would be so lucky to be here. I still feel the same way today.

I have always been supported in my life by my parents, grandparents, brother, friends, etc. but what I learned quickly at Sleepy Oaks was that I would certainly be supported, but that I would be equally as challenged. I craved the feeling of striving to impress those who I respected and looked up to and that is what has made me the rider and horsewoman I am today. Role models are a very influential part of many young girls’ careers in any sport, but especially with horses. Soon later, not only did I feel like those people I looked up to were proud of me, but that they were also my friends. My trainer Ms. Julie is like a mother to me, and Olivia is the greatest friend I’ve ever known. It’s crazy to think about who I was before I moved to Sleepy Oaks and met them. The young riders and their families quickly became family to me as well and as for the several that still ride at Sleepy Oaks today, it has been truly amazing to watch these kids grow up as I’ve grown up too. And my amazing barn moms, who are all like extra moms to me, that I am forever bonded to and will always deeply appreciate for guiding me through my teenage and young adult years.

There is something so special about friends who defy age and all have something in common. Whether it’s the big-sister relationships with the littles as you watch them outgrow their ponies, or their moms who talk you through life lessons on tough days. My barn family is my everything.