The journey.. summarized.

My story is sporadic, with no seemingly clear direction forward. However, I somehow always managed to progress, even if the route to the end goal took me places I never imagined. Being willing to be a beginner in a foreign discipline gave me access to mentors, horses, and experiences that are worth their weight in gold.

This blog will share detailed stories of the integral moments that led me to where I am today. However, I felt to share a condensed version of how it has unraveled thus far. I will do my best to keep it brief, as it’s one heck of a wild ride!

The horse that stole my heart, my best mare Dunit Pretty Good, or “Macchi” short for Macchiato.

I always longed to do the jumpers. An adrenaline junkie at heart, as a kid I would build makeshift jumps out of hay bales and anything else I could get my hands on. Then, with absolutely no clue what I was doing, I’d point my family’s little 14.3hh quarter horse at it with no ounce of fear in my body. Imagine all of this in a western rig, cowboy boots, no helmet, nothing but a far fetched dream.

At the age of 19, I dropped out of college and a full ride scholarship to play soccer at a Division 1 University. I wanted to be a horse trainer, and I wanted to work for Clinton Anderson. With the full support of my parents, despite them probably thinking I was crazy, I went all in. There was no convincing me otherwise.

I had used his methodology of re-training horses on the very first horse that I “owned” (mom and dad bought). Prior to this, all of the horses I had ridden were either my grandmas’ or my aunt’s, all of which stayed at my grandmas’ farm walking distance to where I lived. He was a 3yo Half Arabian Half Quarter Horse out of Texas, purchased for my mom to show and me to ride when we both grew up a little more. After becoming resentful of his job of loping around the arena in circles, he became dangerous to ride, bucking and unpredictable every time he was backed. Certainly no ride for an 8yo child.

My parents decided to pull him from the show barn and put him in a pasture at home for a few years. Let him be a horse, which led to him becoming my first project. And while I’ll save this story for another day, he is now in his later years, happily carrying around a 70yo lady and giving grandchildren their first rides.

YL Bronco Boogie, “Bronco”, after winning the Western Pleasure class with my mom at the Region 12 rated Arabian show. Pictured with me and my younger brother Wil.

In the spring of 2016, I applied for the Clinton Anderson Academy, a 7-week intensive course where each student brings two green horses that have never been trained with his method. After completing the academy with my 3yo QH mare and 6yo off the track thoroughbred gelding, Clinton asked me to stay further and work for him on his ranch. I was the only person to be offered the job. It was a dream come true.

I said yes without thought. This yes turned into one of the most critical times of my life. I lived on the ranch, and was given colts to start and problem horses to fix, from clients all over the country. Having access to all of Clinton’s ranch, and Clinton himself, it was a pivotal time of my career. I worked with all breeds of horses, with their own set of habits that put their owners in the bind of needing help and turning to one of the best in the game. I also witness top tier reiners work in their respected programs, as these were what Clinton was riding and training.

It was long days and brutal hours, averaging 80 hour work weeks to be exact. I was stubborn, determined, and willing to sacrifice everything.. including my health. Again, a story for another day.

Fast forward some years, I’m off the ranch in Texas and working out of the family farm in Virginia. Having Clinton’s stamp of approval, I’m able to use his name and credibility as a launching pad for my business. I become a reputable trainer for starting colts and re-training horses. Here I developed the art of working with clients, running a facility (with great help from both parents), hosting public clinics, and caring for others’ horses on my own turf. While all of my friends were in college studying and partying, I was caring for a barn filled with horses.

One summer evening, I check my phone after riding a client's horse to see a missed call and voice message with a Kentucky area code. To my surprise, it’s a reputable dressage rider inquiring about me working for him. I genuinely thought he had the wrong number, so I returned his call prepared to politely say just that. I had no background or even knowledge of dressage, nor took any interest in it. I respected it, but didn’t care to pursue it. Upon getting him on the phone, he goes on to explain how his buddy Clinton Anderson recommended me for starting young horses, which is the kind of help he was needing. In one phone call, he offered to fly me to Utah to help select two colts and ship them to his facility, where we’d start them under saddle in 3 days. Afterwards, they’d come with me to Virginia so I could further their education until they were ready to go back to Kentucky for their dressage training. I would also be making the move to work there full-time. I said yes, with little hesitation.. not knowing in the least bit what I was getting myself into. While dressage wasn’t something I desired to do, I knew I’d benefit from it immensely, as would any horse I’d train in the future. And having the chance to sit on Grand Prix dressage horses? That alone is the opportunity of a lifetime.

In essence, after starting the colts, I spent the entire fall and winter training them at home. Then in the spring, I made the move with the colts and my mare Macchi, where I lived and worked for a relatively brief time. Although I’m saving the stories for another day, I must say that I gained an immense amount of knowledge as a rider, trainer, and groom in my time there. Things I carry with me to this day.

Enter the two year reprieve, where I pulled out of everything. I shut down my business and weaned out my clientele… and sold my horses. I was burned out. Not by the horses, but by the people. I didn’t think I had a breaking point, but I was wrong. I’d poured my heart and soul into it for 4 years, only to have been run to the ground by the people I looked up to most. It was devastating, and at 23 years old, I was starting over again, not knowing what I was to do with my life. Horses were the only constant I’d ever known. But I needed to find out who I was without them, in order to know what I was truly meant to do.

Photo taken at the Zapata Ranch, a week-long trip Alessi and I took where we lived on the ranch in Colorado fall of 2022.

I moved to Miami, not knowing a single person there..but I figured there was no better place to make something of myself than there. I packed up my car, my cat Sparrow, and headed south. The first two years were the only time in my entire life that I didn’t have the daily responsibility of caring for horses. At first it was nice, not needing to wake up an extra hour early or rush home at night to do the barn chores at an appropriate time. But deep down I missed it, and the more time went by, the stronger that desire became.

I started to pursue becoming a firefighter.. I knew a desk job wasn’t for me, and firefighters live an exciting life that can be very demanding. Plus it’s nice pay. That was the closest thing I could see myself doing outside of horses, but the further into the schooling I got, the more my heart longed to be back in the barn.

One day, I had the epiphany - I had a skill set that was valuable in the horse industry. Why not make some side money, help a facility however I could, all while doing something I loved? I needed additional income to help pay for school, so I started contacting local barns in my area. Slim pickings in Miami, but there were plenty of options further north. I offered to clean stalls.. anything to get me around horses again.

Within 24 hours I was contacted by a showjumping trainer, Cristyan Serna, who offered a groom position at an upcoming weekend schooling show. Little did I know he would be responsible for changing the entire trajectory of my life. That weekend was the most fun I ever had doing horses.. all because of the people. It opened my eyes entirely.. I didn’t know you could be in the industry and be surrounded by such encouraging, supportive, and knowledgeable folk. Side note; don’t mistake this for trainers who show tough love. I actually benefit most from a mentor who is tough on me. However, those above you can also be a friend, a positive figure that sees you as family, not just another workhorse. Cris exemplified this, and in doing so, I very quickly dropped my prior plans and went all in once again.

The craziest part is I had never jumped before. Heck, I had barely any time in an English rig. But Cris took a shot on me anyways. I started by riding the lesson horses out of his Miami barn, keeping them in check so that they’d perform as desired for the students. Within the first two months, I was able to ride a few of the privately owned jumpers. After the first lesson, I was hooked. It felt like a drug, and I became crazed by it. Before I knew it, I was jumping on average 1.10-1.20m on these horses. I’ll be the first to admit that my equitation needed some work, but I was brave and able to stay on just about anything. Cris could put the jump to 1.35m oxer and I’d do it without question. I was just happy to be there, finally doing what I’d always felt in my heart I was meant to do.

I started the job in April, and by mid-July, I approached Cris about finding me a horse. He brought horses from Europe all the time, and I trusted his judgment. Within two weeks, he sent me photos and videos of a 7yo bay gelding out of Germany. He’s a bit green, but brave, and Cris liked him. That’s all I needed to hear. After a clear pre-purchase exam, I had him shipped to Miami. This was probably the most exciting moment of my life; if somebody had told me months prior that I’d be bringing a horse from Europe, I wouldn’t have believed it for a second. Never in my wildest dreams did I think something of this nature would be possible. After two and a half years, I was back. The responsibility and even financial strain of owning made me happier than I’d been in a very long time.

Perfect Van Den Heuvel, aka Parlay. A massive, 18.1hh giant, with the kindest eye and sweetest nature. As strong as he is big. I cannot wait to share our journey thus far.

I owe Cris more than words can say, for bringing me along, being a great coach and supporter, and walking me through learning a new industry. It didn’t come without rookie mistakes, yet he never let that get in the way of what we were working towards.

It’s February of 2023 now, and I’m writing this from New Jersey… of all places. My boyfriend Alessi had a job opportunity we couldn't resist, which led me to landing an amazing position as a barn manager, rider and teacher at a H/J facility. Saying goodbye to Cris and the rest of those in Miami was difficult. It still is. They became a family to me, setting the standard for what life in the horse industry can and should be like. Not a day goes by when I’m not grateful to them.

Currently, I’ve been in this new position for two weeks now. Everything is going beautifully, and there is so much on the horizon. Where it might take me, I honestly don’t know. What I do know is I’ll show up every day, put my best foot forward for the horses and the people, and let the rest take care of itself.

Here’s to whatever’s next!

Alessi and I at my first show with Parlay in Wellington, FL.