I've always had an interest in horses for as long as I can remember. As a kid whenever I'd see a horse, I'd want to jump on and ride it. Luckily, in eighth grade I was able to indulge in my passion. I took lessons at a stable near my house all the way up until I graduated high school. When I first started riding, I didn't know I'd become so passionate about the sport. I just knew I loved horses, and that I wanted to learn everything I could about them. Over the years, I competed in a number of schooling shows, where I put my horsemanship and speed skills to the test. I learned how to ride both western and English, and I felt like I'd become a well-rounded rider.

Once I went away to college, that all changed. I didn't ride at all my freshman year, except for when I went home for the holidays. The entire year I wanted to ride, but I just felt too overwhelmed from starting college and practically starting a new life in a new city, so I just ended up constantly missing the sport. Luckily my sophomore year I found a stable near my school where I started taking lessons at. Everything I was taught in the lessons was redundant since I'd already been riding for so long, but it's all part of the process when you move to a new stable.

I loved taking lessons solely because I got time with the horses that I'd been longing for. But when I came back to school after summer vacation to start my junior year, I decided I didn't want to ride at school anymore. I made this decision mostly because I felt like I wasn't being pushed to my full potential by my trainer. Instead of looking for a new stable and trainer, I just decided to put my riding career on hold. I still try to go riding when I visit my parents, but it's not something I do when I'm at school.

I'd like to say my priorities have changed, but riding is still really important to me. I still want to live on a farm with horses someday. I still get excited every time I see a horse, and wish I could just hop up on it and go for a ride. It just doesn't fit in my life right now. Right now I'm focused on school, my job, and the possibility of getting an internship in my field. And in my free time I'm focused on bettering myself on a personal level, which includes me working out more, trying to eat healthy, and working on my mental health. I will always be passionate about horses, but right now I need to focus on my schooling and myself to make sure my future is bright. So to anyone out there who had to give something up that they loved, I totally understand your situation. Just know I hope you can pick it up again in the future when you're ready. We all deserve to have something we are passionate about.