"Taking home the blue ribbon will be Arianna Cacioppo" is the phrase that makes the hectic blend of a luxurious sport and long days of hard work worth every 4 AM wakeup and every "Let's stay the night, it's too late to go home."

As a high school student, I have friends in a variety of different sports, though I'd be lying if I said equestrianism doesn't take the cake. As an equestrian, I work to better myself within the sport, while simultaneously building an understanding connection with the different personalities in each of my equine partners.

While growing as an athlete, I've made a group of friends better described as family, sharing the common bond of love for a not-so-common sport. Not many can say that their teammate is a four-legged animal. Outsiders might not see that as an equestrian, we only spend about an hour on the horse, yet a full day at the barn is necessary to ensure the best care is given to our teammates- this is where the fun happens!

Involvement in such an enriching activity takes a certain personality, and this involvement brings you into a community of people who have the same equine "it-factor."

A day at a horse show is like a Gatsby party for horse people. I spend my summers traveling to exciting places with my Saddle River Equestrian family, meeting new friends, riding alongside Olympic medalists and celebrities, and can't forget all of the incredible food at these places.

All in all, the wins, the losses, smiles, falls, I don't know who I'd be if it weren't for this great sport and family I've formed along the way. It's tough enough being a teen girl, and I couldn't imagine a day without nuzzles from the animals whose wholehearted efforts and affection make our dreams and success a reality.