Anyone who knows me understands that I live and breath horses. I have spent the majority of my young adult life showing, riding, and working with these amazing animals. People always ask me how I handle the workload of looking after four horses while attending school and having a part-time job. Don't get me wrong, it is a lot of work to have so much on my plate, but I know that if it weren't for my horses, I would not be able to handle the pressures of an insanely busy college student.

Yes, horses require a lot of work, and I am at the barn for hours each day, but it is my happy place. It is where I go to escape when life gets difficult. My horses are who I talk to and cuddle with when I need a friend. I understand that to a non-horse person that may sound a little odd. However, unless you have bonded with a horse, and gone through life's trials and ups and downs with them as I have, you will never fully be able to understand how strong the connection is between a horse and its rider.

My horses and I have built up these great bonds over the past six years competing and working, and learning together. Over that time, I have learned lessons that no person or classroom could ever teach me.

1. Time Management

This was the first lesson my horses taught me, and I had to learn it fast if I was going to be able to be on the road showing them 5 days a week. At the beginning of my journey with horses, If I wanted to pursue my passion, I had to learn how to juggle 7 AP classes with the horse shows. I would not be able to show if I fell behind in my grades, nor would I be successful competing or keeping up with my points in the equitation classes if I had to miss showing due to falling behind in school work. I was going to either sink or swim, but the love for my horses kept me working, and I learned how to speedily write essays between the Maclay and the Junior Hunter Classic.

2. Trust

When you step into a show ring, with an animal that has a mind of its own, you are trusting them with your life. My horses also put their trust in me that I will not lead them into harm's way. It is a dangerous sport, but it is also an adrenaline rush when you meet a jump perfectly in stride and your horse powers off the ground. My horses give me the wings I lack, but in order to get to be successful in the show ring, you cannot be afraid. If you are afraid of a jump or worried about a distance, your horse will be, too. You are connected with them. Trusting each other is key to success. Your trainers and supporters can only do so much. Once you walk in the in-gate, it is just you and your horse, and your level of trust you have with each other will make or break your ride.

3. Hard Work

Chasing points might have been one of the most strenuous situations of my entire junior riding career. The equitation ring is intense; if you take a break for five minutes, you are out of the running for the medal final. You have to show every weekend, and place in the top three in order to stay in the top ten for your region in order to make it to the medal finals. The only one working harder than my trainer and me was my equitation horse, Colton. He acted like a pro and didn't blink an eye when the courses threw wild and crazy things in his face. Even after multiple medals in one weekend, and being completely exhausted, he mustered up the energy to compete with me in that last work off of the day. I look up to and aspire to have a work ethic like Colton's and all of the equitation horses on the circuit. They are the best role models for hard work.

4. Love

Last, but certainly not least, my horses taught me about love. Not only did they show me what it was like to be loved, but they also taught me how to unconditionally love other people. At the end of the day, a rider goes through the highs and lows of life with their horse. They are the ones that celebrate with you when you succeed, and they are the ones that comfort you with cuddles when you have had a bad day. They aren't my pets, they aren't just my teammates, and they are more than just my friends; my horses are my family.

There will never be enough kisses or cookies in the world to show them the love and gratitude I have for them. I will never be able to thank them completely for guiding me through life and teaching me how to love, trust, work hard, and conquer anything that comes my way.