How I Fell in Love with Equestrian

Being an equestrian is a part of my DNA — it’s who I am. “Falling off & getting back on the horse” is something I learned at a very young age and take literally! I fell in love with horses before I could formulate a full sentence. Being a competitive showjumper is not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle— a piece of my heart and soul.

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Where it Began

I started horseback riding with my mother, Elizabeth, when I was 3-years old. We rode together in Old Brookville, New York at the former Meadowbrook Polo Club. I remember taking my pony, “Simon Says,” to the polo fields with my mom and her horse, “Sam,” after lessons and cantering around the field. Blessed!

Shared experiences like the ones I have with my mother at such a young age are some reasons why I “fell hard” for horses.

Equestrian Life

There are so many things to think about when you’re riding a horse. For instance, are my heels down? Are my hands in the right place? Are my shoulders back? Am I looking up not down? (Just to name a few!)

Suddenly, like magic— all the cobwebs in my head vanish. The barn clears the “cobwebs” out of my head. When I leave the barn, I feel more confident, more joyous, and ready to tackle the day. Being an equestrian is a part of my heart and soul — it’s who I am.

Getting Back on The Horse

I stopped counting how many times I fell off a horse after I hit 100 falls! I’ve ridden ponies, I’ve ridden horses — I’ve traveled the country competing against top riders in the world.

Falls happen, it’s the decision you make after you fall that counts.

While I developed as a rider, I also grew as a human being. Not only did I grow in terms of skill and craft, but perhaps even more so, I grew in character.

Facing My Fears

When galloping toward a 4-foot oxer on a horse who is reluctant to jump the obstacle, you learn to have courage; courage in yourself and courage in your “team.” Facing my fears on horseback has helped me face many of life’s obstacles.

Winter equestrian festival, 2015.

Controlling My Reactions

Horses are flight animals. They are also intuitive and emotional animals. The rider who is calm, confident, and positive is always the best rider. I’ve been in life-threatening situations while on a horse. By remaining calm and not panicking, I’ve always been able to navigate myself and the horse out of harm’s way. This ability to be calm in tumultuous situations taught me it's okay for things to get worse because after things get worse, they always get better.

Being a Leader

The leadership skills my horses taught me have carried into my branding and marketing work, as well as my relationships, and daily interactions. Horses do not respond to bullies and tyrants. I’ve learned to be creative when communicating what I want on a horse. Being assertive and confident while remaining respectful and patient is key.

The same form of creative communication tactics has worked with colleagues, friends, family, and boys (well, not always with boys!). Much like horses, I’ve found that people do not gain respect for me out of fear. Working with horses improves my creative thinking and problem-solving skills, which in turn have made me an effective leader.

Leadership & The Workplace

Teamwork

Though this may be obvious, teamwork is one of the basic skills equestrian sports can teach participants. Teamwork has helped motivate me to do my part, assisting the team to reach our ultimate goal. Teamwork also involves the delegation of tasks, which is what successful leaders do every day. Great leaders need team-building skills in order to be examples and effective to those they lead.

Communication

Communication skills are vital for leaders to motivate, recognize, and appreciate the great work of their departments and teams. Rule #1 of Horsemanship: It’s never you vs. horse, it’s you and horse. A horse, just like my current, past, and future colleagues, has a unique mindset. I’ve learned how to work together through riding, always considering how my personal traits impact my colleagues. Communicating in a clear, motivating, and honest way, the horse, and my colleagues, listen and follow.

Strategic Development and Organizational Skills

Teamwork and communication are not effective unless there are organization and strategy behind it. Equestrian sports and team activities give me opportunities to come up with a game plan and strategies to win. I always have the ultimate goal in mind. I do away with pointless meetings, develop strategies, and make sure the work being done is effective and efficient.

Self Discipline

On an individual level, equestrian sports gave me self discipline and understanding. Self-discipline from equestrian sports taught me what I needed to practice, whether it’s perfecting a flying lead change or getting more endurance to jump an entire course. Equestrian sports brings different challenges to me. It also allows me to recognize the challenge at hand, contribute to the “team,” and make necessary improvements individually. The same is true in the workplace. Leaders are not perfect—instead, they work hard on improving and developing new skills.  Leaders need self-discipline in order to be successful.

“Leadership skills are important on and off the horse. They help create championship teams, great work in the office and most importantly, personal growth.”

Building Self-Confidence

The self-confidence I’ve developed from knowing I can influence a powerful animal seeps into every interaction I have with people. While developing as a rider, I have also grown as human beings. Not only do I grow in terms of physical ability, but perhaps even more so, in character.

Values

What I love about this website I’ve created is that it gives me a platform to share not just my branding and marketing expertise with those who are interested, but also bits and pieces of my life. Well, being an equestrian is my life — it is my being & soul.

Honest, hard work pays off. Being ethical to myself, the horse, my friends, & colleagues.

• Versatility. Being able to thrive in any setting, with all different kinds of people.

• Grit. No pain no game. I respect those who have a fire in their belly to reach their goals.

• Perseverance. Falling off and getting back on. Do you give up or keep trying? Knowing your limits.

  • Stamina, endurance, tenacity, “never give up” attitude

• Problem-Solving. Staying calm in tumultuous situations. Learning to not panic and find a solution. Solve the problem when the horse is frantic, bucking, scared.

  • “Good in a crisis" not one to panic when things go wrong, helping others solve a problem with you.

• Public speaking. When you’re in the show ring, you’re “performing.” Since I was a kid rider, I have been horse showing.