I got my start in riding a little later and differently than a lot of other riders. I was eight the first time I rode a horse after being given trial lessons as a Christmas gift. Up until then I had been afraid of horses, including even the pony rides you see at fairs and school carnivals. Once I did finally get in the saddle though, my parents have had a hard time keeping me out of one ever since.
I started riding in 2010 at North Houston Horse Park and continue to ride and compete for them today. I have worked with a number of trainers over the years and all of them have helped me become the rider I am today, especially my current trainer and mentor Carli Kirsch. I did my first local show in 2012 in the short stirrup division and competed on multiple horses over the next two years before switching to the jumpers division on my first leased horse, Karma, in 2014. After riding Karma for a year, the opportunity to lease the horse that I own now, Chevez, came available in 2015. Chevez and I moved up to A and AA rated jumper shows in 2017, first competing at The Texas Winter Series. While Chevez is an older horse, 22 this year, he has taught me a lot over the last 4 years. We mainly compete in Texas at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, but also have competed at Hipico Santa Fe and most recently at the Germantown Charity Horse Show. I retired Chevez in January of 2020 and am now training a very green 6 year old named Lewandowski from the ground up. I will begin showing him at the “A” level this September.
In addition to riding Lewandowski, I also ride other horses needing work at the barn and help other owners with their horses when they are out of town. Ultimately I want to become an equine veterinarian. I look for any opportunity I can to be out at the barn either riding or learning how to treat an injury or administer medication to try and learn as much as I can. I also like working with the younger riders because I remember what it was like when I first started out and had one of the older riders help me.
I will be a Senior this fall at The Woodlands College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas. When I am not riding, I play trumpet for the Mighty Cavalier Marching Band as well as being a member of the College Park chapter of the FFA. I have competed on the vet tech team, as well as helping with the Spring prospect show that the school hosts the last two years and plan to do the same again this year. I currently hold a weighted 4.15 GPA and a 3.67 unweighted GPA. I scored a 24 on the ACT in February and am scheduled to take the SAT this Fall.
I would like to find a school where I can continue my riding career at the NCEA Division 1 level after high school. The opportunity to continue to ride competitively and be part of a team of fellow student athletes who share the same passions, would only make the college experience that much more enjoyable and lasting. After attending the NCEA National Championships this spring and seeing the team spirit and support for not only their own teammates, but riders from other teams made me want to experience this that much more.