From the outside, riding (horses) seems simple: you sit on the horse and the horse does what you ask of them.

What I love so much about riding is that it is anything but simple. No two horses are exactly the same. It shows that good results are only possible through hard work and strict discipline, great trust, unconditional harmony and a deep passion for the sport and the animals.

As a competitor, riding demands that I become my best day in and day out, so that my horses can do the same. We are only able to achieve our greatest accomplishments in the arena as a TEAM.

These are values that my parents have modelled for me since my earliest childhood. Values in which I believe unconditionally. I am convinced that you can achieve anything if you take these values to heart. I am deeply grateful to my parents for instilling these beliefs in me.

Horses are known for their high emotional IQ — they’re sensitive, “feeling” creatures. That’s one of the many reasons I think I’ve been drawn to them since I was young. No matter what kind of day I’m having, going to the barn and spending time with my horses feels like a reprieve — it feels like home.

My mum used to ride as a child, but had to give it up due to financial reasons at a pretty young age. But when my brother and I were little, she wanted us to have the opportunity to enjoy them just as much as she did and went about finding some ponies for us.

I’ve always loved animals, especially horses and cows… and of course dogs too. As we continued to learn and grow on our ponies, we began trying out other horse breeds and riding disciplines—eventually finding the American Quarter Horse and one of the many sports they are known for: Reining.