Where it All Began

A Lifelong Obsession: How Horses Ignited a Passion

In an instant, everything changed…

It all unfolded at the quaint riding stable nestled near my elementary school. What I experienced there wasn't just a passing interest; it was an all-encompassing obsession. An unshakable feeling that the lesson pony next to me would be the start of something. I had no idea, at that moment, just how much horses would change my life.

A Most Unlikely Equestrian

Growing up in the suburbs of Pennsylvania, I was an unlikely equestrian. My interests leaned more towards books than sports. Summers found me nestled at the end of the couch, engrossed in fantastical tales and science fiction. I devoured books at an astonishing pace, so much so that the section of unread volumes dwindled to a mere handful of old non-fiction volumes and encyclopedias.

On my tiptoes, I reached for a slim hardcover with a navy blue spine. Its cover showcased a horse seemingly dancing across the pages, alongside a name I struggled to pronounce. As I flipped through the book, I found myself captivated by the intricate illustrations and detailed instructions on how to communicate with a horse. The drawings were exquisite, and I sat in awe of the author's descriptions. Intrigued by what other treasures might hide on this long-neglected shelf, I embarked on a bookish adventure, pulling down volume after volume to unveil a small library of equestrian knowledge.

Some Family Favorites

I’ve included links to purchase a few of my favorite books for any aspiring equestrians - you can also find them at your tack shop if you’re lucky! Just click the images below if you’d like to bring a copy home or send one to someone special.

My mother, a native New Yorker, heard the commotion and shared that she had once ridden horses competitively on Long Island. Together we ventured to the basement, unearthing a dusty plastic bin tucked beneath the stairs. Amongst a pile of sweaters lay a pair of oxblood red riding boots and a dark velvet hunt cap. As I ran my fingers over these exquisite materials, my mother recounted her days of saving her secretary's salary to ride horses on the weekends with a woman from Kentucky and a talented Frenchman.

I was captivated.

With every book read from cover to cover, I fervently pleaded for riding lessons. Horses of every size and shape replaced the sketches of dancing mice and smiling cats in my sketchbook. These magnificent animals consumed my thoughts until finally, after months of pleading, my parents gave in.

A Transformation Begins

We dialed the riding stable and discovered that a beginner's lesson was available that very weekend. I could hardly contain my excitement as we approached the barn. I ventured cautiously toward the battered wooden boards of a dark stall; inside, I found a unicorn. Standing at twice my height and adorned in speckled gray, a magnificent giant named Silver extended his head to greet me with a gentle nicker.

I observed in awe as the instructor demonstrated how to groom his coat, and then, I timidly introduced myself to this beautiful creature I had read so much about. Silver stood still as I prepared to tack him up, and then patiently walked me around the expansive sand arena outside.

I vividly remember the rolling movement of his back and the sensation of his mane under my anxious fingers. The fear of falling off gripped me, but I heeded the instructor's guidance and synced my movements with the saddle. I was doing it!

More lessons followed, and I eventually secured a position as farm help at a local barn in exchange for riding time. Throughout the summer I carried water buckets, mucked out stalls, and hoisted bales of hay to cover the costs of my lessons. I defied the trainer's expectations of a twelve-year-old bookworm, and the farmer who owned the stable, an old Navy diver, affectionately referred to me as "Cupcake" as I outworked the other stable hands. Proudly pushing the wheelbarrow a little faster each day, I discovered that I possessed more strength than I had ever realized.

My lifelong literary adventures filled my mind with tales of heroines and warriors, and it was Silver who granted me my first opportunity to become one. Through him I learned the power of courage, hard work, and, most importantly, trust. Meeting Silver in that dusty barn aisle was a touch of real-life magic, and I remain deeply grateful for the journey that commenced on that remarkable day.