© High Mountain Dressage • 2010
BACKGROUND
His name was Zach. He was an appaloosa with one blind eye. He taught me what my seat was in the canter at the end of a lunge line. Zach belonged to my best friend Tanya and watching their relationship helped me to become the rider that I am today. Watching Tanya take meticulous care of Zach taught me the importance of on-the-ground work with one's horse and how it can directly affect riding. They learned from eachother constantly, they persevered through those 'hard rides', they enjoyed one another's energy on those gallops through the field. The most important thing that I learned from Tanya and Zach is that riding is not about the big money horses, ribbons and glamour, but rather what one is willing to put into it. Horses teach us about ourselves constantly if we are open. Riding is about personal goals that we set for ourselves and taking the time to acknowledge each and every step to obtaining those goals, and trying to have fun at the same time!
I grew up on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and had the luxury to be able to work for my lessons. Working for my lessons helped me to understand the efforts that go into riding and owning horses. I established a strong work ethic that I still carry with me to this day. We had a group of young women that rode together and supported eachother through every fall, every horse show and every other up and down that life decides to throw at us. Even though riding is a personal endeavor in my opinion, working together, learning from eachother and supporting one another in a team environment is an important aspect to riding in my life.
Besides understanding the beauty in horses and riding my other passions include wildlife conservation.
I went to college to study wildife conservation and truly believe that bringing humans to the natural world will help them in ways they never imagined. Wildlife, like horses, can be windows to our own self and help us better understand what we desire in life.
CURRENT
In continuing my love of wildlife conservation I decided to pursue my Masters in Conservation Biology. I am an independent contractor for The Nature Conservancy. I work as the Big Chino Pronghorn Partnership Coordinator. If you have any questions about the partnership please let me know! I am also working as the chemistry instructor at Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy. I find working with young students and sharing my love of science with them very inspiring. When I am not researching pronghorn, or teaching chemistry I find peace by working horses. I am very thankful for the unconditional love and support that Brendan and our two dogs provide me through all of my endeavors.
FUTURE
It is difficult to say for sure what anyone's future holds. I can say with confidence however, that I envision continuing in my professional career of Conservation Biology. I also hope to have horses and riding in my life for as long as I am able. Without horses in my life I feel like something is absent, to have riding and my love of the natural world in my life is what I need to obtain personal happiness and balance. I hope to share my love of horses with others and would like to help them realize their full potential, both personally and in riding.
