Category: Blog

Bryanna is the Spring 2022 Dressage Dreamer Award recipient, sponsored by Optimum Equine.

My name is Bryanna Tanase, and I am a 23-year-old para-equestrian based in Trinity, FL. I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 11 months of age and, as a result, rely on a wheelchair for all my daily mobility and require assistance with most daily tasks. However, I like to focus on my capabilities rather than my disability, and horses help me do just that.

My love of riding and horses started with a trip to a farm in preschool where I became infatuated with a palomino pony, and my love has continued since then. Throughout my childhood, I only had small interactions with horses like pony rides at the zoo and piggybacking on vacation trail rides with my family because riding was inaccessible for me. So, I spent most of my younger years learning as much as I could about horses through books and movies and asking my parents for a pony every chance I had. It was during this time that my 10-or-11-year-old self-discovered dressage and paradressage through YouTube videos of Charlotte Dujardin, Laura Graves, Roxanne Trunnel, Rebecca Hart, and other well-known paraequestrian and able bodied riders. I fell in love with the sport and knew it was something I had to pursue and achieve the highest level of distinction in. 

It wasn’t until my parents enrolled me in the therapeutic riding program at Quantum Leap Farm in April 2016 that I was finally able to learn to ride and be around horses on a regular basis. I was 17 years old, so I waited 14 years for this day. I progressed and gained so much skill and confidence in the program that I took my first independent ride in December 2016 and have been riding independently since then. In addition to riding, I have also had the opportunity to be actively involved in the care of horses and building a bond with the horse I ride. 

I am engaged in the equestrian community through my social media like Instagram and Facebook and am advocating for greater inclusion of paraequestrians in the media and equestrian sport at large through writing articles for outlets like US Equestrian and Kerrits Equestrian Apparel for their diversity and inclusivity projects, respectively. I have also used my social media to educate others on cerebral palsy and the life experience of disabled people as a whole. 

My ultimate goal is to qualify for the US Paradressage Team and the Paralympics. I am aiming for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. To accomplish this, I have set a series of smaller goals for myself. One of these was to receive a combination of therapeutic riding and dressage training, which I am meeting through working with my current therapeutic riding center, Quantum Leap Farm, and a newer one, Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center. I have developed a stable seat and am now working on establishing the first pillar of the dressage. I am also aiming to make it on the Emerging Athletes List for Paradressage within the next two years, which can be achieved by earning two scores of at least 60% at USEF affiliated shows or through the USEF/USPEA virtual judging program. Other goals I have are to master 20-, 10-, 8-, and 6-meter circles, to keep a horse on the bit in a natural, unforced manner, and to participate in other aspects of equestrianism besides riding. 

I audited my first clinic with Bill McMullin at LCH Equestrian in December 2020 and hope to attend more in the future, if I am able. One of my other big goals is to compete at the Paradressage National Championships, which take place in Tryon, NC, during October of each year. I rode in my first dressage clinic on June 26th, 2021, at Quantum Leap Farm. In exciting news, Cappy and I won our class in the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center Virtual Dressage Show in March with a 69.41%, my first blue ribbon ever! Cappy has been healing from laminitis since July, so I haven’t ridden him for a while, but I just started working with him again this March. A new horse named Giffin has also entered my life, and we are getting to know each other and preparing to re-enter the USEF/USPEA virtual judging competition in the summer. I am also riding in a clinic with Major Jeremy Beale, USDF Gold Medalist and two-time British Equestrian team on April 3rd.

I have overcome many challenges to become the equestrian I am today. The first is because of my physical health which also turns into a logistic problem. Many people in the equestrian industry are very wary of taking on students with a disability because of the liability involved. I cannot tell you how many times I have been turned away from facilities and told to go somewhere else despite my enthusiasm and want to learn because it is clear that the trainer and owner believed I would be too much of a headache to handle. If the attitude of the facility staff is not an issue, another roadblock comes in the form of the accessibility of the facility itself.

The main issue is that many stables in my area do not have a safe way for me to mount and dismount, but sometimes the accessibility can be so poor that I cannot get to the barn aisles to see the horses. Even if I suggest a solution to these issues that would not be too much of a hassle to implement, I am met with unwillingness to accommodate. Additionally, if we overcome the first two obstacles, there may not be a safe horse in the barn for me to ride. Sometimes, no matter how much the barn staff wants to help, there is no prudent way for me to ride and be engaged in the culture at a barn, so I must give up on the opportunity and try to find something else. I would like to branch out from therapeutic riding centers to experience an able-bodied dressage barn, but I cannot do that without support from the staff there. I passionately believe that the barn should be a safe place where everyone is welcome, and that there should not be separation between able bodied and para-equestrian riders. We should be able to share our love of horses together in harmony. 

Thankfully, because of the wonderful people at Quantum Leap Farm and Emerald M, I can ride despite this adversity. I have also overcome the social challenge of convincing my parents to let me pursue my athletic ambitions, after many disagreements, I won a battle well fought, and they now see that pursuing my equestrian dreams is something I am passionate about. My parents are a huge part of my support team and I am so grateful for all they have done for me. The encouragement and advice I receive from them is really motivating. I am the only equestrian in my family, and I am so proud to be one. I have moved into my own apartment in Trinity FL, and although I am employed part time, I am facing financial barriers. Not only do I have to pay for riding lessons and show fees, but also physical therapy to ensure that my body can keep up with the demands of riding. Riding is not just a hobby for me, it is a passion, and I hope to use my influence to ignite positive change in the industry and create opportunities for para-equestrians.

Jay is the Spring 2022 OYES Travel Award recipient, sponsored by friends of OYES.

My name is Jay Cimineri, and I am an autistic, transgender equestrian residing in the small town of Milton, Wisconsin. I received the Winter 2022 Platinum Stables Hunter Jumper Excellence Award, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity. This spring, I am hoping to receive more financial assistance to afford numerous shows this summer, along with starting training at a new barn.

I have been riding since I was a bright-eyed first grader and haven’t stopped since. After bouncing between many breeds along with numerous disciplines, I have discovered my admiration for the Arabian breed and working western disciplines. I have never met a kinder soul than one of the Arabian. This upcoming show season I am riding my trainer’s Arabian gelding, Chewbakka Bahim. Our goals for this season are to simply try our hardest at every show and enjoy my final year in the Junior division. Winning a few high points wouldn’t be bad, though!

I have many struggles with “fitting into” the equestrian community. I’m transgender, autistic, and I have numerous mental illnesses that have caused me immense hurdles in becoming a successful equestrian. With being diagnosed with autism in March of 2022, I understand myself more and why I have always felt like the odd one out. Of course, a diagnosis won’t fix everything, but it will help me learn more about my conditions and how to handle my issues in a better manner than before.

This applies to being an equestrian since I get very overwhelmed and have meltdowns frequently at shows. To an outsider, it looks like I’m being dramatic over not winning or my horse not performing as I asked, but that is far from the truth. It comes down to tiny things that set me off; whether it be the way my clothing feels, the humidity, noise levels, etc., these things affect me greatly at shows. I’ve been looked down upon frequently for these episodes I can’t control. I am getting much better, but it still happens regularly. I also have PTSD from falling off horses at shows, which affects my performance and confidence. I am working on these problems this show season, but it still is very frustrating and makes me feel helpless. 

The judging from others for being transgender also harms my mental health. I have seen numerous online posts from equestrian peers calling the LGBTQ+ community vile names and supporting hate. I feel uncomfortable at shows knowing I’m being judged for who I am and parts of me that I can not control. Some days I don’t even think I can show up and compete from the paranoia that my competitors despise me for my gender identity.

My previous scholarship helped me buy show chaps, a western saddle blanket, an English saddle pad, and pay for one open show. I am deeply grateful for everything OYES has done for me. I am trying to connect with my mentors as well. This spring/summer, the scholarship would help me afford my last year in the Junior division, along with making the jump to a new training facility. My trainer has let me know she plans on staying at college next summer, so my riding career with her and Chewie will sadly end this year. Chewie is my heart horse without a doubt, but his owner doesn’t currently offer lessons.

This means I need to find a new stable, preferably an Arabian or Morgan facility, to better my riding skills and advance my equestrian career. All Arabian/Morgan stables near me are about an hour away, so the scholarship would help pay for the travel fees. Currently, I can not justify the gas fees to train with these facilities, especially as I am unemployed due to my physical health issues and autism. I had to quit my job at a boarding facility due to extreme joint and ligament pain/instability, which I am currently looking into diagnoses and treatments for. My pain gets worse by the day, sometimes to the point where I can’t even open a door or turn on a light switch. I can’t seem to find a job that won’t hurt my body even more and also be fitting with my autism and anxiety. Being an equestrian is an expensive hobby, and I am only able to keep riding because my parents are helping financially.

Career-wise, I am most interested in a career with horses. I am deliberating on whether I should

attend college for equine science or not. If I decide to attend college for this specific path, I plan on attending UW-River Falls. My current trainer is a student in their equestrian science program and loves it. I am also considering veterinary lab work. The science of breeding and foaling greatly interests me. I am also looking into college programs for this path, but I am unsure of which to choose and how to accomplish these goals. Regardless of college, I want to move back to the East Coast, as I grew up there. I’ve found that the Midwest just isn’t for me. I need to decide which state is right for me and find active horse organizations. 

Lately, a vast majority of adults in my life are discouraging me from pursuing my goal of acquiring a career with equines. This has become hurtful and invalidating. I have been told

countless times there is no way I will ever be able to live off of horses, but it’s what my heart is telling me to do. No other career path even remotely interests me. I will be connecting with my mentors to get advice on making a career out of my passion for horses.

Despite my many struggles over the years, I have never once quit riding or working with horses. I have found they are my one true passion. The reward of creating a bond with an animal is one I will never take for granted. I can tell this point in my life comes to a fork in the road, and I need to take a leap to continue bettering my knowledge and riding. Assistance from OYES will help me greatly in achieving my goals as an equestrian. I appreciate everything this wonderful organization has done for both me and other equestrians!

Emma is the Spring 2022 Platinum Stables Hunter-Jumper Excellence Award, sponsored by Platinum Stables.

I remember the very first time I saw a horse up close. Watching a Spruce Meadows competition as a young child, clutching the railing and watching a rider and animal work together to accomplish an amazing goal. The feel of the wind gusting over me when they rushed past, the smell of sweat and grass and animals, the sound of hooves charging and leaping, and the sight of the arching body sailing over jumps taller than I was. Horses have always held a place in my heart, and many pieces of paper have been covered in drawings and scribbles from my youth, daydreaming of riding a horse the way the champions did. My name is Emma Herspiegel, and I am an eighteen-year-old equestrian, and riding is my dream. I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with my family and pets, all of whom I adore. My favorite pastime is to go hiking with my dog as often as possible. I also love kayaking, paddle boarding, cycling, reading and exploring.

The first time I rode was when I was very small at summer camp, but unfortunately, I did not get the chance to continue until recently. I am currently riding once a week in English riding hunter class on a lesson horse, and I have been riding for nearly two years now. I competed in the novice rider show ring circuit offered by the English riding schools around my town. Last year I competed at, and won multiple times, within the eighteen inch level. I also compete in the flat/equitation classes offered.

As this year’s show season approaches, I am hoping to move up to the two foot level alongside my eighteen inch rounds. I have been practicing and gradually moving up to the two foot range over the winter and am excited to show even once at this level. This is a big accomplishment for me, as I do not have my own horse to train on, and my time learning and practicing in the saddle is limited due to financial strain. My family cannot afford to pay the cost for lessons more than once a week. To make up for this deficiency, I try to do strength and endurance training as much as possible during the days I have outside the saddle.

My mother has always taught me the importance of dedication and hard work. As an immigrant from Nicaragua, she has always worked her hardest to look after and protect myself and my family. Her example is the guiding light in my life, and she has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and chase equestrianism with the same fire that I do anything else. At the same time, I am well aware of the financial difficulties faced by my parents, and I have often worked part time for my father’s landscaping company to help lighten the load the best I can. It was an exhausting job to work before school: waking up at 4 a.m. to shovel snow on properties, come back for classes, before going out and helping my father to finish his route. Afterward, I needed to complete all my homework for school before starting again the next day.

Despite the difficult schedule, these experiences taught me the importance of dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity. My mother’s birth country of Nicaragua is a place I visited a few years ago and a place I cherish. Something I have been deeply aware of growing up, was aware that there is no show jumping team for Nicaragua in the Olympics. I was never able to watch competitions from South or Central America growing up, with the Olympics being one of the only places I could see the sport on television. I knew that there are not as many Latinx equestrian competitors, especially from my own origins. Many of the names I grew up watching were of European descent, where the sport is much more prevalent.

Next year, I hope to enter the University of Calgary as a first-year student. My passion lies in zoology, and I have been given conditional acceptance into the Faculty of Science undergraduate program of Biological Sciences, and I am hoping to be accepted into the zoology major as well.

I aspire to continue riding throughout my university career, which I am aware will be difficult due to financial constraints. My long-term goals are a tad bit grander than my short term goals, but I am prepared to fight to make them a success. After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to be accepted into the Royal Veterinary College in London. This institution has an equestrian show jumping team of their own, which I hope to compete with when I attend. After getting my degree, I dream of taking on an internship that will allow me to practice on wild and exotic species of animals.

My plans for a future career align with becoming an equine or wildlife veterinarian, or a wildlife biologist. Along with this, I have very large dreams for my riding career. Though it may seem very far-fetched and perhaps even impossible, I dream of one day owning my own horse and competing at high levels of show jumping, perhaps even Grand Prix level. I wish to be the person riding at a high level in the ring, soaring as a team over jumps that seemed much easier to conquer as a child. I long for that connection, that feeling of peace and thrill that comes with riding a horse.

Jacquelynne is the Spring 2022 Dream and Scheme Horse Show Awardee, sponsored by Dreamers and Schemers.

My life began when I was nine years old: I rode a horse for the very first time at my current barn, Shady Lawn Ranch in Oakdale, Calif. Little did I know at the time that horse riding would have such a tremendous influence on life. Every minute spent around horses, learning, working, and growing allowed me to become the hard-working, ambitious, and dedicated person that I am today. The day I first put my foot in the stirrup was the day that marked the beginning of my transformational journey to who I am today. 

I have been riding for almost 13 years and started riding because as a little girl, I had a dream of learning how to ride just like every other little girl who loved horses. Although I do not come from a horse-established background, I was very fortunate to find a barn that was close to home and affordable. From the beginning, I have always paid for all of my lessons. Shady Lawn Ranch may not be the prettiest barn with fancy horses and the ability to travel and show, but I learned so much about horses in and out of the saddle. 

From the Shady Lawn Ranch riding program, I learned how to ride both western and english, but I am predominantly a western rider without a specific area of discipline due to my financial limitations preventing me from specializing. My goals as a rider have always been to continue improving my horsemanship skills, build more knowledge and understanding of the horse, and gain more experience in the horse world. Since I have excelled past the riding program at my home barn, it has been difficult trying to find other lesson barns that are affordable. In addition, as an individual who is a minority (Mexican and Chinese) and lacking coming from a horse–established background, it is even more difficult finding acceptance and understanding of my situation. I would love to have the ability to continue to support my riding and find another trainer who could help me further my riding skills and exposure. 

My biggest goal was to be able to own my very own horse. That dream came true in the summer of 2021 when I had the greatest opportunity of my life. Before that time, I was working as closely as I could during the COVID lockdown and through school restrictions with a red mare at my community college. Although horse riding has greatly molded me, this specific red mare came into my life and has been my greatest catalyst. Never could I have fathomed the tremendous impact one horse would have on me until I met Candy. 

Candy was a 15-year-old, unwanted, and very green mare with almost debilitating separation anxiety, but I felt deeply that there was much more to her. I had such a strong desire to buy her myself, but I knew my financial limitations would not allow me to keep a horse, especially when I was soon to transfer to a four-year college. Knowing how strongly I cared for Candy, my equine professor presented me with the best opportunity of my life. She said to me, “Buy Candy for five dollars, train her for the summer, and donate her back before transferring.” 

Candy never went back to my community college. I worked with Candy almost every day, determined that I could train this worried horse to not only be ridden, but also find relaxation and trust. I quickly fell in love with this horse and was amazed by her skyrocketing progress during that summer. Yet the most amazing part of this opportunity was that somewhere in between training this horse, I was the one who learned the most. With immense help from following a world-renowned horse trainer, Warwick Schiller, I discovered how to understand myself more deeply through attunement, mindfulness, and awareness. With the great transformation that Candy led me to, I knew before the end that I did not want to give her back. Despite my circumstances, I worked hard to find a way to keep her, and luckily I did. I was able to lease Candy to two young girls, which allowed me to afford to keep her while attending college away from home.

However, my college education expenses come first. Although my parents admire my passion for horse riding, it is my responsibility to pursue my higher level of education in order to support my passion for my future self. Besides doing my best to keep myself in horses and scraping up enough to continue lessons when possible, paying for my college education is my number one priority. I am currently a junior at California State University of Fresno and majoring in Animal Science with an Equine Science emphasis. Since moving from Escalon to Fresno, the access to horse riding was scarce. Luckily, I am able to spend a lot of my time outside the classroom volunteering at the Fresno State Quarter Horse Unit. As I have proven myself as a volunteer, I have earned the Head Rider student employee position and will begin my employment in August 2022.

I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish and become. My short-term goal is in the Fall of 2022 I would like to financially support myself to board my horse, Candy, with me during my last year of college. It has been extremely difficult not having her with me when I owned her for only four months before moving to Fresno. Any other awarded funds and earned savings would go directly to the care expenses for Candy such as board, farrier, vaccinations, deworming, and annual teeth floating. My future aspirations are to continue improving my skills and knowledge, and hopefully, someday be able to take my horse to a local ranch show or gymkhana.

Jalila is the Spring 2022 Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship recipient, sponsored by Kerrits Equestrian Apparel.

My name is Jalila Nazerali-Ruddy, and I am a rising junior at Mount Holyoke College. I am double majoring in education and psychology! So far in my 20 years, I have lived in four different countries (Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania, and the US). My equestrian journey started around the age of five in Uganda, where I was born and lived for seven years, where I started riding thanks to my Mum (a former horsewoman herself!). Due to all the moving, my equestrian journey has been very start and stop. I started out with pony rides, and then during my years in Sudan, my Mum became my instructor. While in Tanzania, the rides consisted of bush trail rides and slightly uncontrolled beach rides. Once I moved to Vermont, I started jumping, but shortly after, I moved barns and started working with greener horses on the flat in both western and English and a lot of foundational work was dressage.

Since making the mounted roster at Mount Holyoke College, my riding goals have focused in on dressage and developing my knowledge, both mounted and unmounted, about the discipline. I would love to develop my skills in the saddle, not only for the purpose of showing but just to have the amazing yet unexplainable connection that is formed when a rider is able to find a connection with a horse.

My realistic plan upon graduating Mount Holyoke College is taking a few years and working at a barn full time, preferably a training barn or a low-key Dressage barn. I would then like to find a stable job as a teacher to be able to financially support taking lessons or even leasing or owning my own horse. Although showing is something that I enjoy and would like to do a few times, I do not see it as a big part of my life post college. On the side, I would like to run a small equine photography business. I would say I am on the right track to accomplish these goals because I am currently two years in working towards graduating with a teacher licensure. I have a summer camp job working as a riding and vaulting counsellor, and this is a job offer for life as this summer (2022) will be my 10th summer attending due to being a camper and counsellor in trainer. This camp is a second home, and at times, a first home. Photography-wise, I have been taking lots of equine photos for friends of mine, playing around with portrait photos, and I have recently been taking more action shots. I see my skills developing especially when it comes to editing and touching up.

On the more dream side, ultimately, I would like to lease my own barn and run a business training horses and offering boarding and lessons. Further out on the dream, I would like to stay in New England and become a diverse barn, working with schools and finding students of color who may take an interest in entering the equine world. The biggest challenges I have had to overcome/working on overcoming with being involved with riding are:

• Financial logistics. Since freshman year of high school, I have been funding my horse addiction. Although my Mum fully supports and encourages it, it has not been in her budget. I have worked off my lessons with chores, riding horses that need extra schooling, worked three jobs this past year at college, and kept close track of my spending. This past year has been especially hard financially with having to buy show clothing/items. I also had a fall during try-outs in the fall that both concussed me and broke my helmet. I was then unable to work/ride for a month. (Although, I still made the team and couldn’t wait to get back on!)

• Social challenges. Being a black equestrian in general is always a challenge. I always felt my skin color living in Vermont but even more so riding at MHC. Although a main attraction of Mount Holyoke is the equestrian center this past year, between all three teams (hunt seat, western, and Dressage) I am one of two black equestrians. The hunt seat and western has more diversity as it draws in many Asian international students but for Dressage, I am the only person of color on my team and very often at shows too.

• Inconsistent availability to ride/Transport. As I do not have a car when on campus, I rely on the bus or a rental car to go ride and spend time with my project lease horse Robyn. During the warmer weather, it is inconvenient as I must schedule around the bus and then walk 30 mins to the barn and another 30 to the bus so as a college student, it takes a big chunk out of my day. My other option is ZipCar which, although I don’t have to pay for gas, I can only afford book it for around 2 hours which is never enough time since it takes 15 minutes to drive there.

If I were to receive the scholarship, part of it would go towards my Dressage Team Fee riding lessons at college. The rest would go towards Robyn, my project lease horse! I would split it between her basic needs as well as things that would help us progress further. For example, I would love to trailer her to my school and have a proper lesson with her and my coach so I can get a second opinion and guidance/direction of what to work with her as well as being able to go out and see her more often.

The money that would go toward the Dressage fee or PE lesson will help me in the future because it would enable me to practice and gain more in saddle experience. Not only that, but by being taught I am able to pick up tips and tricks when I become the instructor. The money that goes towards Robyn is important because as it stands right now, I do not see myself ever making showing a significant part of my life post-graduation. I really enjoy working with green horses and horses who are more challenging, as it can be a very rewarding task. It has helped my confidence grow and has become a way to ride in an environment where the color of my skin is not even a conversation starter. I would love to go into training horses as a profession and working with Robyn has been a step into that world. Back in September, although she has the sweetest ground manners, when I first started riding her, she would back and rear and even just drop and roll and do anything and everything in her power to not be worked. But watching her and helping her improve and enjoy being worked has been a reward bigger than any show prize.