Category: OYES Feature

Cora is the Winter 2022 recipient of the Inaugural OYES Eventing Award, sponsored by Savanna’s Sweet Horse Treats.

I was very fortunate to start riding at a young age when I was a child in Pennsylvania. I absolutely loved the horses and the riding, but I HATED the racist and barn culture that permeated the sport. When I was in college, I was fortunate enough to stumble across the endurance community during the COVID lockdown when I was desperate for anything to do, and I was pleasantly surprised when they welcomed me with open arms despite my skin color. Unfortunately, my work schedule does not allow for endurance conditioning during the school year, but I was fortunate to find a trainer/ally nearby who coaches eventing. Additionally, because of my physical disabilities, I realized if I fell off a horse 10 miles from my check point, I would be stranded, given the fact that walking is not my best skill.

I am a person with big dreams, and I want to compete on a USEF level in eventing or showjumping. I currently am taking regular lessons and lease a horse, however there are financial limitations that prevent me from taking lessons as often as I would like.

As a para rider, I have personal beef with the para riding classification system and the fact that all para rides are relegated to dressage, which, no hate on dressage, is not my interest. Every disability is unique as a fingerprint, and I want to prove that a rider with disabilities can compete and be successful in any variety of disciplines (even if they are not classed para riders competing in para divisions).

I am also re-learning how to ride due to a complex spinal cord injury called Syringomyelia. In layman’s terms, I have a cyst growing inside my cervical spinal cord which impacts my motor function, muscle strength, coordination, and more. I have found some amazing adaptations (such as looped reins and magnetic stirrups), but ultimately, I just need more hours in the saddle to rebuild muscle memory.

While I make a respectable income in my job, I am still a teacher who has significant medical costs. If I were awarded this scholarship, I would be able to pay for 11 lessons with my trainer (Amy Silvera Olson) which is huge in regards to rebuilding muscle memory and strength in the areas that have been impacted by my spinal cord injury. That would be in addition to the lessons I am already taking, majorly increasing the frequency of my training.

My short-term goal is to compete in the 2022 summer show season, and while I may not be the winner at any of these events, I want to make an important point that just because an individual is in a wheelchair or has physical disabilities does not mean they are any less capable of participating in the sport.

Jay is the recipient of the Winter 2022 Platinum Stables Hunter Jumper Excellence Award, sponsored by the Rohr family.

The moment I first sat in a saddle changed my entire future in a matter of seconds. At the age of 6, I started my equestrian career with a 24-year-old Quarter Horse gelding who took good care of me. Over the years, I have grown and changed immensely as a rider. Unfortunately, I seem to have hit a standstill in my riding career and need a bit of assistance to achieve my goals.

I am a 17-year-old transgender male in the small town of Milton, WI. I was originally born in Upstate New York, where I lived until I was 10. My family then moved to Wisconsin due to my father being transferred to his current job. I’ve been at many different stables and have ridden a large variety of horses. I am currently riding with a local college student and doing small shows with her mother’s horse, Chewbakka Bahim, an Arabian gelding. We compete in small, local shows in hunter rail classes and western pleasure classes, along with halter and showmanship. My ultimate dream in the near future is to either find a Morgan or Arabian breed-specific stable to ride with or compete at a breed-circuit show. I would also like to successfully get over my anxiety about cantering English at shows.

My equestrian career has been a very bumpy one. I am officially diagnosed with anxiety, depression, sensory processing disorder, PTSD, BPD, and I am trying to have autism testing done. As one could imagine, these all greatly affect me in and out of the saddle. At 10 years old in my first horse show, I was riding with a saddleseat barn that did not teach safety in the saddle. In the ring, my right foot fell out of my stirrup at the trot, and I did not know what to do. I fell, broke my right humerus and was rushed to the ER in an ambulance in front of hundreds. This event has given me PTSD that comes up at competitions. At shows, I am very anxious and feel unstable riding in the ring. I’ve fallen other times at shows, all in an English saddle. This is where my strong fear of riding English in shows comes from.

Along with struggling with my mental health, being an LGBT+ rider in a conservative area is not easy. I am stared at, mocked, and sometimes even placed poorly due to my identity. I am currently vice president of my high school’s GSA to help other students and educate others about our community. Finally, where I am located, we do not have many Arabian or Morgan horse stables within a reasonable distance. There are some about an hour away, but my parents are my transportation and do not want to drive the distance. This means I am limited in stables to train and show with. I am currently unable to drive myself. My current trainer is wonderful, but as a college student with only 4 horses for lessons, she is limited in what she can help me accomplish. I feel I am ready to accomplish more and achieve my goals.

As an LGBT+ and mentally ill rider of over 10 years, my riding journey has been an interesting one. I have gained lots of knowledge and experience over the years with many different people. Receiving a scholarship would help me in many ways including paying fees, making new connections, and getting advice from other equestrians. I look forward to representing the LGBT+ community in my area and bettering my equestrian skills this upcoming show season.

Kristen is the Winter 2022 OYES Scholarship Award Winner, sponsored by Mare Goods.

Howdy hey! My name is Kirsten Polk, I’m nineteen years old, and I was born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas. At the age of nine, I started volunteering and riding at Whispers of Hope Horse Farm, a therapeutic riding facility three minutes away from my house. After school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I would rush to the barn and help with the therapeutic sessions either as a horse handler or a sidewalker. In that arena, I found my passion for working with children of all ages, with or without physical or mental disabilities. From there, I became active in my local 4-H chapter showing horses, competing in various competitions, serving as a livestock ambassador, and holding several office positions, including but not limited to President and Vice President. Two highlights of my 4-H career include being the first African American to win a District 3 4-H Horse Show title and being a member of an all-girls team to win the 2019 Swine Quiz Bowl Contest at the Texas 4-H Roundup. 

When I was a freshman in high school, I joined the local Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter. Through FFA, I showed pigs, lambs, goats, horses, in addition to serving as a chapter officer for three years and a member of the horse judging team for four. Horse judging was where I really found my stride, earning several Hi-Point Individuals and top ten finishes across the state, including a top ten finish out of 897 individuals at the Tarleton Invitational. I continued my horse judging career into college. I went on to win Hi-Point Limited Individual in the collegiate division at the AQHA World Show in November of 2021. I still have one more year left of eligibility, and I am excited to see where it takes me. My current riding goals are to gain enough experience to show on the Texas A&M University – Commerce’s stock horse team. I have big dreams of competing and finishing in the top ten at the VRH World Show, AQHA World, and the SHTX World Show. 

But life hasn’t always been rosy for me. In 2018, after my aforementioned win at the District 3 Horse Show, my grandparents went through a nasty divorce a week before the Texas 4H State Horse Show. My grandma was forced to come live with us, and it put a financial and mental strain on the entire family. After practicing so hard, I was unable to attend the state show, and at the time, it felt like the end of the world. However, my bad luck did not end there. Later in the season, two weeks before one of the season’s biggest shows, Rusty coliced and passed away suddenly. To this day, I still haven’t found a horse that I have a connection with and want to show.

Being a young, African American woman in this industry certainly has been a feat. I’ve experienced blatant exclusion and racial discrimination firsthand at a young age that I would wish not upon anyone. But those experiences only fueled my drive and made me work harder to look my best and be the best at all times. Currently, I juggle being a full-time college student, TAMUC horse judging team member, and working part-time. Between tuition, everyday expenses, and bills, I’m saving to pay for show fees, stalls, and other related costs. Being a recipient of the Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship would be a tremendous help in lifting some of that financial burden. $500 out of $600 will go towards the mandatory Texas A&M Commerce Stock Horse show team fee. This money covers practices three times a week with the coach Mr. Nathan Wells, entries to four SHTX shows, and hotel fees. The remaining $100 will go towards travel expenses such as food and hotel costs accumulated during the spring horse judging season.

In the next seven years, I plan on having my degree in Masters of Science in Counseling and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in the Dallas area. So far, I am in my second year of college and in my first semester of actual counseling-related courses. I still plan on being very active in the 4-H/ FFA community of whatever county I live in, as a volunteer, horse judging coach, and scholarship donor. I also plan to continue showing stock horses and eventually venture on to the All-Around and English events.

Abbey is the Fall 2021 OYES Microburst Pony Rider awardee, sponsored by an anonymous donor.

Hello! I’m Abbey, 21, and I own Cookie, my 2010 paint mare. I just moved from Pittsburgh to El Centro, Calif., earlier this year where I scored my dream job training and barrel racing full time. I first started riding when I was really young, probably around 4 years old on a family friend’s farm, but I started actual lessons at 9 years old. I met my now best friend, Jessica, at a store in the mall who mentioned 4-H and horse lessons. I ended up leasing her horse and joining 4-H!

My current riding goals are to get Cookie legged up after enjoying a much-needed break before moving across the country with me, and to get her working as well as all of the other training and personal horses on the pattern. I also want to get some of the other training horses ready to list for sale ASAP. We want to have our barrel horses ready by next year to be entered in futurities and then move to PCRA/WPRA rodeos and eventually qualify for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).

My ultimate goal is to make it to the NFR. I also would like to do some futurities first before the horses age out. Some of our personal horses are eligible for the Pink buckle, Ruby buckle, etc.

I would say I’m very close! I just moved across the country to make this possible. Thanks to an amazing mentor through this program, I was able to find this job where I am training and exercising horses as well as barrel racing full time. It is going to take some time and hard work to get the horses ready first. Lots of long hours riding, colt breaking, etc.

I want to continue to support my community and be an advocate for equality and human rights. I am passionate about making the rodeo world a safe place for all. I want others to know it’s possible to achieve your dreams and goals no matter what.

I have definitely had to find a way to afford my hobby on my own without financial assistance. Lots of working long hours, multiple jobs, etc. The move for this job really impacted me financially and set me back, but I know it will be worth it in the end. I have also had to deal with a lot of homophobia in the barrel racing world. Constant hate comments and messages online, as well as having to hide things like that in person or in public. I am an advocate for equality and human rights and want to continue that the whole way to the top. No matter how hard it is or how much it takes, I want to be someone others can look up to who also struggle with similar things and just being a good role model in general. I want kids and people to know that dreams can happen even if you come from nothing. There is always a way.

Kayla is the Fall 2021 OYES Dream It awardee.

Hi, my name is Kayla Murray, and I am a full-time third year, second semester State University of New York (SUNY) at Cobleskill student. I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, but I did not begin here; far from it to be honest. I started out my college career in the equine studies associates’ applied science program in the fall of 2019 at SUNY Cobleskill with the mindset that two years was plenty of school for an aspiring horse trainer. Looking back, I could not have been more wrong. While I absolutely could find a relatively comfortable position in the equine field with a basic two-year degree, I do not wish to be comfortable. I want to make an impact on the world through both human and equine partners alike. I pushed through my comfort zone, and after successfully completing my associate degree as the highest GPA holder in Equine Studies, I have decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences with a focus in equine through SUNY Cobleskill.

I became involved with riding at eight years old while on a drive with my father and younger sister through our small town of Mooers, N.Y. We had passed by a smaller local equine barn as a riding lesson was going on, and from that point my life changed forever. I took my first riding lesson from that very barn and instructor a few days later. My love for the animal and the sport was forever going to be unstoppable.

My current riding goals have changed since this first lesson as I have refocused my time and energy from western pleasure to the adrenaline-pumping barrel racing field. I am confident that through this field I can make a difference in equine lives and better the way we as humans approach this sport.

I am an aspiring equine trainer looking to revolutionize the way we breed and train these incredible animals for the sport we all love, focusing primarily on the barrel racing industry. I believe I am on my way to acquiring these goals by absorbing all the knowledge I can from everywhere and anyone, but I am aware of the time and effort it takes to get there. I believe in trusting the process and doing everything that I can to reach my goals.

I have faced many challenges in my career as a young horse woman in this industry, and I realize the challenges will never stop. It’s about persevering and playing the cards that your hand holds wisely. I am the only equine enthusiast in my immediate family which makes it hard to relay just how important weekly lessons are or making sure my horse is in the best care possible. For the last three summers, I have independently looked for small horse trailers to rent so that I could attend barrel races and gymkhanas. However, I have faced lacking the finances to make some barrel races and shows or skipping a McDonald’s dinner so that I could cover gas on the way home from a show.

My parents have been incredible supporters, but I could never ask them to exclusively fund me while paying for my college, permanently relocating south, and contributing a large chunk of money into my younger sister’s private college down south as well. Therefore, I stepped up and have worked since I was physically able to afford what I do and keep my horse healthy and happy, all while attending high school and college. However, through all these challenges, I see opportunities to humble myself and learn from experiences to improve.

If awarded the scholarship funds, my plan is to set aside $100 for entry fees towards the

2022 season, while the remaining $500 would go towards buying a project horse as a resell project. I have chosen this approach for two reasons: one being that I can showcase my abilities as an equine trainer with an animal I lack history with. The second reason is to offer this horse a real chance at a brighter future. I am a firm believer in the theory that the best thing you can do for an animal, specifically a horse, is to train it. I am hoping to use these funds to purchase a horse that appears to have no purpose, when in reality it may just need direction. Like I mentioned earlier, my hope is to impact the world, both human and horse. “Saving one animal won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one animal.” I believe that directly pertains to this situation, and I think that it would be an exceptional way to use the award money.

My hope is to set this horse up for success by starting it, training it, and finding a wonderful full-time home for it after I believe it to be the perfect partner for an approved home. All the while, this process also helps me establish my name, and training abilities in the horse industry as an aspiring horse trainer.

Megan is the Fall 2021 OYES Horse Show awardee sponsored by Dreamers & Schemers.

My name is Megan Rollins, and I am a 17-year-old equestrian in St. Albans, W.Va. I’ve been in love with horses for as long as I can remember, and I first started my journey in the equine industry in May 2017. Since then, I’ve challenged myself with training and riding as many horses as possible and learning anything and everything I possibly can to become the equestrian I aspire to be. I currently have several horse-related goals, my biggest ones being training rescue horses while learning more about the management aspect of running a rescue and shadowing a professional trainer. Some of my smaller goals I’d love to accomplish include getting more experience in the racking horse world (especially speed racking), catch riding/training more horses and getting into the show ring more. A few of these goals were pushed back for a while, but thanks to Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship and the “Horse Show Award” from the last round this summer, I was able to show for the first time in September at a local show. I showed two racking horses I had never met before until the day of the show and ended up with a second place in my juvenile extended gait class. After the unforgettable day and experiences I had thanks to OYES, I found a new passion, and I reconsidered what I wanted to do with horses. It made me realize I really do want to get more serious about riding racking horses. I don’t just want to do it for fun anymore. I want to learn more and get good at it. I never would have had the opportunity or been inspired like that had it not been for OYES and the award I received this summer. I’m so, so grateful, and I can’t wait to see where my journey will take me because of it.

As for future dreams and plans, I hope to eventually run a boarding, training, lesson and sales barn, specializing in training rescue horses. I am also working hard towards purchasing another horse to compete and trail ride with as I haven’t owned since my heart horse, Major, passed at three years old in July 2018. Owning again is really my biggest goal, but I know that it just isn’t reasonable at this time. This is why I want to better myself as much as I can before I am finally able make that dream come true. Until that day comes, I will continue to educate myself as well as work as a stable hand and pet sitter to make sure I am fully prepared.

I would say some of my biggest struggles have been financial. So many things in this sport revolve around how much money you have (or don’t have). Many people will tell you if you don’t have money, you won’t get anywhere and that you shouldn’t waste your time. It is insane how much things cost in equestrian sports today. As a teenager who only has so many hours available after school and on weekends to work, as well as someone who didn’t grow up in a horse-oriented family, this has been a big struggle. My parents are extremely supportive, but they have also always taught me that if I want something, I have to work for it. Sometimes, there just isn’t enough time to make the money I need for riding. And, because I am the only person in my family who rides, I rarely get instruction or help from anyone unless I can afford lessons.

I have also struggled with mental health challenges, especially after Major passed. Since then, it’s been one thing after another. One month after Major passed, a horse I had worked with since the very beginning, Ella, passed. The horse who helped me heal after Major and Ella, and my other heart horse who I had fostered for two years, Legacy, was then moved without warning to a different foster location, and I haven’t seen her since. After that, I tried working with three more horses, each time the horse leaving for a new foster home (after I had said I was willing to foster them). Then, after much consideration, I left the rescue. It absolutely broke my heart to leave the past three years behind, but it ended up being for the best. I still found a way around though, and everything was going great for a while. I was giving lessons. I was training and riding several horses a day. I was even fostering a feral colt for a program through the rescue at a different foster location. But just when things started going right, the lease to the barn was given up unexpectedly. Training and riding horses was gone. Giving lessons was no longer an option. My foster horse who I taught from the ground up left for a new foster home hours away from me. Everything was shut down. Several special horses have passed within that time, too, which unfortunately, is a part of rescue, and is a downside of working with and loving so many horses. All of this has been exhausting, especially on top of my mental health not being so good to begin with.

However, horses are sometimes the only thing keeping me going, and I’m nowhere near ready to give up just because it’s hard. My love for horses, training, and rescue has also inspired me to try and make a living out of my passion. I found that Potomac State University in Keyser, W.Va., has a Sustainable Agricultural Entrepreneurship (SAGE) program with a focus in equine management. I ended up taking a tour of the campus, and I think I would love it there, especially after talking with some of the students from the SAGE program who also ride. The SAGE program and the focus in equine management seems like something that I’ll really enjoy and help me accomplish my goals and dreams. That’s why I hope to get accepted into Potomac State and start attending school there in Fall 2022. With this program and a degree in applied science, I can do so many different things with my life, including running my own barn and helping horses in need.

Through Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship, I am hoping to connect with people who can help me learn more about racking horses and people who can help me find opportunities to ride more horses and get more hands-on experience. While my goal is to get into speed racking, I’d also love the opportunity to ride performance/padded horses as it doesn’t seem to be a common discipline where I’m from, and I think I would have fun with it. I am willing to try anything though and simply want to learn as much as I can! OYES has helped me tremendously in just a short amount of time. Without your help from the last round of scholarships, I never would have had the opportunity to show. I never would have had the opportunity to compete alongside some of my closest friends. I never would have found my new passion. There are so many things that I would have missed out on had it not been for OYES.

Holly is the Fall 2021 OYES Travel Fund Awardee.

My name is Holly Lovejoy, and I am a 21-year-old grade 1 para equestrian with cerebral palsy, ADHD and bipolar disorder. I was first introduced to horses through hippotherapy as a toddler, and it has been an endless love affair ever since. Horses have become my life, my way of accepting myself and my reason to chase success. I was classified as a grade 1 para equestrian at the age of 13 and have kept my eyes on the goal of becoming a Paralympian.

I am currently riding the Elite level tests and preparing for my first National Championship in October 2021. That Championship should act as the stepping stone to prepare for my International debut in 2022.

Riding has always been my way of making sense of myself and moving through life. I was introduced to riding through hippotherapy as a toddler, and it became the only therapy I would tolerate. As a disabled child and one in a set of premature triplets, horses became my outlet for independence. On a horse, I could balance myself both physically and emotionally. Discovering the Paralympic Games and connecting with horses opened a door to my future. With a manic dream flying high and the insatiable drive to ride at the highest levels, I was inspired to develop the skills to do so no matter what. Though we lack funds due to our family situation, I’ve never let that dampen my ambitions. Horses became my do-or-die and my way to comprehend and accept a situation I hardly wanted to fathom. Despite constant financial and logistical challenges, I continue to push boundaries, make connections with the world and pave my way to gold. Through chronic pain and doubts of every kind, I use riding as a means to improve my quality of life and change my outlook on the world as a disabled individual. Horses have given me a way to love myself and this fairytale of a life that I am beginning to live. Viewing myself as an athlete has allowed me to examine my health needs through a new, more positive lens. I have taken my physical therapy into my own hands and continue to search out the best of opportunities with my incredible team. I refuse to let myself be counted out as a future member of Team USA. I want to show the world that a broke, “crazy” disabled woman can beat the odds and ride under the lights with the best of them.

I plan to use my funds towards my first National Championship which will be the inaugural National Dressage Pony Cup for the West Coast. I am coached by Tracey Hill, and the show is located at the beautiful Starr Vaughn Equestrian in Elk Grove, Calif. I feel beyond lucky to be finally competing at this elite level. Without the endless, creative support of my team, it would not be possible.

Mia is the Fall 2021 Dressage Dreamer Awardee, sponsored by Optimum Equine.

First generation American, daughter of a refugee, wheelchair user, advocate, assault survivor, unashamed. Mia Rodier-Dawallo is a Grade II, international Para Dressage competitor, a Persian-American, a survivor, and a rising star. She is ranked 3rd in the FEI World Individual Ranking in her grade for Team USA, and she is well on her way to making her dreams of Olympic proportions come true. 

Although Mia, a lifelong rider, has made it to where she is today, she is insistent on giving thanks to her amazing community of family, friends, and teammates, (including those of the four-legged kind) at every step of the way. Her road to the Olympics has been a long one, paved with perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and exercising gratitude, patience, and perspective. In 2013, her life changed forever when she survived a brutal assault. Mia is very open about her mental and physical health and shares her experience with surviving assault saying, “People think that ‘surviving assault’ is just staying alive through being attacked, but the reality of the situation is that the real fighting for your life comes after. Fighting for your life after trauma comes in the form of living life through victim blaming; through coming to terms with your newly different and permanently disabled body; through learning to love yourself unconditionally; being patient with your brain while you struggle with brain fog, confusion, and fatigue; and being patient with your heart while you learn to manage the symptoms of your PTSD. This gave me a whole new perspective on life and gratitude. There were a few days where I wasn’t sure that I would live to see another day. But with a lot of work, I am thankful for every moment that I am alive. I am thankful not only that I have a future but that it has been made so bright by the people in my life. I have survived everything life has thrown at me to make it to exactly where I am meant to be, today.”

Outside of her Dressage career, she has been an avid advocate for the intersectional rights of marginalized people, women, people of color, the disability community, and low-income communities, amongst other causes. These causes are especially personal to her because she checks every box. As a child of an immigrant family, being a first generation American, Muslim and Baháʼí family, growing up in a post 9/11 world, life has been a slippery slope. She speaks, in length, about the triumphs and tribulations of what life is like for a young, brown girl, living in a country whose culture is so vastly different than that of the home she grew up in: to feel unseen, invisible, but still a threat. When you compound that with a stark lack of representation in popular culture and the public eye as a whole, we have a serious diversity problem on our hands. When you grow up to realize that most of the representation of the people who look, talk, and act like you consists of terrorists and “Apu”- type caricatures, it’s no wonder there are so many close-minded, preconceived notions. As Jen Richards said, “There is a one-word solution to media representation: more. Then, the occasional clumsy representation wouldn’t matter as much because it wouldn’t be all that there is.” We need more beautiful Black and brown faces in places that have been historically white; namely, the equestrian world.

    This brings us to Dressage, and more specifically, Para Dressage. The “Para” in Para Dressage is short for parallel to signify equality between Dressage and Para Dressage. However, although Para Dressage athletes pour their blood, sweat, and tears into this passion, Para Dressage still seems to be an unknown sport altogether to a majority of the world, especially when compared to the mainstream international popularity of Dressage in general. It is hard to ignore the implication of implicit ableism that tinges the air in which the words “para” dare be uttered and dismissed. Mia goes on to state that, “with each layer of marginalization, it is almost like the world adds a weight to your back. This makes it so that you have to work twice as hard to get half as far as those who carry nothing on their back. This is the burden of POC, the burden of immigrants, the burden of the disabled, the burden of women, and the burden of those who don’t know where their next meal might come from.” This is very true of Para Dressage riders in general, but especially POC and low-income Para Dressage riders such as Mia. But what is the solution in a sport that is prohibitively expensive to many and invisible to even more? When there is no visibility, you are essentially training people to be unaware. Mia’s dreams and goals are to be the first ever person of color to compete in The Olympic and Paralympic Games in her sport. You heard that right, thus far, in this sport’s hundreds of years of history, there have been none. With just over a year until the World Equestrian Games in Denmark and a little over three years to go before the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, she has big dreams and the talent to match. In steps Patty Mayer (Bailiwick House and Patty Mayer Dressage), Robyn Fisher (of R Farms Eventing and Dressage), Michel Assouline (Team USA Para Dressage Head Coach), Hope Hand (Paralympian and President of the United States Para Equestrian Association), and Laureen Johnson (Director of Para-Equestrian and Vaulting) to make those dreams come true. 

As for Patty Mayer, she is the one who started it all. She has provided the training, networking, experience, and expertise to really catapult Mia’s career to full speed. Bailiwick House is where Mia began to form her string of champion horses provided by the syndicate of amazing women made up of Patty, her clients, and notably, Lynn Scheck. Those horses are Cato, a 14-year-old Bay Grand Prix Dutch Warmblood gelding; Kai, a chestnut six-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion; and most ostentatious of all, Maddox, a 14-year-old Pinto Vanner with one blue eye and white feathers. Between the three of these promising horses, they possess more cunning, kindness, and determination of a whole herd, and then some! 

Through Patty, Mia had the honor and pleasure of being introduced to Robyn Fisher. Robyn has given Mia the opportunity of a lifetime to ride and compete on Jayden, aka Pudding, a six-year-old KWPN gelding whose big heart and charm is matched only by his skill, passion, and promise. These are the horses that will be taking Mia on her Team USA journey and making dreams come true. 

As for Assouline, Hand, and Johnson, they have completely revolutionized the sport via borrowed horse programs, networking, and programs that foster diversity and inclusivity. Recently, the USEF and FEI updated their rules to include more room for expressing yourself when it comes to protesting injustice and being vocal about social justice issues. Mia hopes these changes will make more room for open discussions on issues like race and privilege as well as creating a safe(r) space for Black and brown voices to be heard. Mia is well aware that discussions on inequality and disrupting the status quo can be uncomfortable after long periods of silence, but progress can feel uncomfortable, and that is a good sign. Mia quotes Robin DiAngelo, author of one of her favorite books “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism,” “For white people and systems who have just recently recognized their own complicity in America’s racist systems and are looking to ‘fix’ that, it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s a little bit like saying ‘I want to be in shape tomorrow.’ This is going to be a process.” In the wise words of Beyoncé, “It’s been said that racism is so American that when we protest racism, some assume we’re protesting America.” Wise words from wise women. Although there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to diversity and inclusivity, Mia is confident that these recent shifts in policy and ideals are a wonderful change and a great start. This is what the face of progress looks like, and Mia is confident this is only the beginning.

It is easy to feel invisible when you don’t fit the mold, and it is even easier to feel erased when your sport, your struggle, and your generational trauma is invisible too. But Mia speaks fondly about words of wisdom she has received from her “Baba” through actions and the wise words of Rumi. Her favorite being, “تو با بال به دنیا آمدی. شما هرگز در زندگی نخواهید خزید.” “You were born with wings. You will never crawl through life.”

Even though she may have had to work twice as hard in life when compared to her more privileged peers, this has taught her to be a fighter. We have no doubt that she will excel at all of her goals and endeavors to come; continue to overcome each obstacle with grace; and be a role model for all young girls of color when we see her face in Denmark 2022/Paris 2024/LA 2028 representing her country amongst the best and brightest.

The A Circuit – synonymous with gorgeously turned out hunters that equal the cost of a small house and girls wearing breeches more expensive than my lessons for a month. At least, that is the answer I would have given if I was asked my knowledge on it a little over two years ago, when showing at rated shows was only something I could dream about while living vicariously through the glossy feeds of juniors on social media.

The version of myself that sits typing in front of my laptop would give you a contrastingly different answer, one which involves lifelong friendships, a ridiculously supportive family, two four-hooved partners who have reshaped my world, and of course, a buttload of hard work.

I first plunged into the horse world by chance at age 7, but what makes my riding story unique is how it breaks the tradition of the typical ‘moving up through the pony divisions’ background that many of my competitors have. Up until March of 2019, I was riding on a weekly basis at riding schools, including a brief stint in eventing. While this meant I did not have access
to high caliber training or exposure to the show ring from an early age, it gave me the opportunity to ride a variety of horses and instilled a deep sense of gratitude which remains with me today. From taking a freshly off the track thoroughbred over her first jump to getting the barn’s resident stopper over fences, I relished every learning opportunity I could get my hands on during these first 7 years of my riding career.

In 2019, my extremely wonderful and hardworking parents made the decision (and sacrifice) that would ultimately change my life for the better. In a turn of events that still sometimes makes me pinch myself, they committed to supporting me as I pursued my dream to compete on the A Circuit. While this may not seem like a big deal to some, coming from an immigrant family who had to fight tooth and nail for what we have now, this decision was not one which I took lightly, and I promised myself that as soon as I was able, I would make it my responsibility to cover as many costs of riding as possible. Due to this, I am very grateful to be able to work two part time jobs as a retail associate at a tack store and the barn while balancing a rigorous high school curriculum in order to cover riding expenses.

Recent events from this year have shed light on a large issue within my beloved sport – the lack of diversity. I like to joke with my friends about how easy it is to spot me on the showgrounds, being one of very few Asian riders on the circuit. Rather than having this lack of representation discourage me from pursuing the sport, I actively work to promote increased diversity through advocacy in person, and embedding it throughout my social media.

Having moved to Canada from China at the age of 5, I am proud of my Asian heritage, and am known to promote the sport to fellow young Asian Canadians in hopes that they will one day help me work towards increased acceptance and diversity in equestrian sport.

This season, I competed in the 1.20m jumper division with my horse, Klaas Klever and am currently ranked 4th in Ontario for it. Our results have qualified us for both the provincial and national finals, which I will be attending this October and November. Next season, I am set to compete in the Modified Grand Prix with him, along with the Big Eq and Pro Derby divisions on my other horse, Lotus HT. I also feel extremely fortunate to have been selected as 1 of 24 members of Ontario Equestrian’s GRIT team, a high-performance development program aimed to help competitors reach podium goals with the help of Olympians, nutritionists, and fitness professionals. Towards the future, I am actively pursuing goals to represent Canada on the Young Riders Team and later, Nations Cups Grand Prix. Although unconventional, my riding journey has taught me to be a resilient problem-solver, and I have come to truly appreciate the obstacles I have had to overcome as they have taught me priceless life lessons.

My riding journey began at age 10, while I was spending a large amount of time at the Seattle Children’s Hospital to determine what was causing my severe health issues. I was granted a scholarship to attend a summer pony camp where I found myself and discovered the therapeutic benefits of being around horses. Upon returning home, I called every single stable listed in the phone book until I found one that would let me clean stalls in exchange for lessons.

Over the next several years, I was a working student at many barns, studied classical dressage, hunters, jumpers, and eventing, volunteered at a therapeutic riding program, retrained OTTBs, and taught lessons. Horses have been the focus and saving grace in my life as I have fought through physical disability, mental health challenges, abuse, assault, and sex trafficking, homelessness, and recovery.

I live with a combination of balance disorders called Vestibular Migraine and Meniere’s Disease. Both cause severe vertigo, imbalance, nausea, and hearing loss. For a period, I was wheelchair bound and have spent many months bedbound as well. At times, I use walking sticks for balance support. Doctors initially told me I would never ride horses again. When I am at the barn, my horse knows when I am feeling dizzy and patiently lets me lean on her. However, I am largely able to get around on foot except when the episodes strike. In the saddle, I have found that the increasing symptoms over the years have changed my proprioception in such a way that I struggle with some of the things that used to be very easy, like diagonals and seeing distances. I am confident walk/trot/canter and have popped over some very small jumps, but I need to regain confidence and foundational skills.

One major result of these disorders is that I am unable to drive. Because of this, I must pay a premium to have my horse located in the city, where I can bike to her. I also must factor the cost of transportation through rideshare apps in my lesson and showing budget. As a low-income person who comes from an extremely poor family, this has been a significant barrier. I also live with Bipolar 1 disorder, anxiety disorder, and C-PTSD, which has led to several hospitalizations. I’ve worked hard in therapy and have identified the grounding, mindful feedback from horses to be a key element in my overall wellness. When I spend time with my horse, I know I am in a safe place, but I also know that I must take responsibility for my verbal and nonverbal behavior and react intentionally.

I currently live in Olympia, Washington where I work in mental health and substance use recovery services for a nonprofit called Peer Olympia. I am working on my master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and am expected to graduate in May 2023. I hope to obtain PATH Int. and HERD Institute certification to provide equine assisted psychotherapy services post-graduation. I am especially interested in developing peer-focused equine therapy programs as I believe deeply in the value of peer work. I have a beautiful OTTB I retrained prior to my vertigo reaching its peak who I am lucky to be able to keep, though I am struggling to afford anything beyond her basic care and vetting.

As far as my riding career goes, I have an ultimate dream of showing my horse at one of the Cascade Horse Shows hunter shows in 2023. Even if we are only able to do a cross-rail course, it would bring me immeasurable joy. I feel that I need to take some lessons on a simple, schoolmaster type hunter to regain confidence after years of struggling with balance.