Submission by: Jennifer Staib
I will attest to the fact that I knew absolutely nothing about horses when my 9-year-old daughter attended her first 4-day, horseback riding summer camp. Pack a lunch, apply sunscreen, wear long pants and some type of boot, sign a waiver and off we go. Little did I know that my husband and I were about to launch into a lifetime of conversation about horses!
To be honest, I’ve never been so passionate about a sport as my daughter, Katie. I believe athletics is an amazing outlet for kids. Whether it’s learning the roles and responsibilities of playing on a team or striving to reach individual goals, sports play a critical role in the physical and emotional development of our children. Katie had been a soccer player for 4 years and she gave it up for the love of horses.
I guess our first life lesson in this equestrian journey was all about safety. The expectation was that our daughter came prepared with a helmet and proper footwear to every lesson. We learned about the risks of injury when participating in equine sports and how to responsibly hold and handle the horses as we walked to/from the pastures and the barn.
The second big lesson was a giant game of “Name that Tack”! Hoof pick, curry comb, brush, sweat scraper, lead rope, halter, girth, saddle, saddle pad, reins, stirrups, bit… and this was the easy stuff! I can hear you laughing. But her very first trainer believed that the riders were first and foremost, responsible for the health and safety of the horses. Many lessons were spent learning how to properly groom a horse and cool it down after a ride.
As time went on and her passion grew, we continued learning. We learned about different disciplines: hunters, jumpers, and dressage. We learned about equine vaccinations, farriers, and dentists. Did you know that there’s such a thing as equine chiropractors and massage therapists? It blew my mind! I’ve had “tension in my pole” for years!
I make light of the early days of Katie’s equestrian pursuits but in full disclosure, I can’t imagine the last 10 years without horses being in our lives. Her passion has become a family affair and we have grown closer because of it.
While other girls were getting pulled into the drama of school cliques and social media posts, my husband and I spent quality time talking with her while driving to and from countless lessons and working student opportunities. My daughter was mucking a stall, feeding hay, jumping fence poles and baking molasses treats for her favorite horses. She learned how to manage her time, complete homework assignments and attend to the various medical needs of her pony. She built friendships with young riders and retired riders. She learned how to communicate effectively with veterinarians and she sought out opportunities to audit and attend clinics. Her drive for understanding and excellence has helped her achieve her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals. This journey has led her to being a junior board member of the LVDA, and a national scholarship recipient of The Dressage Foundation’s Young Rider Dream Program.
And today, she has partnered with her sister to bring together the entire equine community to celebrate and connect the professionals that serve our beloved horses. As parents, we are so thankful for that little 4-day horseback riding camp.