Through Every Stride

If you win a mare's heart, she'll take you to the moon.

For those of you who don't know my story, let me introduce you to the horse who changed my life.

I met Lilly at my childhood lesson barn, where I had returned as an adult after not riding for about seven years. I had been taking weekly lessons when one day, before my ride, I was told they were trying out a new horse for the program-and I was going to be the tester.

I walked down the barn aisle to a small, dark stall tucked away in the middle, and there she was-these big, curious blue eyes staring at me from the shadows. I remember thinking, "Aww, she's cute."

That October afternoon, I pulled her out and tacked her up. Judging by her confusion, I don't think she had ever seen an English saddle in her life. She just kept looking at me with those same blue eyes, wondering what on earth I was doing.

We rode a short 30-minute lesson. She wasn't anything spectacular that day-no big movements, no flashy moments-but something in my heart knew. There was something special about her. I wanted to spend as much time with her as I possibly could.

She was ultimately rejected from the lesson program because she didn't enjoy working with children (honestly, can't blame her). A month or two later, I ended up leasing her for an extremely low rate-something I will forever be grateful for, especially as a broke college kid in need of a safe ride.

And that... is how I accidentally ended up with my dream horse.

I leased Lilly for two years and finally purchased her in December 2021, right after graduating college. At the time, my only goal was to have a quiet trail partner. But life had other plans.

Eventually, I moved on from that childhood barn and found the trainer and barn family I'm so grateful for today. Lilly also brought me some amazing people-Ashley Anderson, who knew her even before I did, and Shanna Stenson, who has always believed in us as a team.

All this to say: when a horse feels your love and effort, they give it back in ways you never imagined.

Lilly is, without a doubt, the best thing to ever happen to me. She's brought incredible people into my life, reignited my passion for horses, and introduced me to the beautiful discipline of dressage. She lets me dress her in all the pink and glitter (and I think she secretly loves it), and she's taken me to places I never thought I'd go.

To the sweetest mare a girl could ever dream of-thank you.

You've made that little horse-crazy girl's dreams come true.