Who have been told, you have no natural talent, who train their asses off just for a judge to overlook you because of the 100k horse trotted passed you… To the ones who have never given up even though you have been repeatedly told that its just a “hobby”. To those who bite their tongue when asked “do you race?” “have you gone to the olympics?” “does the horse do all the work?” and other similar, yet equally annoying questions… Here is a bit of inspiration.

I broke my back from a bad fall a year and a half ago. I have severe arthritis in my lumbar spine, many herniated discs, and irreplaceable damage resulting in a lifetime of chronic back pain. Many doctors have told me never to ride again. But, I managed to get back on my wild beast suffering from a load of mental as well of physical pain. I started on the lunge line and within 6 months I regained confidence and am winning in the 1.20m on a horse that a previous trainer told me “You need to sell him, hes never going to do what you want, he’s always going to be a piece of shit and if you don’t see this, you will never be a trainer.”… I kid you not (AND I WAS PAYING THESE BITCHES?!).

These same trainers I was with for a grand total of 3 months (I moved to go to college in LA forcing me to leave my trainers at home which led me to moving back and continuing with the ones who believed in me) kicked me out of their barn. Why? Because I got a working student job with Gabriella Salick and worked with the Beerbaums who taught me  more than these shit trainers could in a lifetime.  They told me you’re never going to ride like Gaby so quit trying… Which became a heated argument which led to me getting kicked out.

These trainers are now commenting on my facebook congratulating me for my success… Funny how that works?

This scenario might also sound familiar.  I have been shunned by every person in my family at least once because I missed a family event for a horse show, a vet visit, a lesson etc. i remember so vividly the conversation with my brother… ‘ITS A FUCKING HOBBY, YOU ACT LIKE YOU’RE GOING TO THE FUCKING OLYMPICS, ITS A FUCKING HOBBY, THATS IT”.

My brother saw my ride for the first time in 6 years… Needless to say, he all of a sudden claims to be my “biggest supporter”.

Now the biggest fuck you goes out to the people who would not sit on my horse because they thought he was worth shit. Well I went down to Mexico, found this feisty warmblood and I saw talent that nobody else did… You have to do these kind of things when you don’t have a small fortune to go import 6 figure horses that have years of pro training. Yeah his antics led me to a broken back, yeah he has pulled some shit, but sometimes you can’t just say well this didn’t work lets get another one. HE’S ALL I GOT.  So i made it work. He is my best friend and has shown so much potential. I am now having people coming up to me saying “wow you have such a nice horse!” as if it didn’t take 6 days a week of trying to understand him and become a team. These people definitely didn’t say this 2 years ago…

My favorite comment on my horse came from a judge after a Mini Prix. She walks up to me and says “Sarah that was a great round, You did some nice shopping with that horse”.

SHOPPING? SHOPPING?? So all of a sudden you see a nice horse and you presume I bought him this way? SHOPPING?! Really, because I would really like you to see the video of this horse in Mexico with a mane down to his shoulder, ribs showing, and couldn’t get the right lead to save his life.  YES SHOPPING. That’s 6 days a week of blood, sweat, and tears because most people assumed he was the spawn of Satan when he first came to the states.That shit doesn’t happen overnight. Mind you, I had to fix all this with mental and physical trauma.

My point is, now, I am having people come up to me, I’m getting attention from people I never thought would give me the time a day before. No I haven’t “made it” in this sport, but I haven’t given up. I’ve been through hell, and sometimes I think, god, why didn’t I just choose ballet? Well I didn’t. I fell in love with the animals and the sport and never looked back. I’ve realized if I don’t try and be the best at the one thing that matters in my life then I will be a waste of existence.

In December I get to go compete in Norway to represent the USA for intercollegiate riders which in my book, is going somewhere.  No I don’t have the money or miles to go in the GP ring just yet, but i won’t let that stop me. TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY GIVEN. Even if you spend 6 hours a day picking up horse shit from someone who will share with you that knowledge. Money does go along way in this sport, but passion and opportunity can out weight that if you play the cards right.

Like this, reblog this, ignore this. This is just a message to the people who were in my position 6 months ago and to the ones who have been discouraged and ignored.