Written by Intern Caroline Gomez
My name is Caroline Gomez, and I have been riding for ten years. I grew up in South Carolina, and lived there for 15 years, and just recently moved to Texas two years ago. I started riding at a small lesson barn when I was about seven, and I rode two lesson horses a horse named Amazing, and a lesson pony named Bud whom at the time tested me quite often. I remember being terrified to canter, and my trainer would be yelling at me to canter, and I just blocked it out and kept trotting around. I finally put fear behind me and learned how to canter. My trainer then told me to stop cantering because Bud was so tired, and I just kept on going! I started competing at a different barn once I got the basics and my first few shows under my belt. There was one specific horse that truthfully made my love and passion for horses a part of me that would be with me forever. That special horse was Raggus, also known as Carolina Moon in the show ring. Raggus and I shared some incredible moments together while we were in and out of the show ring. Raggus always knew and still does know his Job, and took care of me always. I never remember being scared or uncomfortable on him, but what I do remember is being brave and feeling blessed. We all know that there are once in a lifetimes, and he was one of them. Raggus carried me around my first derby in Camden, South Carolina at the South Carolina Equine Park in 2013 where he placed us 4th out of 33 entries. I remember feeling very nervous, and ready to give it my all. Raggus was one of those horses who I felt like you could put into autopilot and he would just go, and see all of the distances before you could even tell. Today, Raggus is retired at my grandparents stable and is enjoying green grass, and hanging out with his fellow horse mates. When I moved in Texas in 2015 I decided to take a year off from riding to adjust to my new school and new environment. I quickly learned I missed riding so much, and couldn't help but go look for a new barn to start riding at. My mom and I sat down and discussed what my future goals for me as a rider would be, and we quickly got on the search for a show barn. I was looking forward to a fresh start and a new era for my riding career. I am riding at Woodhill Farm with trainers, Matt Cyphert and Kelley Buringa. When I first started at Woodhill, I only had two lessons and then went and looked for a new horse. I was really nervous to see if I could catch on to what I had learned over the years, and I was interested to see if it would all come back, and feel like it had never left me for a year. When I tried the horse I have now all of my nerves had gone away and it felt like I had never left it. The horse I tried was Tinsel also known as The Tin Man ES. I have now had Tinsel for eleven months. It is crazy to think how fast time has gone by. Tinsel has already brought me to places I thought I would have never gone. So far we have shown at The Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, and Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. My biggest achievements with Tinsel so far would be placing 8th, and 8th at WEF, and winning reserve champion, and champion with just a few shows together. I chose Tinsel because he reminded me how much I loved this sport, and that I knew I could achieve so many goals on him. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about that horse, and how special he is to me. I have to pinch myself whenever I am on him. I am so thankful for my trainers, Matt and Kelley who have already taught me so much in just a year, and I cannot wait to see what the future hold for myself, and Tinsel at Woodhill.
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Written by Intern Tess Conley
Hi my name is Tess Conley and I am from Kansas. I have been riding since I was two years old and showing since I was eight. I currently own an eight year old Appendix Quarter Horse who I normally show in the Children's Hunters and are moving him up to the Juniors, but right now I am rehabbing him from a slight front suspensory tear. However, I have been able to ride many horses and continue to show multiple horses mostly jumpers. Typically I ride 2-3 horses a day and spend A LOT of time at the barn. Before Simon I had a large pony who I did the Larges on. Currently that pony, Gizmo, shows across the Mid-eastern US. Along with my life of riding and showing I am also a Varsity soccer player, and a 2 year letter winner. While riding and showing horses is my passion, I also love the culture and people in it. As a writer for P&P I want to get to know all the riders out there and hear your stories :) |