It’s been almost two years that I’ve been back in the saddle now, and aside from missing my barn days and riding, the other thing I missed when I took a long hiatus from the sport that was such a huge part of my life for so long, was the community.
In the spring of 2022, when a friend invited me to stop at her barn and say hello, I never imagined it would lead to me riding again. At first, I started slowly and didn’t put too much pressure on myself, after all, it had been about 15+ years since I had ridden consistently. But, over time, I made new friends at the barn and started riding more and more. I felt immense gratitude to be integrated into the equestrian world again. At the time, I was working a full-time job in public relations, caregiving to my grandmother in long-term care, and looking to make a career change and launch my own business in social media, public relations, and content creation. In some ways, the timing couldn’t have been worse to jump back into an old hobby. But in other ways, it was ideal. As I navigated my career change and caregiving duties, horseback riding became an outlet again and a way that I could nurture myself by doing what I loved. In June 2023, my grandmother passed away, and the connections I had established with my two- and four-legged barn friends became even more vital.
However, balancing it all has been challenging—a challenge I first encountered when I went off to The American University in Washington, DC. Before college, I was a competitive equestrian and owned two horses. But going to school in a city like DC meant that some things were going to have to take a back seat. While I aced my political science classes and made DC my home, riding became more of a distant memory, at least until I graduated and returned to my native Long Island, NY. As a college graduate, I should have plenty of time to ride, or so I thought. But getting back into riding wasn’t so easy. A lot had changed at the barn where I had kept my horses, and if you’re an equestrian, you know it is an expensive sport (especially on Long Island)! With my focus on landing my first adult job, riding once again came in second place.
Years went by as I worked to build my personal and professional life post-college. The long days and carefree weekends I used to spend at the barn felt like a lifetime ago by this point. But as I was building my career, cancer was growing in my thyroid. In 2013, at the age of 26, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I would spend the next six months vetting surgeons and undergoing a total thyroidectomy before I could call myself a cancer survivor. That diagnosis changed the trajectory of my life. Afterward, I started my blog, Living in Steil, as a resource for other young cancer patients and survivors and as a creative outlet for myself. Eventually, I became a Board-Certified Patient Advocate and found my way into the non-profit world.
{Brianne Link, Founder and CEO of Equisite Elements of Style and chair of the Young Professionals Committee for JustWorld International}
It would be more than a decade before my dreams of returning to riding would come to fruition. But when they did, I decided to share my journey on my blog and social media platforms. Almost immediately, I was inundated with people congratulating me for finding my way back to something I loved while also sharing that they had newly taken up riding again as well. This adult amateur group gave me so much confidence, as I felt like I was immersed in an entirely new equestrian world that evolved during my absence. I began sharing my barn time on Instagram, writing blog posts about all that seemed new to me, and eventually, I started working with equestrian brands as a blogger. That’s when I met Brianne Link, the Founder and CEO of Equisite Elements of Style. We met at The Hampton Classic Horse Show in 2022, and I instantly fell in love with her elegantly designed riding apparel. Brianne and I collaborated, and I wrote about how I wore her pieces to the barn, brunch, and even to my office (at the time). My followers loved how I showcased the versatility of the pieces, and I realized that I had found myself a new niche.
{RSVP to join the Young Professionals Committee Networking Luncheon on 1/15}
As I rode more frequently, started attending horse shows again, and met new riders, I was struck by how much the equestrian industry has grown. But the one thing that has remained the same is how community-oriented equestrians are, and that’s something that makes being part of the sport so rewarding. So, when Brianne, who is the chair of the Young Professionals Committee for JustWorld International, approached me about becoming a part of it, I was in! I had always seen JustWorld International as a sponsor at The Hampton Classic, and as a nonprofit professional, I admired the work they did to connect equestrian ambassadors with children in developing nations to break the cycle of poverty through education, healthcare, and nutrition programs. I also wanted to help young equestrians find their way in this sport, whether they become professional riders or are interested in nurturing their love of horses in some other creative career path. Together, with a total of 8 entrepreneurial equestrians, we’re developing opportunities for JustWorld International and the young professional equestrian community in Palm Beach County, FL, through engaging events. Our first one for 2024 is right around the corner on Monday, January 15 at Maxwell’s Plum. We’ll be hosting a networking luncheon with ticket proceeds benefiting JustWorld International. The event will feature guest speaker Kelly Giordano, an equestrian entrepreneur herself, and a discussion panel with our committee members.
Without my equestrian connections and friendships, returning to riding would not have been something I envisioned for myself. I’m beyond grateful to those who helped me get back in the saddle, create a new avenue for my business, and continue to encourage me to pursue my equestrian dreams. Working with the Young Professionals Committee and JustWorld International is my way of paying it forward to those coming up in this sport. If one of your goals for 2024 is to grow your network in the equestrian world or develop your future equine-related business, the Young Professionals Committee and JustWorld International are the perfect way to get started. Be sure to follow JustWorld International on Instagram to keep up with future events that are being planned throughout the year!
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