GREAT SUPPORT

It goes without saying, that it takes an immense ammount of support to be succesful in this sport. Financial, emotional, and technical are the baseline necessities.
While going through graduate school and working full time was a daunting feat, the mantra I kept repeating to myself always had the same message- higher education will assist in me independently paying for my equine endeavours.

And now I can say it is all worth it.

Financial support is what makes the passion of riding a reality, but emotional support is what makes it rewarding.The highs are higher and lows less low when you have a shoulder to lean on and friends and family to laugh with. I feel so blessed in my life that I have a husband that enjoys seeing the happiness riding brings to me. He is not a horseman, but he has taken a strong interest in learning about horses and has graduated to purchasing his first pair of boots and is becoming the official "lounger" of Shiek, which is definitely not always the most fun task. In my previous life, I competed without a strong support group at home and I know that where I am now is much more rewarding because I have a best friend by my side.

Last but not least is the technical support....or rather training. There are many talented individuals, and not so talented ones, who hang their shingles as trainers. It is important to find someone who has the ethics and talent to not only train your horse, but that can also manage people. You must also find a trainer that can grow you to the level of competition that you would like to reach.

All in all, support is necessary to maximize the enjoyment of the sport!