The Scenic Route (Part 1)
As a teen, I just knew I was going to be a professional equestrian. Knew it. I had grown up in the biz and there was nothing else I wanted to do. Horses were my passion! No 9 to 5 was ever going to satisfy me.
But I did follow the advice I was given that maybe just maybe I might want to have a backup plan. You know go to college, gain some knowledge, keep my options open.
So, I did that – thankfully on some scholarships, so no student loans. Rode on the collegiate team, went to class from time to time. Managed to get myself a degree.
When I graduated, I landed an assistant trainer job right away. I was so, so happy to be done with school and “living my life the way I wanted to“.
Seven years later I woke up in a hotel room at 4:30 AM. I was 28 years old but felt like I was 60. After realizing I had been on the road for 20 weeks straight, I took some personal inventory. Yes, I was “living the dream,” getting to ride every day. But the pay was inconsistent at best, I had no health insurance, and was literally one fall away from the unemployment line. Then what?
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