As this year comes to a close, I’d like to reflect on the past 12 months and all the ups, downs, blood, sweat, and tears within it.
First and foremost, this has been a year full of “firsts.” As my first year training with and working for Thumbs Up farm, my first year in the 3’6” equitation, a goal I’ve had for a long time, and my first year showing in California, this year brought many new obstacles and opportunities that made it one to remember.
It started out on a high note, leasing Danner out to barn mate Zoe Macbeth and leasing Edesa’s Wesley from Edesa’s Promotions. I cannot thank Thumbs Up Farm enough for finding such a young, willing, and talented horse for me to grow with this season, he is truly more than I could ever ask for and I never could have imagined how far he would end up taking me in only our first six months together.
As the season started rolling and I got out of school, I began full-time working at Thumbs Up Farm as a working student since I no longer had to be in school all day. It took some getting used to their program and I made honest mistakes, learned from them, and now I feel very confident as a full-time working student of Thumbs Up Farm, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work off a portion of the endless stream of horse bills. Furthermore, I was lucky enough to receive opportunities to spend more time in the saddle due to Thumbs Up Farm and I appreciate the dedication they showed me this year to improve my riding.
I’d also like to acknowledge and welcome all the new clients who have joined the Thumbs Up Farm team this year. We are lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive group of juniors and amateurs that all contribute to one of the best barn client atmospheres I’ve ever experienced, and how lucky am I to get to ride at this barn??
Also, a HUGE shout out to the amateurs at Thumbs Up Farm for being the most supportive group of women a girl can ask for, you know who you are, thank you for being so amazing this year and supporting all of us juniors, we appreciate it more than you know.
This year, I also began working with Adrienne Berg’s pony project, Stella. I’m excited to possibly debut her in the Green Pony division of 2020, she really is something special. Thank you for the opportunity, Adrienne!!!
Highlights of this year include earning second place at Maclay Regionals, taking my first win in a medal, qualifying for the Hunterdon Cup 2020, and participating in the Bernie Traurig clinic.
Thank you to those who made this year’s success possible, including but not limited to my parents, Quinn Partridge, John Turner, Keri Bailey, Jessica Friedman, Casey Sorita, Adrienne Berg, KC Cordell, the Macbeth family, the Steckler family, Efrain Gandara, and Liz Smith.
This year brought more than I could have ever imagined and I can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store!! Thank you mom and dad for allowing me to take this crazy journey and supporting me all the way through.
Happy New Year!!!!