Last summer, I worked as a lead camp counselor at a busy lesson barn in Kansas, where I taught daily group riding lessons for beginner and intermediate campers, ran activities for groups of 5–15 young riders, and put together themed camp curricula. I also gave one-on-one beginner lessons on commission.

Before that, I was a working student at a barn in Maryland, leading daily trail rides, organizing volunteers for grooming and feeding routines, and teaching novice riders the fundamentals of horsemanship and safety. I’d originally started there through a year-long work-to-ride program, where I quickly became the most reliable volunteer—the one who always showed up, rain or shine.

At a therapy barn, running equipment like 4x4s and pickups, monitoring livestock health, and maintaining the property. I cared for four horses, two sheep, three goats, and a whole flock of chickens while also managing paddocks and keeping the office in order.

I've ridden dead-broke to young, spunky horses, with my experience mostly middling at well-handled horses with small behavioral problems. I mostly work at client lesson barns, so most of the horses were ridden by a lot of people, but my real enjoyment came when I worked with horses that needed a little work. I enjoy work with spooky and "different" horses. I don't want to oversell my abilities--I am definitely a green rider, but I learn fast!

I've competed once and helped at a few competitions.