I started riding at eight years old after two years of begging my parents for lessons. They tried steering me toward golf, tennis, and swimming, but nothing matched my drive to be in the saddle. I spent my early years riding school horses and competing in local unrated circuits through the Red Pines Horse Show Association before convincing my parents to buy my first horse, Dewey.

After foundational training under Anne McKay at Harvest Hill Farms, I took the step to elevate my riding by joining JSL Equestrian under trainer Johnny Salazar. Since then, I’ve expanded my competition record across the Midwest, competing at rated shows like Mid States in Mason City, HITS Chicago in Wayne, and WEC Ohio.

Behind the ribbons, photos, and videos is a deep dedication to the sport. It’s 5:00 AM wake-up calls on show days, long days, late nights, learning to tack up as a young girl, and pushing through the setbacks, falls, and self-doubt. Finding the courage to show up again and again has built my resilience as an athlete.

Riding is my absolute passion, made even more rewarding by my barn family and trainer, Johnny. The strong, independent women in my barn have cheered me on for years, showing me what true sportsmanship looks like. I am excited to bring this same dedication, work ethic, and team-first mindset to a college equestrian program.