Skip to main content

Spring Down Equestrian Center



"Always take a risk even if you are unsure of it; whether you fail or succeed, the outcome will always assure you that you have made the right choice." - Robin Elsineitti

Tilly and I walking before lesson
From the minute I was born I had a deep passion for animals, especially horses. Their grace, beauty, and strength drew me into their world, and as I waded deeper and deeper, I found that there was no turning back. I started taking horseback riding lessons when I was 8 years old at a riding facility in Portola Valley called Spring Down Equestrian Center. But little did I know that Spring Down would change my life forever.

Now, 8 years later, I am competing in local competitions whenever possible, while training in jumping in order to compete in the hunter/equitation divisions. Spring Down has taken me from the most beginner rider with little horse experience to one who has a profound love for all horses, and wants to spend every day at the barn. Spring Down has introduced me to the joys of competing, while helping me create my second group of friends: my horse ones. They have been there for me through thick and thin, always supporting me at horse shows and cheering me on.

Through my years at Spring Down I have gone through my fair share of making mistakes, but creating unforgettable memories too. I have experienced crushes on boys and had both my 2-legged and 4-legged friends to help me through the heartbreak that follows. Spring Down provides the most loving and supportive riding team while caring for each and every single horse stabled there, and I know that my favorite horses will always be there to guide me through troubled times by allowing me to hug their neck. The image of a horse nuzzling your back or wrapping their neck around you to give you a hug shows the trust they have in you, while proving how much they are capable of loving. 

Although I recently switched to an A-level barn just up the street in order to jump higher and more complicated jumps, I am so grateful to have been a part of Spring Down's community. Spring Down is my home, the place where I grew up riding and learned to take risks. Through my tumbles and downfalls I have always climbed back on with the same goal: to become an equestrian. Because of all Spring Down has taught me, it is safe to say that they have shaped me into the rider I am today, and I am proud to call myself an equestrian, all thanks to them. 

So, thank you Spring Down. For everything. 

Summer camp instructors selfie (Left to right: Sarah (me),
Charlotte, Ellie)

















Popular posts from this blog

Tribute to Lacey Jamieson

Death of A Young Horseback Rider Touches Teens All Across the Globe Lacey and one of her horses Lacey Jamieson, a sixteen year old equestrian from St. Thomas, died on Sunday of Oct. 13, 2013. Doctors are coming to the conclusion that Lacey had a rare blood disease called Hemaphagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, commonly known as HLH.  According to her parents and close friends, this rare disease suddenly struck Lacey, and she was transported to the hospital a couple days before, only to pass away on Sunday.  Lacey's trainer and friends from the barn that she was currently riding at that time are devastated because of her loss, and Lacey will never be forgotten. According to her trainer Julie Claus and friend Tabitha Peltier, Lacey had a close connection with horses and that fate had brought her to the world of competitive show jumping and competitions. Lacey was born with a gift, and she showcased that off to the world, becoming famous through her YouTube channel a...
Read more

Getting Through Finals Week

As winter break is approaching and finals week is coming up, many students are stressed about how to study in order to perform successfully on their tests. Here are some tips on how to be calm, well rested, and ready for finals week. 1. Use Quizlet  - I started using Quizlet my junior year of high school, and I have used it ever since. I am now a freshman in college and I still use Quizlet for my classes. Quizlet is amazing; if you have a lot of terms you need to memorize, Quizlet is the perfect online website that will help you study those terms. Once you write in the terms and their definitions, there are a variety of options you can choose in order to study the terms, including a test, flashcards, etc. 2. Get lots of rest - Don't stay out late when you know you have a final the next day. Getting a lot of rest is beneficial if you want to perform well on a test. It does sound lame to go to sleep really early, but if you do so, your body will thank you. By going to sleep early...
Read more

Spicy Veggie Bean Chili

Since moving from my old house with a tiny, cramped kitchen to my new house with a large, open kitchen with an island, I have been meal prepping, cooking, and baking a lot more. With this, I have been keen to try new recipes! I do eat meat, but most of the time I tend to cook vegetarian and vegan meals. This vegetarian chili recipe was one that I came across while browsing for a good, hearty chili recipe, and it is so delicious I had to share it with all of you. I did not come up with this recipe myself. The lovely Shannon, with her blog "The Glowing Fridge," posted this recipe. Her website is amazing, and I highly recommend you check it out. (Also, if you are interested in more plant based recipes, take a look at Shannon's website here: https://www.theglowingfridge.com ) Ingredients: 1/3 cup vegetable broth (or 1 tbsp olive oil) - for sautéing 1 onion, diced 1/4 of a finely diced jalapeño (optional) 3 minced cloves of garlic 1 bell pepper of any color, diced 1 ...
Read more