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)

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...

Book Recommendations

I am a huge book worm and try to read whenever I have time, which is usually late at night before I go to bed, on weekends, or on breaks. I recently found that I was short on books to read, which led me to research on Google novels that would appeal to me. Because I am a sucker for romance movies, I mainly looked for that genre of novels. I recently got a few novels in the mail along with a few that a friend let me borrow, and I want to share them with you. 1. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - I have read this book around three or four times, and it is still my favorite novel. It is a story about two teenagers who do have cancer, but it focuses more on the blossoming love story between them and how their world changes because of that as they also go through ups and downs due to their illnesses. It is a great read anywhere and anytime, and will always make you tear up by the end. 2. Let It Snow - This novel consists of three holiday stories written by John Green, Maure...

Dairy-free Banana Bread

From the end of 2019 to now, I have been really into baking breads. Out of the ones I have made, making banana bread and pumpkin walnut bread have been my top favorites. One of the first banana breads that I made was utterly delicious! However, because I like to share my baked goods with others, particularly my boyfriend, I went on the hunt for a dairy free recipe. My boyfriend is lactose intolerant, and I wanted to bake something that both he and I could enjoy. So, upon coming upon this recipe during my search online, I made a loaf last night and it was so delicious I had to share it on the blog. Here is the recipe! Photo from Google Images Ingredients: 4 very ripe bananas 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup canola oil or coconut oil 2 eggs 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp sea salt Steps: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a standard size loaf pan (I use olive ...

Sarah Dairiki

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