There’s a thought exercise that circulates every now and then on Art Social Media circles that asks the question: if you could do anything as a career other than art, what would that be?
For me, if I could do anything as a career other than art, I would be an equestrian riding at a professional show jumping level.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a Horse Girl.
But it wasn’t until the summer of 2021 that I finally fulfilled my lifelong dream of learning to ride horses.

It felt so good to finally make that dream a reality, and I have the many black equestrians who were on the front lines of the summer of 2020 protests to thank for giving me the courage to finally take a seat in a white-dominated space.

But I had to stop shortly after because the barn owner decided to sell her property and move out of state. That lesson barn had an emphasis on Western riding, but because I wanted to learn show jumping I decided to try finding an English lesson barn.

It proved to be difficult finding a hunter/jumper lesson barn in the Central Valley. But I ended up finding a place far north in Elk Grove that was black woman owned/operated, and I loved the place so much. I felt so at home every time I was there.

But I eventually had to throw in the towel because that kind of drive, the gas, and money involved was no longer sustainable for me. I didn’t want to give up on learning to ride, but it was something that needed to be shelved for a later time. It took me a year and a half later, but that time is finally now!
I’m so happy to share that I finally found a new hunter/jumper lesson barn that’s actually close to home!
I can’t wait to really learn and REMEMBER what I’m learning so I can get better and better and eventually start showing/competing!

I don’t think I’ll make a career out of riding, but I like to imagine there’s an alternate universe version of me out there who’s living that dream and career path. But it feels good to at least be doing something to make that dream a reality in my current life (while still being an amazing artist 😉).