Later, I went on to teach and train, but began to see that there were many things to do in life that I hadn't yet explored - I had spent my entire childhood and teenage years devoted exclusively to the life and culture of riding, but had a nagging sense I was missing out on important ideas and experiences — and even some not so important ones.  For example, it bothered me a great deal that I had no idea how to use the post office.  That may seem odd, but something as simple as asking to purchase a book of stamps felt overwhelming to me.  It was part of a world I just didn't know. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, I became disillusioned with the sport; horses were typically a means to an end (winning, money), and the art and craft of horsemanship together were a distant second.

I miss working with horses - just being with them - and hope one day to again keep their company. One goal I have is to buy a farm where I can house horses rescued from inhumane circumstances. There I plan also to start an educational program for underprivileged children that combines equestrian and philosophical training, with an eye toward developing a life-long disposition for intellectual and compassionate endeavors.

Competition Highlights:

• 1987: Second Place, Rolex/U.S.E.T. Young Riders Equiderby, Ox Ridge, Connecticut.
• 1987: Competed in the Rolex/U.S.E.T. Young Riders Talent Derby, Bedford, New York.
• 1987: Fifth Place, U.S.E.T. Medal Finals, Gladstone, New Jersey.
• 1986: Competed in the Rolex/U.S.E.T. Young Riders Talent Derby, Hamilton, Massachusetts. This class is used as a precursor to grand prix competition and is open to riders age 25 and under.
• 1986: Third Place, A.S.P.C.A. Maclay National Regional Finals, North Salem, New York. This regional final is a second qualifier for the Maclay class at the National Horse Show, formerly at Madison Square Garden in New York City. There are four regional finals throughout the country.
• 1986: Winner, American Horse Shows Association National Hunter Seat Medal Finals, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
• 1986:Fourth Place, A.S.P.C.A. National Maclay Medal Finals, New York, New York.
• 1985:Second Place, Virginia Horse Shows Association Medal Finals, Warrenton, Virginia.
• 1984: Third Place, New England Horsemen's Council Medal Finals, Somers, Connecticut.
• 1984: Second Place, American Horse Shows Association National Hunter Seat Medal Finals, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
• 1983: Fourth Place, New England Horsemen's Council Medal Finals, Hamilton, Massachusetts.
• 1982: Fourth Place, U.S.E.T. West Coast Medal Finals, Griffith Park, California. This class, now known as the Rolex/U.S.E.T. Young Riders Talent Search, is for riders age 21 and under.
• 1982: Second Place, Los Angeles County Horse Shows Association Medal Finals, Griffith Park, California.
• 1982: Winner, Onondarka Medal Finals, Santa Barbara, California. This class is for riders age 12 and under.
• 1982: Winner, Rosewood Medal Finals, Santa Barbara, California. This class is for riders age 14 and under.
• 1982: Winner, Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association Equitation Championships, Santa Barbara, California.
• 1981: Second Place, Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association Equitation Championship, Santa Barbara, California.
• 1981: Eighth Place, Onondarka Medal Finals, Santa Barbara, California.
• Qualified for the national medal finals 1981-1987, winner of numerous equitation classics on both coasts, junior hunter and equitation championships, wins and prizes in junior jumper competitions in California, Florida, Virginia and the Northeast, as well as experience and wins in the hunter and jumper divisions as a professional in 1988-89 before leaving the sport to attend college and graduate school. During and after school, I taught and trained for several competition stables.