How I Got Tricked Into Devoting My Life to Horses
Not Interested
I tried very hard not to make horses my main focus in life. I went so far as to graduate film school, move to Manhattan, and start a Video Production Company (Darondo Productions) all in an effort to stay removed from the horse industry. Yet, here I am.
Growing up I always wanted to ride at a high level, but I never mapped out a life as a professional rider for a few reasons.
During my impressionable years I was told repeatedly that the top sport was for trust-fund-kids only.
As a teen, my trainers fed me the narrative that it’s impossible to make money in horses, and that it was a better idea to make money outside of the horse world to be able to afford nice horses to compete at a high level. (Pro Tip: This almost never actually works out.)
The professional riders/trainers that I knew never seemed genuinely happy - there seemed to be a disproportionate amount of alcoholism, drug abuse, cheating, lying, and generally unhappy and unstable seeming people in the industry, and I didn’t want that for myself.
So, I balanced riding/competing as an amateur with rushing through film school, and went out on my own to make my fortune in video production!… It didn’t quite work out that way. I started out in NYC with a camera, editing software, and a dream; and I grew an artistically focused production company with two full time employees. We produced music videos and promo content for interior architecture, dance companies, packaging designers, and occasionally some equestrian publications. During that time I maintained a couple of horses and continued showing in the high level amateur and Under-25 divisions. In 2019 I finally started to break into the International level competitions and was simultaneously getting burnt out from demanding production work. In 2020 when COVID interrupted the planet and there was zero video work to be done, it was an easy decision to go all in with horses.
All In
2020 was the perfect time to get Professional Status and open shop - with limited traveling, Americans were buying more horses domestically (not importing from EU), and I was able to sell a few horses easily. I picked up a few beginner clients to train as everyone wanted to be outside and away from people. I had a great summer jumping some higher level competitions and it felt like it would be relatively easy to sustain business… fast forward 6 years, and it’s a hell of a lot harder than it started off. I got duped by the state of the world in 2020, but I am grateful to have had a reason to take the leap!
Although I’m a ways from achieving my ultimate goals, I feel fortunate to run a business that grants me an interesting life. I’m grateful to work outside with animals on a daily basis and not sit at a desk in front of a screen - plus I don’t have to worry about AI taking my job. The equestrian world is beautiful in it’s cultural and socioeconomic diversity. It’s also the only Olympic sport where men and women compete equally, and a rare sport that you can compete at a high level into your 60s, so I’m in it for the long haul. Despite the challenges, I’m glad I got tricked into this life.
Coping
The sport is undoubtably hard - physically, financially, and emotionally. I understand why people in this industry can be miserable and self-destructive, so it’s always been front of mind to make sure to stay mentally and physically well. Here’s my system for staying happy and healthy:
Remaining brutally honest with myself and the people around me at all costs.
Keeping my social life out of the horse world. My close friends are from school or the art world (which is why I need this blog to help them understand my life lol).
Attending concerts, comedy shows, and sporting events regularly.
Eating healthy and living 100% sober.
Keeping up with my unique personal interests (ie reading heavy literature like Dostoevsky, practicing the i-Ching, drinking tea, watching TV from the 70s)
Working with an athletic trainer (shout out to Conor Millstein!) to building the most efficient, durable, functional, and painless body possible.
Having athletic goals outside of the sport - Running marathons, long distance challenges, and other movement goals (like handstands… hopefully soon!)
Taking on a few photo/video/design projects per year to keep the creative side of my brain sharp.
Finding time for my personal art (large form abstract painting)
Removing negative and/or unethical people from my life ruthlessly.
So far it’s working, but I’ll be sure to let you know if I crack the code on ultimate inner peace and eternal nirvana!