Grateful Growth || Young Professional Series

Recently, at a horse show, I had a conversation with an individual aspiring to become a young professional. She told me that she, “just wants to be like Iron Ardour, living the dream.”

I was FLATTERED, caught off guard, and had no clue how to respond. I felt a lump in my throat and the urge to warn her from I don’t even know what.

Instead, I awkwardly laughed as I do when I get a compliment, thanked her for being so kind to say something so sweet, and told her to keep an eye out for fun growth opportunities.

In hindsight, I wish I had told her something more along these lines:

Living the dream looks A LOT like hard work, A LOT of love and support, and A LOT of blessings you’d never see coming.

BUT, blessings don’t always look like what you think they should.

Sometimes, most of the time, you realize after the fact that it was a blessing at all.

A successful day of lessons and rides.

The perfect cup of coffee.

A safe trip hauling to and from shows.

A comfy bed to crawl into.

Friends and family who keep you in line.

I try to whisper “thank you God,” under my breath when these little moments pass through me.

But blessings don’t all look the same.

Sometimes they feel warm, overwhelming, and filled with joy.

Sometimes they bring disbelief, hard work, and self-doubt.

Sometimes they are completely obvious.

Sometimes they are in disguise.

Sometimes you can’t believe it’s you who it’s happening to (this can be good or bad.)

Getting to ride throughout college working under a local trainer was my first experience learning the backside of this sport. I was given a place to grow, make mistakes, and get a glimpse of what I’m really made of. I earned long days and wonderful friendships. I learned grit, shame, and how to walk away from things that no longer serve me. What a blessing.

Getting to work and ride in Florida with a super talented professional, I received a completely immersive education, experienced my first time away from home, a whole new take on the depth of talent this industry can offer, and made wonderful friends. And of course, who doesn’t want to winter under the palm trees of SoFlo? What a blessing.

Getting the opportunity to live and ride in Belgium, boarding that plane, I couldn’t believe it was happening to me. It was a great step for me to learn, meet new people, immerse myself in a different culture, step out of my comfort zone, check off a bucket list item, and again, make wonderful friendships. I relearned the value of saying no, knowing when to say yes, and laughing in between. What a blessing.

All of these opportunities opened new doors, not just to more opportunities, but to better insight on who I am as a person. That’s the takeaway as you grow in this industry. That’s the blessing of being a young professional. All the hard work, bullshit, absolutely AMAZING people and horses, late nights, early mornings, travel, and community—teaches you something, not just about life, but your way of navigating through it. What you’re willing to tolerate, what you’re willing to sacrifice, what you’re willing to do to follow this passion.

For better or for worse, that’s living the dream. What a blessing.

XO

Iron Ardour Equestrian