What's in a Name?

A lot actually.

You know how you get on your phone to look up one thing and then 20 minutes later you resurface from the blackhole of information and have no idea how you ended up watching cat videos?

Welcome to my brain. A Rubik's cube contraption of memories, information, and curiosity. From it, an idea spoken into existence, put on paper, and then put into action.

Iron Ardour.

Aside from the obvious horse obsession, I also have a deep passion for the water and thoroughly enjoy sailing—a love passed down to me from my father. The wind is your power on a sailboat, its strength pushes you through the elements and carries the vessel to new destinations. You witness a force of nature.

If you go sailing and the wind is in your face, it is called, "in irons." Having the wind in your face is not ideal for sailing, because now your greatest asset is working against you.

The first time I heard this term, I only knew "in irons" to be the term used for the rider atop their horse. "In irons," in the horse world, is a good thing. You're sitting with a force of nature. It's a rider's throne.

It has been mine for as long as I can remember.

I was intrigued by this term's contradiction and my attraction to it. A bread crumb trail of thoughts stemmed from it...

Iron is found in our blood.

'Iron sharpens iron'

One term betwixt two loves.

Ardour means enthusiasm or passion.

My passion has and always will be horses. At such a young age, I feel blessed this is the gift God has given me.

"In irons" while sailing doesn't make the journey impossible, it just means you have to adjust your sails to skillfully reach your destination. Isn't that almost always true of this sport?

Even if the wind is at my face, sitting in my throne, it may present challenges and require me to adjust my sails, but it is still a beautiful gift and it's always surprising me with the new places it takes me— Nationals in college, showing across the country, Wellington, and Belgium. It is a force of nature. It's a fulfilling passion that has introduced me to immensely generous and loving people. It has rewarded me with phenomenal, hardworking horses.

So, what's in a name?

A strong passion. Grit and grace. Fundamentally a part of me.

XO

Iron Ardour Equestrian