PrintThis teenager is selling her horses to go to college, but she finished her junior career on a high note.
Kate Salzman experienced an emotional rollercoaster in the second week of Horse Shows By The Bay in Williamsburg, Mich., when she won the $2,500 NAL/WIHS Adult Jumper Classic, July 23-27. Not only did Salzman win aboard her own Rhythm & Blues, who was a birthday present, but this will be her last riding competition. A recent high school graduate, she plans to sell her horses, including Rhythm & Blues, a 14-year-old, bay warmblood gelding by Concorde, in preparation for her summer job in New York and college at Duke University (N.C.) in the fall.
“I’ll be working at an art gallery over the summer, so that means selling my horses after the Hampton Classic [N.Y.]. This is my last show, and it’s really sad,” said Salzman, Riverside, Conn. “My parents want me to have a ‘real life’ experience. I have been so lucky; they have supported me 150 percent the entire way, and it’s time to give them a break.”
She laughed as she fondly told the story of how she got into riding. “My parents always said that if they knew what this would have turned into, they would have given me a tennis racket instead. I grew up in London, and Hyde Park has pony rides. I used to go ride for hours. When I got more serious, I started to ride these little eventing ponies at a nearby stable. When we had to move to the States for my dad’s job, they asked me what the one thing was that could make me feel more at home, and I asked if I could keep riding ponies,” said Salzman.
Salzman trains with Heritage Farm, and although she’s had to balance school, family and riding, riding remains the one constant in her life. She believes riding has kept her focused and humble. She even used her riding experience and the lessons she’s learned in her college entrance essay.
“Two years ago at [the ASPCA] Maclay Finals I was having a great round, and then I added in a bending line,” recalled Salzman. “I had worked so hard all year, getting to the barn at three in the morning and practicing every single day. I knew this was it. These two minutes were it. To disappoint everyone and let myself down—it really taught me how to cope with failure. I know now, no matter how hard you work, that these things happen. Horses keep you humble. No matter how hard you try, sometimes you won’t succeed,
and that’s reality.”
Leaving The Horses Behind
Nina Zenni, an 18-year old high-school graduate, also plans to leave her horses behind when she goes off to college. Zenni won the $2,500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic in week 2 with Spy, a
14-year-old mare. Zenni lives in Lake Bluff, Ill., and trains with Rush and Carl Weeden, but she’s headed off to Miami University in Ohio this fall.
Although Zenni won’t have to sell her horses, she doesn’t plan on bringing them with her to school, and this is her last show before she starts college.
Kate Salzman experienced an emotional rollercoaster in the second week of Horse Shows By The Bay in Williamsburg, Mich., when she won the $2,500 NAL/WIHS Adult Jumper Classic, July 23-27. Not only did Salzman win aboard her own Rhythm & Blues, who was a birthday present, but this will be her last riding competition. A recent high school graduate, she plans to sell her horses, including Rhythm & Blues, a 14-year-old, bay warmblood gelding by Concorde, in preparation for her summer job in New York and college at Duke University (N.C.) in the fall.
“I’ll be working at an art gallery over the summer, so that means selling my horses after the Hampton Classic [N.Y.]. This is my last show, and it’s really sad,” said Salzman, Riverside, Conn. “My parents want me to have a ‘real life’ experience. I have been so lucky; they have supported me 150 percent the entire way, and it’s time to give them a break.”
She laughed as she fondly told the story of how she got into riding. “My parents always said that if they knew what this would have turned into, they would have given me a tennis racket instead. I grew up in London, and Hyde Park has pony rides. I used to go ride for hours. When I got more serious, I started to ride these little eventing ponies at a nearby stable. When we had to move to the States for my dad’s job, they asked me what the one thing was that could make me feel more at home, and I asked if I could keep riding ponies,” said Salzman.Salzman trains with Heritage Farm, and although she’s had to balance school, family and riding, riding remains the one constant in her life. She believes riding has kept her focused and humble. She even used her riding experience and the lessons she’s learned in her college entrance essay.
“Two years ago at [the ASPCA] Maclay Finals I was having a great round, and then I added in a bending line,” recalled Salzman. “I had worked so hard all year, getting to the barn at three in the morning and practicing every single day. I knew this was it. These two minutes were it. To disappoint everyone and let myself down—it really taught me how to cope with failure. I know now, no matter how hard you work, that these things happen. Horses keep you humble. No matter how hard you try, sometimes you won’t succeed,
and that’s reality.”
Leaving The Horses Behind
Nina Zenni, an 18-year old high-school graduate, also plans to leave her horses behind when she goes off to college. Zenni won the $2,500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic in week 2 with Spy, a
14-year-old mare. Zenni lives in Lake Bluff, Ill., and trains with Rush and Carl Weeden, but she’s headed off to Miami University in Ohio this fall.
Although Zenni won’t have to sell her horses, she doesn’t plan on bringing them with her to school, and this is her last show before she starts college.
