When I was almost five years old, I went on a field trip to a western barn with my preschool. I instantly fell in love. The trainer contacted my mom, and I started taking lessons. Soon enough it was all I could think and talk about. I rode Western for around four years, until I saw one of the trainers jumping. I then became obsessed with the idea of how fun it would be to start jumping. I decided to switch to an English barn that focuses on jumping. I started riding there when I was nine and started competing at the local level with my first leased horse, Chipotle, when I was eleven. I started out in the short stirrup. By the next show, three months later, I moved up to the .80m jumpers. I had a rough couple of years switching on and off horses. Anytime I would start to improve the horse would get hurt, and I had to switch to another horse, and we weren’t in the right spot to purchase a horse. After my fourth lease horse I finally moved up to the .85m jumpers, and then she got hurt. After a long struggle of trying to move up and all my lease horses kept getting hurt, we decided to start horse shopping.
In 2023, we decided to look for an Equitation horse that could advance me to the 3′ 6″ equitation. After having 3 different horses on trial over the last 5 months, the “third time’s a charm” really came into play when we found Jupiler! After only 1 month, we had already established a bond, in and out of the show ring. We started showing a couple months later and we had so much fun! With all that being said, even when things get thrown at you, you have to keep working hard and not let the struggles get in your way. I’m excited to see where he will take me!
I am currently a senior at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, GA where academics are my top priority. I maintain a 3.5 GPA and I am enrolled in Honors and AP classes. When I’m not riding, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family, traveling, and going to the gym. I love watching sunsets and taking in all the beautiful things in life.
Having the opportunity to ride for a Varsity IHSA team or on a collegiate level would be a dream come true! It would validate all the hard work, time, and effort I have put into the sport. I am very passionate about finding the right university that will fit my needs, and to also find an excellent and fun team to become a part of. I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to ride for so many years and to have learned so much from being an equestrian. Riding has taught me patience, a strong work ethic, and most of all perseverance. I cannot wait to commit myself to my future team!
~ Haley Wilson