My passion for horses began at the age of 6 when I was forced to watch my older sister ride during one of her lessons. As I explored the barn, I immediately became fascinated with both the animals and sport and begged my mom to register me for an upcoming riding camp. After years of trying countless sports, riding finally stuck and those lessons of learning to groom, care for and ride those first ponies have become the first milestones of a life-long infatuation.
After my first taste of riding, I began taking lessons once or twice a week. But I always wanted more time with the horses and my trainers, and my time spent at the barn slowly increased. By the time I knew it I had just convinced my parents to rent an adorable roan pony named Jackson who took me on my first ‘A’ rated circuit. Though this pony was too green to compete in the pony divisions, he gave me the confidence and grit to begin my competition career.
After a few years with my first barn, I decided it was necessary to move to a closer barn and learn from a new perspective, and so I began training with Kim Mulligan and Rod Lopez in 2021. With their guidance I have been able to move up to the 3’6” Equitation in under a year and a half and have regularly competed at venues such as HITS Ocala and Saugerties, WEC and Saratoga.
Outside of riding, I am currently a rising junior at Staples High School in Westport CT, where I take my academics incredibly seriously. I have maintained a GPA of 3.9 while taking a mix of Honors classes, and next year I will be integrating Advanced Placement courses. When I am not in the saddle, I enjoy spending time with my family and participating in my community, as well as being a working student at my barn whenever possible.
Riding on a collegiate equestrian team would allow me to apply the skills and knowledge which I have gained over the past 10 years that I have dedicated to this sport to participate on a team, as well as perfect my riding as an individual. . I am incredibly excited to find the right college and hopefully be able to continue to a college equestrian team.
~ Olivia Vlahakis