Tell us about your horses, Blaise and Retro. How would you describe their personalities and what makes them unique?  I show in the Arabian Horse Circuit with my two horses, Blaise and Retro, and they each bring such different personalities to the arena.

Blaise is a purebred Arabian Hunter Pleasure horse and has so much personality. He’s goofy, loves attention, and has a little bit of a mysterious side that keeps every ride interesting. He’s almost eight years old now, and I’ve had him since he was four, so we’ve really grown together over the years. He loves his job, but he definitely has a mind of his own, which has taught me to ride with more focus, confidence, and patience.

Retro is the younger one—he’s five—and such a sweetheart!  He always tries his best for me. He’s half-Arabian, half-Saddlebred, and he really stands out with his elegant movement, presence, and big white blaze. Even though he’s still early in his career, he’s already turning heads in the show ring. Every ride with him feels special because we’re constantly learning and experiencing new things together.

How did you choose their names?  Their names both have really meaningful stories behind them. Blaise is named after Saint Blaise, the patron saint known for healing and protecting people and animals, which fits his determined but caring personality. His show name, Only Imagine DFA+/, was given by his breeder, and I think his barn name matches it perfectly.

Retro’s name actually comes from his show name, SHF Retro Style. We kept “Retro” as his barn name because it really fits his look and his style—he just has that natural flair.

What does a typical day at the barn look like for you?  A typical day at the barn starts with helping my trainer get my horse ready for my ride. When I’m in the saddle, it’s a mix of focus, strategy, and fun. I’m always working on improving my riding and building a stronger connection with my horses.

There’s also a lot of grooming, tacking, and just spending time bonding with them. That’s honestly one of my favorite parts. At the end of my rides, I always give them treats to show how much I appreciate them.

What have Blaise and Retro taught you about responsibility and commitment?  Having my own horses has taught me so much about patience and responsibility—not just with them, but with myself too. I’ve learned how to really pay attention to their emotions and understand what they need.

There’s a lot that goes into caring for them, and I’m so grateful to have my trainer, Chris Culbreth, who helps manage their daily care and keeps them healthy and progressing. It’s definitely a team effort, and I’ve learned how important consistency and commitment are.