I’m Madison. A born and raised horse girl.
My love of horses was a product of nature and nurture. Yeah, I know, SUPER original right? Except I would like to believe my story is to some degree.
I was gifted my first horse, a chestnut granddaughter of Peppy San (AQHA), from my grandpa. The story goes something like this: he was so excited to have a granddaughter and he wanted (me) to love horses so much he went out to see his good friend and professional horseman, Curt Storbakken, and bought a 2-year-old filly from him. That was the day after I was born. This would be my “baby” girl, Amber. We had a 22-year ride through life together. Growing up with a chestnut mare, you best believe I learned a thing or two about patience and compromise. Through all of our challenges, I still loved her more than anything in this world.
Horses have always been my reason for breathing, for waking up in the morning, and planning 20 years down the road when I can’t even plan the night’s dinner for myself. Unsurprisingly, I chose to leave Washington state, my home of 19 years for a university that put me in the heart of horse country. After applying to and being accepted to 6 schools across the SEC, I actually landed in the ACC at the University of Louisville.
When I applied to UofL, I had no idea that Churchill Downs, home of the one and only Kentucky Derby, was literally a mile down the road from campus. And 70 miles from Louisville is the horse capital of the world: Lexington, Kentucky. What helped me chose Louisville over my other options was the Equine Industry Program (and a top-ranking basketball team). The University of Louisville offers the only accredited Equine Business degree in the nation. During my collegiate career, I rode for the University’s IHSA western horsemanship team and was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.
I graduated in just 3 1/2 years and the most significant lesson I have learned in the arena and in life is: there is so much more to discover. I try my best to carry that mindset into my personal and professional life each day. I may have landed in Thoroughbred and Saddlebred land, but mission accomplished! By a mix of accident and fate I ended up in horse country.
After graduating, I worked as a Veterinary Office assistant at Hermitage Farm, a historic Thoroughbred breeding farm right outside of Louisville. This position helped me gain valuable knowledge of equine breeding and general office duties. The icing on the cake was that it was foaling season! Roughly 35 mares foaled at the farm this spring, and what a joy it was to drive to work and see a newborn foal playing in one of the paddocks.
I also continued working in the service industry to save up quickly for a post-graduation trip to Europe. I spent almost three weeks in Croatia, one of which was spent horseback riding “on holiday” as they say over there. I spent 6 full, sunny days trail riding in the beautiful countryside with wonderful people. An hour away from the nearest city and an ocean away from my own day-to day life, I spent ample time contemplating my next adventure. At the end of the most fun-filled week, I concluded that I absolutely had to keep horses in my life, and that I would be happiest working with fellow equestrians. Horses are what make my life complete. The comradery of our world is so unique, I want to continue to be involved to shape our industry and ensure the next generation is able to enjoy horses like I did growing up.