5 Life Lessons Learned

Growing Up in a Barn

by Madalyn Norton

When I was nearly ten years old a sentence came out of my mouth that changed my life forever.

I was at dinner with my parents and we were just having typical conversation when all of the sudden this idea came into my head. I looked across the table at both of them and said, “I want to start riding horses”. Now let me explain my background here, I live in the suburbs of Columbus, the closet I had ever been to a horse at this point in my life was a pony ride at the zoo, so when I first said this the only look I got was of pure confusion. However, I was lucky enough to have parents that worked hard to make my ambitious dreams come true so the next day when my dad got home from work he had some news. The lady that worked a few offices down from him owned a horse and had given him some contact information for her trainer. Later that evening my dad gave her a call and the next thing I knew I was on my way out to my first of many lessons. My parents didn’t know what they were getting themselves into that day when they set me to ride in my rain boots and bike helmet but I think they would agree that growing up around horses has taught me many valuable lessons.

Responsibility

Growing up I always had a list of chores to do, make my bed, set the table for dinner etc. However, I was not the best at getting them done. When I started riding my mom made me sign a contract that said if I did not do my chores that day then I was not allowed to go out to the barn. Well she is one smart lady because she knew I couldn’t stand to miss a chance spent with the horses so I got in the habit of making my bed every single day.

Kindness

The first horse Lisa Schott ever put me on was Whispers of The Fruit CA. Many refer to him as “The Man” which he is and he knows it. Will is an amazing horse and when you are young he will do whatever you ask, but when you start to actually understand how to ride him, he begins to push your buttons. I would get frustrated when my once so obedient horse started to test my ability, luckily Lisa understood how he ticked and she taught me at a very young age to treat others the way you want to be treated. If I stayed calm and worked through his tests he would come back to me as his sweet self, if I got frustrated and angry then it was a whole other story.

Drive

Lisa Schott is one of the most driven people I have ever met and growing up under her coaching has inspired me to follow that drive. One of the things that I was told a lot in my lessons growing up is that you get out of the show ring how much you put into your schooling. This constant reminder encouraged me to go that extra minute without irons or to take a higher jump when I didn’t have the confidence in myself. This quality is a huge part of the rider I am today.

Compassion

Riding has showed me a connection that I didn’t even know could exist. Like I said, I started riding on Will, at the time, he was big and intimidating but now he is one of the best things in my life. When I come home from Kentucky all I have to do is walk into the barn and his ears are up and he’s ready for his cookie. Without riding I would have never experienced such a great love for these amazing animals.

Balance

I don’t mean actual balance, however, riding definitely taught me that as well. But I mean balance between living for others and living for you. Riding gave me that balance; it is my escape when everything else in my life is just a little too much. Without riding I would suffer to find that balance.

The thing with all of these traits is that they are universal. I may have learned them by growing up around the barn, working with horses or being trained by Lisa but I will carry them with me for the rest of my life. Without riding I would not be the person I am today and for that I have my parents, the Schotts and TLC stables to thank. I cannot imagine a life without riding and I am extremely blessed to have grown up with such an amazing sport in my life.