Talise Baker-matsuoka: Horseback riding

Talise Baker-Matsuoka’s childhood dream came true in middle school when she got the opportunity to ride her favorite animal: a horse. “Horses have always been my favorite animal,” she said. “Horseback riding is very thrilling like riding a roller coaster, but you also get exercise.”

Since then, Baker-Matsuoka has competed in show jumping in which the rider and the horse attempt to complete a course of jumps as fast as they can. “The adrenaline is my favorite thing about riding,” she said. “You’re basically running as fast as you can with giant obstacles.” She has competed in year-round national and international competitions in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Canada. Her proudest accomplishment is winning the California Professional Horsemen’s Association medal final. “I won it with a horse I had for years named Emyr,” she said. “He passed away last September, so it means helps me with a school/life balance and keeps me sane and motivated,” she said.

—Written by Madison Yue