Back in the Saddle: Reconnecting with the Girl Who Rode

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be back at the stables, brushing down a horse and sliding my boots into stirrups again, I probably would’ve laughed. Not because I didn’t miss it—I missed it every single time I saw a horse gallop past in a film or heard the soft clink of a bit. But life got full. College came, then business, and riding slowly faded into the background.

Growing up, I spent most of my life on horseback. Mornings at the barn, weekends at shows, summers drenched in sweat and joy—it wasn’t just a sport; it was my identity. Horses taught me patience, confidence, discipline, and that magical, wordless connection only riders understand.

And then I stopped. Not for lack of love, but lack of time.

But recently, something shifted. Maybe it’s the pull of doing more things that feel like me. I started carving out time every two weeks to ride again—just one class, no pressure, just joy. And wow, I didn’t realize how much I’d been missing it until I swung back into the saddle.

The rhythm of the ride, the calm it brings, the sense of strength—it’s still all there. I may not be training for competitions anymore, but this version of riding is more about reconnecting. With the horses, yes. But also with myself.

So here’s your nudge: If there’s something you used to love that you’ve let go of, maybe it’s time to pick it back up—just for fun, just for you.

Because some parts of us never really go away—they’re just waiting for us to ride back home.