124 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
It was a whirlwind, but one that felt well suited to my personality
at the time.
However, after a two-year stint as the public relations director
for a major nightclub, I was beginning to get burnt out. Late nights
on the town and weekends with no purpose weren’t satisfying my
spiritual needs the way dedication to a sport does. I missed the
ponies and needed a change.
I packed up my life, put my fancy clothes and spikey high
heels in storage, and set out on a “sabbatical,” leaving NYC and
returning to the riding world as a professional.
I began by teaching at my childhood summer camp, a wonderful
place in New Hampshire called Pony Farm. Once I had my
“sea legs” back under me, I got a job in Wellington, Florida and
eventually went out West to work for Archie Cox, California’s top
professional horseman.
At first, nothing felt better than arriving to work each day in
boots and britches instead of a pair of pumps. The joy I felt putting
my head on the pillow after an exhausting day at the horse show
was utter elation.
Nothing bad happened. But this is a story about
real life
, and
thus it comes complete with personal twists and turns. One day
shortly after I turned 30, I just woke up and realized: I miss New
York, my family and my career. I knew the sabbatical was over,
and it was time to return home.
That was three years ago. In the time since, I moved back to
New York, picked up where I left off professionally, and married
my soul mate. We live a beautiful, happy life together in the city,
but every so often my husband would bring up the elephant in the
room: “If you loved riding horses so much, why don’t you do it any
more?”
I would answer him (perhaps a tad defensively): “You don’t just
DABBLE in show jumping. You’re either IN IT or you’re NOT.”
The more those words came out of my mouth, the more I knew
they were nonsense. I love riding horses. It is in my blood. It is one
of the great joys of my life, and it is the only thing in the world that
turns off the constant chatter in my brain about work, finances and
general life stress. To deny myself the chance to participate in the
sport just because I might not be able to compete at a high level
anymore is a huge waste. Also, as I inch closer to starting a family
of my own, it’s not the kind of message I would like to impart to my
future children. Sometimes we do things for the sake of personal
accomplishment, not for a blue ribbon.
Interestingly enough, it looks like I’m going to get back in the
show ring a little bit during the 2014 Winter Equestrian Festival
after all. Am I showing a 1.50 jumper? Nope. Probably more
like a 3’ hunter. But it doesn’t matter. I am showing for the fun of
it, not for the glory. I am finally, truly understanding the value of
“the journey” over “the destination,” and for this, I feel happy and
blessed. Giddy up!
About the writer: Jamie Krauss Hess is a Director at the Narrative Group, a
lifestyle PR company in New York City. She resides in New York with her newly-
coined “horsey husband,” George, and their Yorkie, Stella.
Jamie and her husband, George, at Old Salem Farm.
Jamie competing while working for Archie Cox in California.
Photo by Captured Moment Photography
