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Wednesday, March 01 2023 / Published in Sidelines Feature, Sidelines Spotlight, Weekly Feature

Balancing School Life While Chasing Equestrian Dreams

Mia Albelo

Miami, Florida

High School Student (12th grade)

How long have you been part of the horse world? 

I am 18 now and have been riding since I was 4 years old and competing since I was 6. My uncle does rodeo team roping, and when I was younger, he would take me to the farm with him. I quickly fell in love with horses, and I wanted to be at the barn every day. However, his farm was about an hour away, so my mom posted on Facebook trying to find a farm closer to Miami. Heavenly Acres, now known as Elysian Stables, was recommended to us, and I pivoted to show jumping. Since then, I have fallen in love with the sport more and hope to be a part of the horse world forever!

Do your parents like horses or ride?

My mother grew up with a buckskin trail horse named Cinnamon. Although she would have loved to compete, her parents couldn’t afford it. However, she has always loved horses and enjoys accompanying me on trail rides. My favorite part of the quarantine months of the pandemic were our daily trail rides together. I have tried to convince her to show in the Adult Jumpers, and hopefully one day, her dream of show jumping will come true! My dad, on the other hand, never knew about this sport until I started. As much as he claims he hates it, I often find him handing out treats throughout the barn aisle to his “grandkids.”

What are your riding goals?

I plan to compete in the U25 and two-star level this year. My goal is to qualify for NAYC to compete in the Juniors again, and perform well there to make the Junior Team for the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Youth Final at Peelbergen. I also hope to compete at Prix Des States again and show at the National Horse Show for the first time. I won’t be able to ride daily like I do now, as I will be out of Florida, but I hope to remain competing at a high level and riding consistently by returning on the weekends and during my breaks to train and compete. Looking toward the future, I hope to show at the three-star, four-star and five-star levels and represent the United States on the international stage by making Nations Cup teams.

Who do you train with and where is the farm?

I recently began training with Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run. Their farm is located  in Grand Prix Village in Wellington, Florida.

What horses do you ride?

My main horse at the moment is MHS Carndenta, otherwise known as Cardi. We have been partnered for just under a year, and together, we have accomplished so much. We showed at NAYC last summer in the Juniors and finished with team gold. We also competed at Prix Des States and finished fourth in the team final. She has taken me around my first National Grand Prix, and we have earned several top finishes in the High Junior Jumpers. She is only 9 years old, turning 10 this year, yet she is the best teacher and partner. Although she is just as competitive and feisty as I am, she is also extremely patient and forgiving as I tackle higher fences for the first time, and I’m so grateful to have her. I would say we have very similar personalities and that’s what makes us get along so well. We are also both very short! She is usually the smallest horse in the barn, but that doesn’t stop her from jumping the big jumps, as she has a huge heart. She reminds me so much of my heart horse, Cassandra Dreams, who is also a small, fearless and fiery gray mare.

What’s your biggest achievement in the horse world?

My biggest achievement was team and individual gold at NAYC 2021. I competed in the inaugural Pre-Junior division with my horse Cocominka EST. At that point, I had been partnered with Coco for six months, and it all came together at our biggest show of the year. Standing on the top of the podium while hearing your national anthem is always such a surreal experience, especially knowing how much my grandparents sacrificed to be in this country. I could not be more thankful for the entire team, including Coco, my parents, and my trainer at the time, Margie Engle, whom I had been with since the age of 11, and who made dreams of mine come true.

What’s your favorite show you have competed in?

My favorite show is the Longines Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach. I have lived in Miami my entire life, and the majority of my family lives there, too. I am so grateful to have shown there four times, and I am looking forward to showing there this year for the fifth time. My most memorable show experience was LGCT Miami Beach of 2019, right before the pandemic canceled the show for the following two years. It was the last day of competition and I competed in the 1.15m. That year I competed with my longtime partner, Cassandra Dreams. After winning the competition the first day, we hoped to close our weekend with another win. And that is exactly what she did. I remember landing from the last jump and hearing the roar from the stands as the announcer said I had entered the top spot. He even jokingly stated that I was the “fan-favorite.” I felt so loved by the many family and friends that came to watch me that day, from my grandparents and distant cousins to my school friends and principal. I will always cherish doing what I love in front of the people that I love.

Your grandparents came to the U.S. from Cuba. Have you had the chance to visit Cuba?

My grandparents immigrated from Cuba in the 1960s, sacrificing everything and leaving all that they knew and loved behind in search of freedom. My parents and I were born in the United States. We are very lucky to have none of our family left in Cuba, and that everyone was able to escape Castro’s dictatorship. I visited Cuba for the first and only time in the summer of 2018. My family had to keep the trip a secret until we returned, since we knew that if our grandparents discovered we were going to visit, they would be furious. However, I am glad that I visited. I got to see my grandparents’ childhood home, and see all their idyllic childhood stories come to life when I drove down El Malecon. On the other hand, I witnessed the bravery of the Cuban people who are stripped of their freedom, yet refuse to be silenced and protest for their human rights on the street.

Your mom is an entrepreneur. What does she do?

My mom is a real estate developer specializing in multifamily commercial real estate. She is the CEO and founder of the largest female-led and -founded real estate development company in Florida, NeologyLife, which is headquartered in Miami, but you can find her on the weekends ringside cheering me on. I aspire to become a real estate developer like her.

What was it like interning for the mayor of Miami?

This past summer, I worked for City of Miami Mayor Suarez as the only high school intern. I saw firsthand the economic hardships families faced. I focused on providing constituents in minority neighborhoods information and resources, like the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Through my help, families facing homelessness received education and training relevant to apply for and obtain government support. Helping families maneuver these overwhelming administrative programs and the gratitude they conveyed was a life-changing experience and opened my eyes to the reality that these housing hardships are often felt most harshly by women.

What are your goals for your life? 

I hope to pursue both my passions professionally—riding and real estate development. I want to represent the United States on the global stage wearing the Team USA jacket, while working my way up through NeologyLife to become the next CEO. As CEO, I want to grow the company beyond Florida and become a national leader in the industry.
I aspire to be like Lucy Davis and Lillie Keenan, who competed at high levels of our sport while attending prestigious schools and working towards their academic goals.

What is the best thing about your life?

I love the dichotomy of my life. I’ve balanced my school life with my equestrian pursuits. I’ve been able to get an incredible traditional education at Ransom Everglades School in Miami. I’ve landed from equestrian competitions across the country to go directly to my school’s homecoming and football games with school friends. I look forward to going to college next year and delving into my new academic community, while continuing to be a part of my equestrian community. I love being multifaceted and embracing my different passions, interests and aspirations.

Best-kept secret about what you do?

I love barrel racing. When I first started riding, I rode Western with my uncle. I have barrel raced at rodeos and still do occasionally, and I think part of why I love the jumpers is because of my start as a barrel racer.

 

Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: cuba, Elysian Stables, grand prix village, John Brennan, MHS Carndenta, Mia Albelo, Missy Clark, wellington

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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
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