Campbell Turner

One thing that most people may not know about me at first glance, is that I am an equestrian. The meaning of this word is just someone who rides horses, but I did not define myself, until I earned it after years of dedication. I began riding lessons when I was eight years old. They consisted of once a month getting plopped on a horse, touching your toes to learn balance, all while single handedly being led around by an actual equestrian. Safe to say they did not trust me with this 1000-pound animal at just eight years old. When this new hobby became the center of my world, and after begging my mom to get me into private lessons is when my journey actually began. These private lessons turned into competing in the local shows, southeast region 4-H shows, award galas, and state titles. After spending seven years of this repetition, I saved up my own money and bought my very own horse.

Witness Protection (Whitney), a holsteiner thoroughbred sitting at 16.2 hands, was my prized possession. She introduced me to the world of eventing, a three phased Olympic show. An eventing show is recognized to start with a standing dressage score, stadium jumping, and cross-country round. I spent three amazing years with Whitney, and our bond was like nothing else I have ever felt before. And when I felt this bond, it was where I finally considered myself a real equestrian.