Caitlin + Friday – American Quarter Horse Association, Level 2 World Champions

Real talk. I was the kid who borrowed every possible library book she could find on horses when she was 10. I researched as much as I could and believed that If I just knew enough about them maybe my parents would let me get one one day. But you see my parents divorced when I was seven and between me going between houses with my older brother, there was just no real way I would have been able to upkeep a horse. Horses are also very expensive as most of you know and this just wasn’t in the cards for me at this time in my life.

About two years into my horse obsession, I was lucky enough to have a kind neighbor train me to ride her horses after she heard how much I dreamed of being around them. I don’t think I had ever been so excited about anything before besides getting an American Girl doll for Christmas when I was eight years old.  It was epic. It was exhilarating. And that sweet time of my life always left a very warm place in my heart for these incredible animals.

Fast forward 20+ years…I never did get to own a horse (yet), but I did realize how much I desired to photograph them later in life. I found Caitlin though good ol’ Instagram and we connected and decided to set up a fun Lifestyle session with her and her amazing horse, Friday. Cameron (my husband) and I drove out to Harwington, Connecticut for this dreamy wintery session and all of my little girl horse dreams came true this day.

I love Caitlin’s love for her horse and the relationship they developed through time and trust. I asked her If she would mind sharing a little about herself for this blog post because these two have done some pretty epic things together in the horse show world.

About Caitlin: I grew up outside of Burlington, VT where I have family currently. I began riding horses 17 years ago at a local farm and grew up participating in 4-H. I continued to pursue my riding into showing at state and regional events until I found my current trainers at Powder Brook Farm in Harwinton, CT about 7 years ago. I traveled down from most weekends and summers to train with them and began showing nationally. I show primarily in huntseat equitation and showmanship and also compete in western events (horsemanship). Showing on the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) circuit has allowed me to travel from east coast to west coast competing at large shows and world events. “Friday” is the fourth horse I owned. I bought him when he was a 3yo in 2014. We have since been regional champions on the circuit as well as world champions. In 2016 we were AQHA level 2 world champions in the Amateur hunt seat equitation and in 2016, 2017, 2018 top 10 in the level 2 and level 3 Amateur hunt seat equitation in Oklahoma City, OK.

Friday the Horse: Friday is my big dog, he is extremely friendly and quiet. He is a big ham, looooooves attention and aims to please. He’s one of the only horses in the farm that hangs his head out the stall doors for attention from any person (or dog!) that walks by. He loves peppermints and takes far too many naps 🙂  Its bittersweet as I will be selling him soon to further my career and hope to continue to ride/train in my free time.

Aside from horses I enjoy: staying active; running, yoga, hiking, I love to cook, travel and be with my family & friends. My family has been extremely supportive in my passion for horses and in my career. I am a full-time pediatric occupational therapist working in a local outpatient multi-sensory clinic (where I do land and aquatic sessions). I am also a licensed elementary teacher (I did my studies–Bachelors & Masters for them both in VT & CT). I have always loved working with kids and am currently working towards completing my therapeutic riding instructor certification through PATH Intl. to continue to pair my passion for horses with my passion for occupational therapy and children.