My passion for animals began when I joined a local 4H club in 4th grade. Our club leader always pushed us to try new things, and I was encouraged to join their Horse Project. We started with only a small group of kids, but I could tell our leader had a passion for horses and teaching. It was the first time I had ever done something with horses and I was instantly obsessed. There’s something about simple interactions with those animals that would allow me to take a break and live in the moment. The barn quickly became my favorite place, where I felt at peace and like my true self. One of my biggest tasks was being put in charge of working with a young pony named Stormy. She was too small to ride, but she needed work with manners and basic tasks like being led, groomed, and bathed. The more I worked with Stormy the more she improved. She gained weight and became friendlier and calmer. I entered her in some horse shows in showmanship, halter, in-hand trail, and costume classes. And we won some! This upcoming spring, we plan to begin working with her to train her to be ridden, and I am beyond excited to see her potential. I have truly built a strong connection with this sweet pony. She often follows my car along the pasture fence when I leave, and is usually the first horse to come over and say hi. She watches me as I ride or work with other horses, almost like she is waiting patiently for her turn. Knowing I have helped with her progression inspires me to keep making a difference. Over the last 8 years, I have watched our program grow tremendously. Young kids with passions just like mine continue to join the club. And while I may have won prizes and ribbons from competitions and shows, ultimately I have won a deeper connection with my group. I have observed younger members learn and grow just as I once did. Assisting them in their journeys fills me with pride, knowing I am impacting these children's lives. I’ve made some of my closest friends through sharing a common passion for animals. We push each other to try new things, and we learn together. Animals can be unpredictable, and each one has its qualities and challenges. I’ve learned to welcome the challenge because I know that by having determination, I can work it out. There are still hard days when my patience and skill are tested, but I know I shouldn’t give up. Even though learning new things can be frustrating, the sense of accomplishment when you’ve found your way is far worth it. Over the past few years, I've truly loved my experiences with animals, which made it an easy decision to continue on this path for my future. This fall, I will be going to college to major in animal science and taking equine courses to continue riding and learning. Once I graduate I want to look into jobs in animal research or later pursue veterinary school. Watching the incredible impact animals have had on my life fills me with excitement as I look forward to studying them in college and exploring more opportunities to work closely with them. I hope that my efforts will make a positive difference in the lives of animals, and I can't wait to share my passion with others!