Growing up, it seems like I played nearly every sport – soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, dance, figure skating, gymnastics, and others. Deep down, however, I really just wanted to ride horses. I was the occasional “lesson kid” for a couple years until I convinced my parents to let me join a competitive barn in 2022. I competed in my first horse show in December of that year. I always knew that I wanted to do equitation, so in August 2023 I first competed in hunters with the end-goal of competing in equitation, which I began in January 2024. I recognize that I had a relatively late start but believe that my deep commitment to the sport has put me on a steep upward trajectory such that I’m now in a position to compete in meaningful classes.
Going into this 2024 season, my goal was simply to reach the 3’3” equitation. I have exceeded my own expectations and those of my trainers by qualifying for NHS Medal Finals, Hunt Seat Medal Finals, and CPHA Style of Riding – all at the 3’3”. To round out my skill set, I also began competing in jumpers again this June and have qualified for Zone Jumper Team Championships in both the 1.0m and 1.10 divisions.
I am a junior (Class of 2026) at Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, CA where I maintain a 4.3 GPA and take AP and honors classes. In addition to my classwork, I have developed an interest in health sciences and its potential to impact patient care. As such, I recently completed an internship over the summer at the lab of Dr. Monica Guma, Chief of the Division of Rheumatology, Autoimmunity, and Inflammation at UC San Diego. I am also helping lead an effort to improve the lives of underprivileged lupus patients living in the San Diego area. In addition to my academic and extracurricular commitments, I work at the barn every Sunday to help pay for my training – but I love spending time and the barn and with my barn-mates, so it doesn’t feel like work!
~ Avery Socks