Most little girls loves horses at one point or another, but Shelby Ashline has turned that love into a passion. The sophomore at the University of Massachusetts has just started to create a Bachelor Degree with Individual Concentration involving equine management, journalism and communications.
This passion was founded at a young age when she would drive with her grandmother in Saint Albans, VT to see the horses around town. Her aunt also owned a few horses.NICE
This passion was founded at a young age when she would drive with her grandmother in Saint Albans, VT to see the horses around town. Her aunt also owned a few horses.NICE
At the age of nine, Shelby received her first horse, an American Shetland named Luc. They got him when he was only two, “and still mentally a baby.” She and her mom trained Luc by themselves.
“He turned out really well in the end though, and I think he’s all the more special to me because we learned and grew up together.”
Luc is not her only horse. She has had to two other horses, both quarter horses, named King and Charlie.
“He turned out really well in the end though, and I think he’s all the more special to me because we learned and grew up together.”
Luc is not her only horse. She has had to two other horses, both quarter horses, named King and Charlie.
Eventually, they had to sell King and Charlie “because horses are just a huge expense and hard to afford." Luc stays with Shelby’s aunt.
Shelby has also extended her passion into extracurricular activities. she recently joined the Equestrian Riding Club on campus. They ride once a week in groups of five at Hadley Farm.
“I'm one of two new girls this semester and the others are really generous when it comes to helping me find the horse I'm supposed to ride or the tack I'll be using, and I even carpool to the farm with them," Ashline said.
She looks forward to eventually going to shows with the team. She has competed before, though in small local shows with about 200 people. In order to go to bigger and competitive horse shows, she would of had to travel a lot. “Especially in Vermont when there’s often no sign of life for miles,” she said.
“I'm one of two new girls this semester and the others are really generous when it comes to helping me find the horse I'm supposed to ride or the tack I'll be using, and I even carpool to the farm with them," Ashline said.
She looks forward to eventually going to shows with the team. She has competed before, though in small local shows with about 200 people. In order to go to bigger and competitive horse shows, she would of had to travel a lot. “Especially in Vermont when there’s often no sign of life for miles,” she said.
Shelby’s passion is one that encompasses her life, from her studies to her extracurricular to even the horse tattoo on her back.
There is just something about riding a horse, the connection between the horse and the rider, that is undeniable. But also the way it makes her feel.
“I love riding because it lets you slip away from all the problems that you’re facing in life. It helps to de-stress, I think because for that time it’s just you and your buddy, the horse, and you forget about everything else.”
To find something does that, is magical.
There is just something about riding a horse, the connection between the horse and the rider, that is undeniable. But also the way it makes her feel.
“I love riding because it lets you slip away from all the problems that you’re facing in life. It helps to de-stress, I think because for that time it’s just you and your buddy, the horse, and you forget about everything else.”
To find something does that, is magical.
By Lauren McArdle
