Righ’s Our Guy

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Here, a rider from Region 1 shares how a change in community completely changed her experience in the horse world, finally allowing her to find confidence and fun in the sport!

By Erica Hilton

I am a plus-sized equestrian from Northern Virginia who works full-time during the day as a paralegal with the Prince William County Attorney’s Office. In the evening, I put on my plus-sized rider pants and enjoy my horse! I wanted to share my story, and while I am no writer, I think the point is VERY clear, and I wanted to share it with the YourDressage community!

All year round has pretty much turned into show season, which is something that I enjoy, having moved from Long Island, New York, to Northern Virginia. In my experience, the Long Island horse community was not very size-inclusive; it was small, and everyone knew everyone. 

When I went to shows, I could always feel the eyes staring at me. I was not tiny, or petite, and I did not fit the image of what I needed to be in order to be considered an equestrian (according to stereotypes). Even going back about ten years, I lost a significant amount of weight, and still did not feel as though I fit the Long Island criteria of what an equestrian was “supposed” to be.

I met my Off-The-Track Thoroughbred (OTTB), Righ, in January of 2019. My longtime barn had closed down, and I had lost my partner of many years as a result. My heart (and wallet) was not ready for a horse of my own; however, Righ needed someone to work with him. His owner had a handful of horses and did not have time for them all, and I needed a horse to ride to fill my heart and time! 

I started riding Righ, and found him to be a very different ride than I was used to; he was forward, a little bit crazy, and basically a freight train, but we clicked. At first, he was very grumpy and cranky, and he would try to bite anyone who walked past his stall. As time went on our bond grew, and I found myself becoming attached to him, quirks and all. I never imagined at first I would become so attached to this grumpy guy. 

Around the same time I started riding and free-leasing Righ, I also met my husband, Adam. Adam was not a horse guy, but he knew I was a horse girl when he met me. He and Righ clicked, and so he would help me at the barn, come with me when I rode, and put up with the crazy horse girl hours. 

Fast forward to May of 2019, and the day had come: Righ officially became mine. I was not entirely ready for a horse of my own, but they say the best things often come when we are not always ready. As time progressed, Righ started to blossom, our relationship grew, and we started really forming our partnership. I remember taking Righ, to our first ever jumper show together. This was a first for both of us, after having done hunters my whole life. I was not riding with a trainer at the time, but was doing my best to bring my own horse along as best I could. 

I remember going to the show, and Righ being extremely hot and spicy that day, but I could handle that. I was MORE worried about the eyes on me, for many reasons; I had a hot OTTB, everyone knew I was training him myself, and that I had no help with. But the biggest reason I felt eyes were on me was because I was curvy and shapely. I thought they were all thinking, “So, beyond having a hot horse, how can a curvy girl handle this OTTB?” 

We went in the ring and did all of our rounds; they were not pretty by any means, but they were a great learning experience. In the last round, right before the last line of the course, Righ slipped in the deep, wet footing. He fell to his knees, causing me to fly over his shoulder.

I remember getting myself up, and being so embarrassed. Not because my horse tripped and threw me, but because all I could think was that everyone was thinking I fell due to being larger; that I was unable to hold on and keep myself from falling. That was a very discouraging moment for me, and it knocked my confidence down. We were fortunate my horse only had a mild injury. He needed about eight weeks of stall/small paddock rest, and I was lucky I had not hurt myself more severely.

In December 2020, the day after Christmas, my husband and I moved to Northern Virginia, relocating for his new career. With Righ arriving a few days later, we started our new life in Virginia. Little did I know, this would be the start of a much more positive experience with the horse world. 

I started working with a trainer down here, found very inclusive riding barns and environments, and started showing again. I was doing more with horses than I had done in years. Never once did I feel ashamed because of my curvy size, or my horse being hot; in fact, it was just the opposite, I felt even more included than ever. I started focusing on jumpers and dressage, even dabbling in some eventing. Who would have thought that I, a curvy girl, with her hot and spicy rocket donkey could do all these things! 

I am in a place now where I am more confident than ever being curvy. I feel included and comfortable going to mostly any local shows here, which has created a more positive mindset for me overall, and given me more opportunities than I could have ever imagined. I am grateful for my husband who supports my love of the sport; my horse who tries his heart out for me; my trainer who pushes me because she knows I can do all the things; and my friends and family who have my back and support me!

Righ and I have found our forever home at Boxwood Farm, with beautiful rolling fields, and open pastures. He is on full field board and happier than ever! The move to Virginia not only offered my husband a new career, but new opportunities for Righ and I, and a beautiful start to a wonderful life for us all. 

Righ has taught me that the horse you never knew you needed is the one that often comes at the most unexpected time, and the horse that will teach you the most is usually the most difficult one. He has also taught me so much about myself. As a rider, Righ has taught me to trust others and myself more. He has made me realize that I can do anything I put my mind to – and that size does not matter while doing it!

I am looking forward to the day my husband and I have kids. The once grumpy, cranky horse has proven to be amazing with children, and I know our children will cherish him the way we do.