Thank you to adidas for sponsoring this post on how I stay healthy and active through my favorite sport! As always, all opinions are entirely my own.
Growing up, I wasn’t the girl who played on a bunch of different sports teams. I never joined my best friends on the cheerleading squad or at soccer camp. I’d applaud from the sidelines all day long and could appreciate the appeal, but there was something else that captivated me and took up the majority of my time as a child (and well into adulthood).
What started out as a spontaneous family horseback ride through the woods during a summer vacation years ago quickly turned into a lifelong obsession. I fell in love with horses from a young age, and funnily enough my parents did too.
It wasn’t long after that trip to Lake George that my parents and I started taking riding lessons at a local barn in our area. It wasn’t too long after that, that my parents and I all got our first horses and really dove into the sport.
We’ve spent countless hours at the barn together over the years riding, taking care of our mounts, and having fun. It’s these memories and the constant flow of good times that have kept me involved in the equestrian world to this day. I even rode on the equestrian team at college, where I met four of my very best friends, roommates, and bridesmaids.
There’s undoubtedly something special about finding a passion that helps keep you healthy and active. To find something though that challenges me physically, emotionally, and mentally every time I get the opportunity to perform…it’s invaluable. It’s even more amazing that it’s a sport I’ve been able to share with my biggest supporters and mentors — my parents.
Though I don’t compete as much nowadays as I did in my teens (hello full-time job and adult responsibilities), I love that I’m still able to enjoy the sport I’ve grown up with. Some of my friends have lost interest in riding over the years, and I think it’s made a huge difference for me that it’s still something my mom and I can do together. It’s as much a way to get exercise and stay active as it is an excuse to hangout with my mom!
In addition to staying healthy and active with my parents, it’s also incredibly important to me to feel comfortable while doing it. It’s hard to enjoy the sport I love if I don’t have the appropriate sportswear to be active in.
Since I spend long days at the barn and at horse shows taking care of the animals and cheering on my teammates, you can always find me in my adidas sneakers when I’m not riding. They have incredible support and are easy to clean, which are both essentials for this sport!
I also love my adidas tights, as they’re super stretchy and comfortable for running around. Like I said, comfortable clothing is a must.
Overall, I am so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy this sport for more than 14 years. There have been ups and downs, but I’ve learned so much from these intelligent, kind, and powerful animals, and I’ve been able to learn these life lessons right along with the people who mean the most to me.
Is there a sport that runs in your family? What’s your favorite, must-have workout gear?
