Hello SmartPak and our wonderful customers! Greetings from Boulder, Colorado; I’m here at the University of Colorado which I love, but I must say I do miss the east coast and of course everyone at SmartPak. As a freshman I was not able to bring my horse, Chopin, all the way across the country with me. Although I miss him terribly every day, and get updates on him almost as much, I still have been able to ride out here. I mostly event, which is the main reason I am not on the Colorado Club Equestrian team. Instead, when I got here I went to some barns in the area and handed out my resume of riding experience. I spoke with barn managers and expressed an interest in doing any sort of catch riding for people who are either going out of town or just need a little help exercising their horse. I’ve made a few great contacts and am able to ride weekly! It’s amazing how many ranches there are out here – it’s truly a sight! Hope all is well, see you over Christmas break! Anna
Entering my second year at UMass Amherst I have become quite involved in the riding program. I am fortunate enough to ride in lessons two times a week at a great facility with wonderful horses. In addition to the two lessons I take, I am also a member of the UMass Equestrian Team. Every Wednesday night the team has a practice that usually lasts for around five hours in order to prepare us for our IHSA horse shows. UMass provides students with great opportunities to continue and further their riding careers with some of the greatest trainers in the region. I feel very fortunate to be a part of both the team and program. Jill
I’m Abbey, a freshman at the University of Delaware. The day I found out that I was not going to be able to bring my horse to school with me, I decided I would join the equestrian team. I have to say, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Not only has it kept me in good riding shape, but it has also introduced me to a whole new group of friends that are just as horse crazy as me! The team is awesome; I absolutely love it! It has also made me a much more versatile rider, because it forced me to constantly ride unfamiliar horses. Joining the team was a great way to make new friends at school and do something I love all at the same time! Abbey
Jen as a rider: Apparently I've been obsessed with horses since I was born, and I used to beg for pony rides on a regular basis. I started showing in 4-H, progressed to equitation and jumpers in high school and rode on the IHSA team in college where I also discovered the joys of eventing! After graduating I learned how to sit while working for a dressage trainer and now am a committed low-level eventer in the ever-elusive quest to put together three solid phases. Jen as a SmartPaker: I manage SmartPak's Retail Store in Natick, MA - if you are ever in the area, please stop by to say hi and check out all our amazing products in person! We also have a fantastic clearance section with some unbelievable deals. All about Tally: Taliafera is a 9 year old TB/WB chestnut mare and she is just starting her eventing career. She was very green when I got her last year, so we spent a lot of time exploring the great outdoors and learning that the dressage arena is really not that bad. She loves to jump and has gotten quite bold in the XC, so I'm excited to start showing!
