May 31, 2016 
I was emailed by the United States Equestrian Federation last week with an inquiry. Someone had filed a complaint into my amateur status and they were asking for a rebuttal. How did I wish to respond to these statements? Could I defend myself?
I responded back to the USEF with a bulleted list. I told them I had in fact managed Hinkle Farms, but this complaint was both unfounded and amusing. I told them the idea of me profiting off training horses and teaching lessons was completely incorrect. And, I explained the fact that I had trained a horse for the Retired Racehorse Project that was owned by my (super) significant other, but I had legally purchased just a few weeks ago.
Yes, I had been first the yearling manager at Hinkle Farms, then the assistant manager. I foaled mares, groomed yearlings, stared at them as they walked around an Equicizer, and I studied the black screen of ultrasound machines as we scanned reproductive tracts. There was no riding involved, and if being the manager of this farm meant I was a professional rider then so is every veterinarian, vet tech and farrier. Even more amusing to this complaint was the fact I hadn’t worked there in over 3.5 years.
And my second defense: Nixon. I had trained Nixon without profit. Luke did not pay me for training rides nor did he pay me for competitions. He owned the horse, and therefore paid for his board, bills and his life. I rode the horse, and thus in charge of his grooming, maintenance, his biting when least expected, a few kicks here and there and holding him with a chain shank for the farrier. The game plan was for us to sell him and split the profit 50/50. Instead, I fell in love, and purchased him myself from Luke last month after selling another horse.
The USEF was amazing to work with and nothing about this is directed at their staff. They were easy, amicable, friendly and professional. So when they asked for a bill of sale between Luke and I, in addition to a written document from Hinkle Farms stating the dates that I worked there, both were quickly provided.
Then I got angry.
Because of someone’s overt concern over my life, I spent the majority of my day on Friday defending the suck. Hours that could have been spent studying equine disease and infertility. Time that could have been utilized to ride my ponies. Explaining to the USEF that I was, truly, and obviously, an amateur, and that none of these inquiries violated any of the rules.
I laughed as I explained just how amateur I am…
Four years ago I entered my first horse show in a decade. Last year I completed my first training level event of my life. And today, well, today I finally earned my first two scores towards my bronze medal in dressage…at FIRST level.
This is my life.
I do not teach lessons. I do not train other peoples horses. I spend the majority of my day hacking on the buckle at a walk, sometimes bareback, sometimes bridleless, and usually with a smile. If I can afford it, which is rarely on my graduate student budget, I take lessons with a select few people here in Lexington who I feel are the best. If I can’t afford it, I go and school with friends whose constructive criticism I appreciate. I circle, and I jump. Occasionally I gallop. And sometimes I rope. All the while listening to the latest Beyonce or Taylor Swift on my iPhone. Usually alone.
Then, quite often, as Denny Emerson says, I ride. I ride whatever horse is offered to me. I get on big ones, little ones, grey ones, red ones, with whatever tack. Last week it was XC schooling a horse for a friend, and next week it is demonstrating western pleasure at the Kentucky 4-H Judging Competition. But the difference between me and Denny? He gets paid, and I do not.
I have turned down so many opportunities in order to maintain my amateur status. I have turned down money, sponsors, teaching clinics and horses. After RRP last year I was offered horses in training off of the track and asked to help others with their difficult mounts. If they were local, I would offer to help, FOR FREE. Because I have been there. I also rely on friends who are great riders and even better horsemen. I feel as though this is how the industry works—cyclically, with us all helping each other.
I told the lovely lady at USEF all of this while also quickly telling her this vent session was by no means targeted at her. This system is just set up so backwards that we all spend more time defending the suck than actually proving the greatness.
Because that is all it needed. No rating, no tax statement proving income. No record statement proving an upper level career, no ribbon ceremony. Just a simple email—one consisting of 5 words—and I am officially a professional rider.
So, after supplying her with all of the documents and the information needed to prove I was truly an amateur, I switched. Four hours defending the suck was followed by a one line email stating that I wanted to turn professional.
Because, at the end of the day, I refuse to do this again. I refuse to take my own time, as well as the time of my previous employers, friends and family, to defend my suck. If it means more peace of mind, less time dealing with this crap and an increased chance of making $20 a week off a training ride on a 16-year-old laminitic quarter horse that can afford me a single cup of Starbucks, then COUNT ME IN.
So here goes kids. As of Friday, I am a professional rider.
Frank being Frank. Photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog
I am now (obviously) great. I woke up on Saturday with lower heels, higher eyes and a left arm that suddenly and miraculously listens to my brain. I am Mary King, William Fox Pitt, and Buck Davidson all rolled into one. I will obviously get sponsored by Amerigo and Vespucci, Eskedron and Eby, and tackle all of the Four Stars in the world. And maybe, just maybe, now that I am a professional rider, I will stop getting bucked off of Frank.
Because I am done defending the suck and I will begin to embrace the greatness. Bring on this world, one professionally ridden cross rail at a time!
Read more at A Yankee in Paris.
About the Author
Carleigh Fedorka is a Ph.D. student at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center. A Pennsylvania native, she moved to Kentucky after graduating from St. Lawrence University and has worked closely in all aspects of the thoroughbred industry. She spends her free time eventing as well as training, selling, and rehoming OTTBs. Read more about her horse life at her blog, A Yankee in Paris.
