Even through graduation is only a few days away, I am grateful to say that I have established a forever home at LIU Post.

As a four-year member of the equestrian team, I have made friendships that will last a lifetime and memories that are equally indelible.

When I came to LIU Post in 2013, the equestrian team was classified as a club sport. We rode once a week at the barn on campus, North Shore Equestrian Center, and we practiced on the few school horses that we were allowed to use. I was able to train with an amazing coach, Jennifer Hennick, who taught me all the rules of the collegiate competition and aided me in successfully qualifying for regionals and zones individually. My freshman year was also a particularly special year for my team and myself, because it was the first year in history that LIU Post won a regional bid to zones.

Fast forward to this year, we are now an NCAA Division II program and won the regional bid to zones again; for the second time in LIU Post's history.

Now that we are a varsity team, we ride six days a week, on a wide variety of different horses that allow us to enhance our level of training. We also have the prodigious opportunity to train with Brooke Chasin.

Within the two years that she has coached me, she has catalyzed my riding abilities and continuously supported me inside and outside the ring. Possibly my most treasured experience while riding for Post was winning the Cacchione Cup this year. I always aspired to go to nationals, and now in two short days, I will be leaving for nationals to represent my school and my region at Kentucky Horse Park.