Kylie Harrington is a 12-year-old equestrian living in Nederland, Colorado. Kylie is the daughter of Pam Rose, the owner of Good Life Pilates.

Horses have always been a part of Kylie’s life. She shares, “My mom put me on a horse with a trainer in a clinic when I was 13 weeks old. After age seven, horses became my escape. They are my happy place.”

Kylie says horses give her a sense that nothing can stop her and she can do anything. She confesses feeling powerful riding a horse. What she likes about competing is having goals, structure, and something that motivates her to try hard and learn. “It makes you have to put your best foot forward and try.”

Kylie competes with a horse whose show name is Abracadabra, which she shares is Hebrew for “What I speak, I create.” They call her Abby. Abby, the horse, lives with Kylie, her mom, their dog, cat, and two other horses.

Cowboy Dressage is Kylie’s favorite competition. What a horse does during Cowboy Dressage is not as important as how the horse does it. The goal of Cowboy Dressage is the harmonious, subtle, and relaxed flow of information between horse and rider.

Kylie loves that about the competition. She also loves the support of the community and the beliefs the competition reflects. “I love what you are judged on, which is all about working with your horse and being in cohesion. It’s not about control. It’s about learning to work with your horse and your connection with your horse.”

Kylie’s favorite part about riding is becoming one with the horse, in the sense that everything disappears from her mind, and all that matters is riding. “You sort of melt into your horse into a place of zen. Your worries and problems just fade out.”

“You have the music of life and the music of your horse. When you are on your horse, the music of life fades out, and the music of your horse gets stronger,” Kylie confesses.

When asked who her equestrian role model is, Kylie proudly answered, “My mom. She has a sense of knowingness. She doesn’t freak out on a horse, ever. She sometimes gets mad at it, but she deeply understands horses. It’s hard to explain, but it’s really beautiful.”

Kylie thinks horses are a powerful experience that offers you a chance to be a part of something other than yourself. She wishes everyone could experience something so magical at least once.

Though she’s interested in a career in design, she always wants to have horses in her life. While she continues to ride, Kylie’s overall goals for riding are “to continue to move to higher-level tests and get higher scores. I want to grow with my horse and with my skill and become the best rider I can be.”

Recently, Kylie became the Cowboy Dressage Regional Youth High Point Champion in both Open Court and Challenge Court. The Region includes Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Kylie and Pam wish to thank the local businesses who sponsored Kylie.

A heartfelt thanks go to The Deli at 8236, Nederland Feed and Pet, James DeWalt Photography, B and F Mountain Market, Women’s Quest, Mountain People’s Co-op, Boogie Records, Blue Owl Books, Bobby Budex, Sharlene Kesler, Burr and Mary Wilcox, Debbie Gaffney, Sheila Maloney, and Eric Bernstorff.

Kylie may be 12, but she’s a pristine example of what it’s like to have dreams and goals and stop at nothing to achieve them. Congratulations, and thank you for inspiring your community, Kylie!