Youngsters form equine bonds early in life

There's an old saying, “There's something about the outside of the horse that is good for the inside of the man.”

While its origin is uncertain, some sources say it dates back to ancient Greece. In more modern times, it has also been credited to Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan.

Nowhere is this more evident than with young people who have grown up with horses as an integral part of their lives.

'Being at the barn is also like home to me'

Lanci Borota-Athens of Geneva began riding with her mother when she was 9 months old. At 18 months, she was in lead-line classes on a pony.

“She surpassed me by the time she was 5,” recalled Paulette Borota, Lanci's mother.

By age 7, Borota-Athens was spending summers near Shannon, Ireland, with her mother while honing her skills as an equestrian.

“The Irish have horses in their hearts,” Borota-Athens said.

During her summers in Ireland, Borota-Athens rode cross country, rode with the Irish hunts and competed in numerous Irish national show jumping events by the time she was 17.

Growing up, Borota-Athens was fortunate to always own her own pony or horse, which was a good experience, as she focused on show jumping.

“It's teaching you to be thorough. Check your horse and tack,” Borota-Athens explained. “You have a check list in your brain.”

“As an only child, her pony was her sibling,” explained Borota. “This is a love you have that keeps you healthy and so mentally sharp.”

“You have to be fair to yourself and to your horse and both of you can only be pushed so far,” said Borota-Athens.

Now married and the mother of 1-year-old twins, riding continues to hold her attention and is her passion.

“I have my own family — my husband, Andrew, and boys, Seamus and Paul — but being at the barn is also like home to me,” Borota-Athens said.

After 15 years of showing ponies and horses, Borota-Athens is using her training skills to start her own business. Her current horse is a 2-year-old seal brown American Warmblood named Imperial Art.

“I will be getting him ready for his show career,” said Borota-Athens. “When he is ready, I will sell him and buy another promising young horse and will start the process all over again.”

Her advice to other young horse enthusiasts is simple.

“The pony rider needs a dedicated support system to get to the barn and to have the experience of a lifetime of love for horses,” Borota-Athens said.

“Show jumping and going to shows is fine, while some people just love to ride for pleasure,” concluded Borota-Athens. “Going to the barn, getting on a horse and riding — this is for everyone.”

'I didn't go to the beach with my friends; I went to the barn'

Brittany Wancho of Lindenhurst grew up with horses, as did her mother, Vickie Wancho.

“I had a horse since I was 5,” recalled Vickie. “My parents didn't pay for the horse; I had to work, clean the barn, do chores. It was a huge responsibility.”

After Vickie was married and her children were little, she had an old broodmare that she rode with the kids. Brittany would go on trail rides with her mom and sit on the back of the saddle.

“It was a blast,” said Brittany. “I don't know not having a horse.”

When all the kids were in school, Vickie wanted to get a horse and a job that she could work around their school schedule. She began working for Fred Carney of Carney Farms.

“I'm the rider; I get horses ready to be sold,” Vickie explained.

Meanwhile, Brittany competed in lead-line and walk-trot classes. When she was 8 years old, she was in her first 4-H show with an Arabian horse, Portia, that she shared with her older sister, Samantha. Every year, she had a new horse for her 4-H project and she showed hunter under saddle as well as western.

At first, selling Portia devastated Brittany.

“But my skill kept going up and I wanted to challenge myself,” Brittany said. “And we found good homes for the horses, with people we knew.”

Brittany recalled summers spent riding horses. She was committed and devoted to that project and wanted to do everything correctly.

“I didn't go to the beach with my friends; I went to the barn,” she said. “I made sure the horse was shiny, healthy and happy. If they're not happy, I'm not happy.”

At 23, Brittany is training horses part time at Double W Stables in Gurnee along with her mother and working part-time as a large animal veterinarian assistant.

“I had a corporate job and wasn't happy with it,” said Brittany. “I always wanted to work with animals. There were so many days where I'd have had a rotten, miserable day. Being with the horses — it's my getaway.”

'Riding improved my confidence'

Riding and working with horses since she was 8 gave Lori Coffell more confidence in herself. With an associate's degree in applied science in equine management, she has been teaching nearly 40 years and is a riding instructor at Foxcreek Stable in Wauconda.

“Riding as a child opened up a new world for me,” Coffell said. “At age 13, I started trail guiding. I wanted to help people with horses and help the horses, too.”

Coffell sees a lot of kids “come out of their shell” when they are with horses. Horses pickup the tone of voice and demeanor of the person working with them.

“They get interaction time with the horse and open up,” explained Coffell. “It makes their whole week when they're here. The more time they have to spend, the happier they are.”

Fourteen-year-old Ada Sieminski of Palatine has “loved horses from the beginning”, starting with pony rides when she was little.

After three years of riding, she went to a horse camp in Michigan this summer. This is also her first year of showing and she already has championship and reserve championship ribbons with Kramer, a dark bay school horse that she leases at Foxcreek Stable.

“Riding improved my confidence. Riding different horses, you learn different things each time,” Ada said. “You bond with them and learn more.”

While most go to the stable to ride and be with the horses, making friendships with people there, as well as with the horses, is also important.

“Friends don't have to have two legs and you meet friends with the same interest,” Ada explained.

“Horses are really amazing animals,” said 17-year-old Haley Palmer of Wauconda. “With a variety of school horses, you learn a lot of patience, as each horse is extremely different.”

Palmer began riding when she was 4. While she rode Western for five years, her interest has changed to English and jumping as a pleasure rider. While she doesn't have her own horse, she rides at Foxcreek Stable, often twice a week. She was enthusiastic after a recent lesson.

“I'm exhausted, but I don't want to leave,” Palmer smiled. “I'd just keep riding if I could.”

Because of her involvement with horses, she wants to go to veterinary school to become a large animal vet, specifically for horses.

“Horses are a lot of work; you have to be dedicated,” Palmer said. “They teach you to never give up, no matter what happens. Even if you fall, you have to get back on.”