Sunday, August 19, 2007

JUGGLING SCHOOL & RIDING

Recently, someone asked how I find the time to ride, do well in school and go to many horse shows. In June 2007, I graduated from Holmdel High School in Holmdel, New Jersey, which is part of a progressive, competitive school district with a school board policy that accommodates students who participate in outside sports/activities such as riding, skiing, acting, etc. It was a fortunate, valuable bonus to attend a school district that validated my riding experiences. If you watched Horse Power, on one of the episodes, I attended a meeting with the Holmdel High School Vice Principal and my mother and we discussed outstanding assignments due upon my return from an excused absence.

My teachers were generally quite supportive of my riding although a few of them penalized my grades when I did not meet a time line for work submission. However, for the most part, I was quite lucky to attend a great school with supportive administrators and teachers. In addition to the school's support, my parents provided some tutoring during the school year and home schooling during the third marking period while I was in Florida. Several of my barn mates have been forced to choose full time home schooling because they could not gain adequate support from their schools for their riding activities.

My parents have set expectations for me academically and always said they would not push me to excel if they didn't know I was capable. Their encouragement and standards have helped me to achieve the best grades possible. My parent's serious financial commitment and emotional support has been an inspiration and when I do well in school and as a working student, at least from one perspective, my intentions and commitment show them that I am grateful for what they have done for me.

I was accepted to Rutgers University in New Jersey but have deferred until the fall of 2008. This fall will be my last chance to show at indoors as a junior and with continued parental support, I will focus solely on my riding goals. After December 1st, I will be working for Beacon Hill Show Stables. In the spring of 2008, my plans include taking some college courses which will be approved by Rutgers University and continuing to work and ride for Beacon Hill.

Catch up with me later this week for an update on the Monmouth County Horse Show.
Talk to you later!
Maria Schaub

21 Comments:

At Wed Aug 22, 09:24:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What kind of eq boots do you recommend?

 
At Wed Aug 22, 10:08:00 PM, Blogger Audra said...

Thanks, again, for answering my question!!! When you said you wanted to work at Beacon Hill, did you meen to keep traing other people's horses or do you hope to become an instructor too? If so, I would do ANYTHING to take a lesson from you! If you have the time, I started a blog too just for fun and I would love it if you read it! Good luck at the next show!

a.a.e

 
At Thu Aug 23, 03:56:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maria:
By the written commentaries you leave, it is obvious you are a well rounded young lady. Not many teenagers are so mature and well spoken (written) as you are. I feel, as a teacher/parent, that you are a role model for the young people who read this blog. Tell your parents for me that they have done a good job. Keep up the good work!!

 
At Thu Aug 23, 08:57:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Maria,
I left a comment on your last post, but maybe you didn't see it. How can your parents afford you showing at the Big Eq level? I just did Lexington National, and mini eq, and that was a struggle. I'll be moving up to Big Eq in 2 years. Any suggestions on sponsors?

Thanks.

 
At Thu Aug 23, 09:47:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

well congrads on your acceptance to Rutgers maria! this fall i'll have to start the applying-to-colleges thing:/ what i have is to go to a jc then transfer to a UC(one with an equine studies program has a good acceptance rate of transfers)to get all the basic/required corss out of the way and focus on, of course, riding:)
lol sorry if that was alittle weird that i just shared my college plans lol
~alina

 
At Thu Aug 23, 10:53:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi maria!

I was just wondering what your thoughts were on majoring in equine studies in college vs riding on the side, like you're doing. It is my number one goal to go to a college with a riding program, and i wanted to know why you chose what you did and if you have any suggestions about riding during the college years...

Thanks!
p.s. i love your blog!

 
At Thu Aug 23, 11:22:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

That seems sooo exciting....
Good Luck in your last year of juniors and working a Beacon Hill!

 
At Fri Aug 24, 06:30:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey maria!
I was just wondering...how many days do you usually miss for shows? Do you mostly go on weekends or are there a lot of the shows on the weekdays?

Good luck at the next horse show!!! =]

Cassie

 
At Sat Aug 25, 12:05:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Maria!

I just wanted to know what you do as a working student at Beacon Hill (besides riding of course!)Also, what is your ideal future career path as far as working at Beacon Hill and riding? I would be interested to know. Thanks! Good Luck at Monmouth and the Hampton Classic!

 
At Sun Aug 26, 10:46:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maria-
I am thinking about becoming a working student at a show barn. You have mentioned that you are one, but I have a couple questions about how to become one...
do you have to ride at the barn for a long time first?
do you get paid?
how did you become a working student in the first place?
...

It would be very helpful to all of us the want to become working students if you could let us know a little more about being one...

Thanks!
good luck at the hampton classic

 
At Sun Aug 26, 03:26:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

^
I'd also like to know about the whole working student program.

Thanks!

 
At Sun Aug 26, 08:40:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey maria some questions...

1. Do you get time to hang out with your friends from school ever?


-I don't whenever im at horse shows and it makes me depressed when I go back to school because I lose a lot of them. HELP


2. I need help with my distances. What do you do? Whats your best advice? Do you have to look up or down at the jump? Do you count 3..2..1.. before the jump? HELP :(

3. How did you first start getting catchrides? Do you ever ask Frank to let you ride and show some of his horses or did he always ask you?

 
At Mon Aug 27, 01:18:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your Monmouth Jumper Classic win! Good Luck at the Hampton Classic!

 
At Tue Aug 28, 11:36:00 AM, Blogger EquiSearch.com said...

Re: Working students, check out this article on EquiSearch.com for some insight: A Working Student's Life.

 
At Tue Aug 28, 11:46:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maria, I can't explain to you how much of an inspiration you are to me. After seeing you on horsepower, and even before that, i've been following your show records. I am such a huge fan and look up to you. I consider you one of my greatest riding heros. You always do well on the horses that you are riding.
You are such an inspiration and one of my heros. Thank you.

--Sara Reinheimer

 
At Wed Aug 29, 06:08:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good luck this week at the hampton classic! I'll be there to whatch tomorrow

 
At Wed Aug 29, 11:27:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Maria,
I had a question about Whimsey's injury from a while back. My horse tore her suspensory ligament in her left foreleg last September (they call them lesions on the ultrasound where the tear is) and I know Whimsey's injury was to his suspensory ligament as well. I was wondering if you could give me some information on his injury, how long he was out (I think you said 18 months?), what you did to help him treatments-wise, and just some information from someone who has been in my situation. You don't know how much I'd appreciate it.
- Holly

 
At Thu Aug 30, 06:27:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations on 3rd today! You rode beautifully!! Good luck saturday!

 
At Tue Sep 04, 02:58:00 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Maria,
Its wonderful to see a young rider like yourself sharing about your experiences to younger girls and giving them guidance and someone to look up to. They couldn't ask for a better role model from what I can tell. Congrats on that and keep up the good work!

I wanted to comment on school. You’re very fortunate to have parents and a school program that is so supportive of your interest. When I was in high school, I had to choose between school and riding--and my parents chose school. That exciting that you have been able to enjoy both areas for opportunities.
--Chelsea

 
At Sat Jul 12, 10:06:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

How many times do you have a lesson a week? Also, I can never find my distance or pace needed for the course, do you have any tips?

 
At Sun Aug 31, 01:44:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am going to be staying in florida for a couple months this winter, and was wondering if you have any helpful information about homeschooling/getting a tutor? My email is cincojumper8@aol.com. Thanks, Leah

 

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