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Writer's pictureJen Allen

Interview With a Past Working Student - Lacey

I first met Lacey when she was ten, after her mother called saying that her daughter was horse crazy, and could she please come spends lots of time at the barn. Yes! There's nothing that tugs at my heart-strings more than a horse crazy kid. Combine that with a work ethic, and we've got magic! We didn't know exactly what to expect with a ten year old hanging around many hours a day, but our dreams were answered. Lacey was eager to learn, happy to work, and due to that advanced very quickly in her riding. She went from having never ridden to being confident and capable jumping up to 2' without stirrups in the first year, by working hard and practicing every little step along the way. I reached out to ask her some questions and put together a little info on what it was like being a working student when she was younger!



Riding lessons in Des Moines Iowa Jen Allen Horse Training
Lacey prepping for a class, around age 11 or 12.

You came to our barn as a very new beginner rider, age ten. You started immediately as a working student, not just in weekly lessons but coming out to work and learn many times a week. What fun things do you remember about the early days of riding and learning about horses? What do you remember maybe being scary or intimidating?


When I began spending time at the barn some of my favorite things were grooming, watching others ride, and soaking up everything I could learn by watching. (You called me a sponge with the way I would learn; from putting boots on horses, to riding/jumping, watching the chiropractor and farrier work, and more.} I asked questions. A lot of questions! Why this or why that, how do we do it, etc. I don’t remember being too scared, really. I was ambitious and eager to learn.


Hunter Jumper Riding Lessons Des Moines Iowa Jen Allen Training
Lacey showing hunters around age 12.

What do you remember as some big challenges? I remember that you spent a lot of your “free time” really working on what we had covered in lessons, devoting entire sessions to two-point after you first learned it, for example. I think this is part of why you advanced so quickly, going from a new rider to a competent one, able to jump bareback safely within the first year of riding. What are your thoughts?


Riding came naturally for me, but I spent a lot of time riding multiple horses a day once I had the basics down. Learning the posting trot and two-point at all gaits was definitely the most challenging as a new rider. Mentally the most challenging thing came a couple years later. For me, jumping anything over 4 foot was very intimidating.


You spent a lot of time at the stable, not just riding but helping around the barn, cleaning stalls, and getting horses ready for others to ride. How do you think this helped you as a young horsewoman and as a young person in general?


I did spend many hours a week at the barn! My mom would drop me off after school and come back around eight or nine in the evening almost daily. I rode multiple horses but also spent a lot of that time watching lessons, cleaning stalls (to earn lessons), grooming, tacking horses, and eventually assisting in teaching others and helping with training rides. I learned that all horses are different and how to adjust my riding to accommodate them. I learned the importance of grooming, bathing, massaging, using liniment, etc. is. Not just for the horse’s health but also for bonding. The horse and rider partnership is truly amazing.

I believe this also helped me grow as a person. I learned hard work and dedication at a young age.

Jumping riding lessons in Central Iowa Jen Allen Training
Lacey competing in 3'6 Hunters, around age 12.


What do you remember being great and/or challenging about riding lessons and showing?


Riding jumper classes was always a favorite but learning courses for shows was challenging. I think this was partly due to my anxiety. Over time I learned how to zone out prior to my course. I would try to release all thoughts except what I needed to focus on in the ring. This became a meditation itself and was very helpful.


What are some things that you miss the most about those days?


I miss showing and lessons. I truly appreciated the one on one time and spending time working on flat work and equitation and learning new techniques.


Tell me about a few moments you’re really proud of.


One of my proud moments was learning the automatic release. I always wanted to jump bigger and better and jumping over 3’9 was really thrilling.

Jumping riding lessons central iowa horse riding Jen Allen Training
Lacey jumping my horse, Annie, in 2018.

You’ve still been riding off and on. How do you think those riding lessons and experiences from years ago still benefit you?


I have continued to ride throughout the years, and I will always remember heels down, eyes up, closed hands, and look at your jump or look where you are going. Some of the first things I learned are some of the most important.

Kids riding lessons central des moines Iowa jen allen horse training
Lacey, left. A good group of students celebrating some wins after a show.

What advice would you give to beginner riders or young riders about horses and horsemanship?


The most important things to remember (that you will use every time you are at the barn} is grooming is important, flat work is important, no stirrups and bareback work is important. Listen to your horse. Sometimes you may need to change plans and train on something you weren’t expecting. It’s okay to fail sometimes, and reward you and yourself every ride for any accomplishment. End on a good note always. Your horse is your partner.


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Thinking of taking riding lessons, learning to jump, or becoming a working student? Please check out more information on the main part of the website! http://jenallentraining.com.

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