Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s Wilmington Sunday Spotlight shines on the hard-working young amateur, Sydney Roby of Florence, Kentucky. When Sydney is not in the Standlee Sanctuary with her jumper mounts, she can be found on the ground lending a helping hand to her trainers and barn-mates of Punchestown Stables. Sydney is a consistent friendly face at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) and met with us to share more about her riding journey, her horses and how she balances school, a full-time job and riding!
WEC: Tell us about yourself and how you got started riding.
My mom rode when she was younger. When she had my sister, she got her into riding and then I kind of fell right into it at four years old and just never stopped. Now, I live in Florence, Kentucky, but I train out of Lexington with Sarah Meier and Alex Nelson at Punchestown Stable. I have been there for almost three years now. I can’t say enough positive words about them. I absolutely love the facility and their training is amazing. I am always trying to help them out when I can at the shows. Between setting jumps and running to the office, I am more than happy to help, I love it.
WEC: Tell us about the horses you have been showing this winter.
I actually just recently got back into showing and I just imported a six-year-old. He showed the first time in the states three weeks ago and he comes back here next week. I am super excited about him. He has such a great brain and with Sarah and Alex’s training I’m really excited to get him developed. His name is Little Surprise T&L Z, or Pepin in the barn. He has a puppy dog personality and is a super sweet guy all around.
Last year, I showed Joy Blue Bridge S. He was a super great force. We had gotten him from Aaron Vale in Florida. I did him in some high amateurs and he now is in Wisconsin doing a little 1.0m job and has a really great life there! I also showed Sarah’s horse Billionaire for about six months.
WEC: How do you balance work, school and riding?
I actually do online school right now. I am majoring in business and marketing. With the drive from my house to Lexington, and then with work, doing everything online makes it easier. I have been working and managing at Chick-Fil-A for 10 years. So, I try to make my work schedule so that I can work mostly in the mornings from around five to two and then I go ride. Then I come home and then do it all again the next day! So, it’s all about being disciplined with my time and scheduling when I need to do work and school. When I have any free time, I always put it towards the barn! I make sure my priorities are in check.
WEC: What are your future riding goals with Pepin?
I want to keep him showing as much as I can and get him developed. We will go to Kentucky this summer and I’m really excited to get him there because I love being there. And I love being here! I am super excited to come back next week with him.
WEC: How has WEC – Wilmington been beneficial for you and your horses?
I think that the show itself has so much to look at, it’s really good for the young ones. I think that even offering classes like the intermediate and novice for people like me is great. It allows the opportunity to learn and ride these young ones and build them up. I think it’s fantastic. I absolutely love it. I love the facility, I love the people.
WEC: What is your favorite thing about the sport?
For me, I’d probably say the friendships that I’ve developed and built here. Just having everyone be so encouraging and the positive words that you get from everyone. It is special to have friends that know what you’re going through with the horses to be there for you and watch you. It’s really nice to have people that just want to build you up and see you succeed.
Thank you, Sydney, for taking the time to speak with us! We wish you continued success in all of your endeavors and look forward to seeing you back in Wilmington!