Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.
Ever fantasized about dropping everything to focus on your riding? Area V eventer and Tales from a Bad Eventer blogger Laura Szeremi’s dream was to go be a working student for a big-name rider –– just one (OK, more than one) problem: her job, her husband, her farm, her can’t-even-keep-count-of-how-many herd of horses… and, well, Laura is a bit older than your typical starry-eyed working student candidate.
In light of all that “baggage,” what she chose to do next — load up the trailer and move from Texas to Florida to be a working student for Jon Holling — makes her the hero of every adult-amateur event rider’s wildest dream. This is her story.
The Fork in the Road
I was having breakfast with a long time friend. He’s not a horse person but he’s always fascinated with my latest adventures. I was whining a little bit about how work was keeping me from doing pretty much everything — except working.
I wasn’t getting in ANY riding. I’m not sure I even remember what color my horses are. Bad Eventer…
Editor’s note: Contrary to what “Bad Eventer” would have you believe, she is in fact a lovely rider. Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.
…was becoming Overworked Non-Eventer.
“I play a doctor on TV, too.” Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.
My friend asked me, “If you could do anything you wanted, what would you do?”
I paused for a second and said, “I’d take a working student position with someone like William Fox Pitt!”
He stared at me for a few seconds and said, “Wow, that is definitely not what I thought you were going to say.”
I still don’t know what he thought I was going to say, but that conversation has echoed in my mind ever since. I really thought I had missed that kind of opportunity.
I’m too old.
I have too much stuff.
I’ve chosen my “path” and it definitely doesn’t have that kind of branch in it.
Without warning, a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to get out of my rut. My chosen path abruptly ended, and while the shock has not quite worn off, I soon realized that the sky was the limit.
I can do anything I want.
Sometimes you just have to go for it. Bad Eventer is headed off to be Bad WorkingStudent.
Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.
The Reactions
You may have heard: Bad Eventer is running away from home to become Bad WorkingStudent.
The reactions to this announcement have been… interesting. So I’ve decided to share of few of them. Here are my top five.
#5. Bad Eventer: “I’m going to Florida to be a working student.”
Friend A: ” You can’t do that.”
Bad Eventer: “Why not?”
Friend A: “You can’t just sell everything and move!”
Bad Eventer: “Sure I can.”
I think people limit themselves based on all the “stuff” they think they’re supposed to have.
Yeah, OK, I have a lot of stuff. Tarps, hula hoops…
Yeah, I have a lot of stuff. Tarps, hula hoops…
My new motto, “If it won’t fit in the horse trailer, I don’t need it.”
#4. Bad Eventer: “I’m going to Florida to be a working student. Are you still there? Hello? Hello?… Hello???”
Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi,
#3: The Bad Eventer’s Parents: “I had really thought by this age you would have outgrown this HORSE thing.”
“Bad Eventer as a teenager! Don’t ask about the jodhpurs.” Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.
#2. Bad Eventer: “I’m going to Florida to be a working student.”
Laura and her husband. Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.
The Bad-Event-Husband: ” Honey, remember a trakehner is JUST a log!”
Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.
#1. Bad Eventer: “I’m going to Florida to be a working student.”
Friend B: “Huh?? You don’t know how to ride yet?”
Photo courtesy of Laura Szeremi.
Stay tuned as we continue sharing Laura’s “Diary of the Oldest Working Student in History” adventures (and misadventures) throughout the week. Thank you so much for sharing, Laura, and for reminding us to Go Eventing, no matter what the odds.
