A Mother’s Day Tribute to Amazing Equestrian Moms Who Celebrate Life with their Kids and Horses
This is For the Moms Who Sacrifice and Give Their All to their Horse-Crazy Kids
Mother’s Day is around the corner. And Fast Horse Photography would like to recognize all the moms out there who make a horse life possible for their children.
This is for the moms who:
Drive an hour each way to and from the barn for riding lessons —every day of the week.
Encourage their kids to chase their dreams.
Know how to perfectly braid a mane and tail in the dark with a flashlight.
Get up at O-Dark-Thirty to head out to another show.
Can back up a 6 horse trailer with ease.
Have the best advice to pick their kids up after making the same mistakes.
Learned how to ride because horses were their kid’s passion.
Taught their kids to ride because it was their life’s dream to share their obsession.
Sacrificed financially so their child could have the lessons and training they needed to progress.
Bought the first horse… and then the step up horse.
Watched every horse movie ever made — over and over again.
Stopped riding so their children could start.
Mucked stalls with their baby in the barn aisle fast asleep.
Trained their horse with a baby monitor on the fence post during nap time.
Gave up your favorite horse for your child to train on.
You are seen. You are loved. You are cherished for all you do.
Take a peek at this video #ShowMomLove – A Tribute to Women Who Have Supported Equestrians
We asked some questions of dedicated horse moms and thankful recipients of the best horse moms, and here’s what they had to say.
I’ll go first!
Thank You for Giving Me the Horse Bug, Mom
I am the oldest of five children, born on Mother's Day. My mom says that I was riding before I was even born as she rode horses with me when she was pregnant.
My family!
Of all five of my siblings, I'm the only one that still rides and owns horses. Horses are how my mother and I most enjoyed our time together. It’s also how we found common ground when sometimes that was hard to find as I think can be typical between opinionated mothers and stubborn daughters... (I mean she raised me to be this way LOL... stubborn, strong, resourceful, and to love horses and horse people).
We share a love of our horses, care for them together, and have our best conversations in the presence of horses.
My son, me and my mother
The most vivid memories of my childhood are times when I was out riding with my mom, caring for horses with my mom, or just trying to stay awake in the cab of our old pickup truck when she was driving us home from a horse show.
My mother wasn't born with horses. She wanted them her entire childhood and finally was able to get a horse when she was a young adult. I love seeing old pictures of her riding her first horse! I think it means more to her than most people because it didn't come easy for her.
World Champion Show Jumper Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum
Meredith and daughter, Brianne.
What a privilege to chat with Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and her daughter Brianne Beerbaum. Meredith is an American-born German Equestrian and the first and ONLY woman to top the FEI World Rankings in show jumping. As well as being part of a select few who won the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals THREE times running.
Meredith, her husband, and her daughter reside in Thedinghausen in Northern Germany most of the year and Wellington, Florida January - April during the Show Jumping Circuit in the US.
Watch as Meredith shares a bit of her equestrian journey Rolex presents: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum
Meredith and her 11-year-old daughter Brianne shared with Fast Horse Photography how riding and training horses together has created a tight mother-daughter bond. A relationship treasured by both.
Meredith and daughter, Brianne.
Image: https://www.bnessphoto.com/
Meredith grew up in California and started riding at the age of seven at Foxfield Riding School. Horses and riding were her passion. Her mom had no previous horse experience before Meredith picked up the sport but was extremely supportive of her new endeavor, nonetheless.
“When I started riding, my mom drove me an hour each way to Foxfield. It was an effort to make my riding happen.”
As the years went by and Meredith’s riding talents progressed, she traveled and competed in shows every weekend.
“My parents fully supported me. They gave up time and money to support my riding. I recognized that their social lives came to a halt as I got older because we were at shows every weekend. But they made the best of it. They met horse show families and did activities with them. They changed their lives and adopted a new way of life in the horse show community. They were very giving. I appreciated everything they did for me.”
“My mom even learned how to ride. She did a little jumping too. She gave everything to help me become successful.”
Today, Meredith has the honor and privilege of doing the same for her daughter.
Brianne Beerbaum is in 5th grade and excels in school. Her favorite subject is math. She has a humble confidence and a fierce love for her mama.
Meredith says “Brianne is an amazing student. She does very well in school. Brianne realizes doing well in school is especially important to me. She gives back to me by striving to do her best.”
“She puts the same effort into her horse riding. She knows the sport so well and has a lot of knowledge about horses in general. The breeding, sires, and offsprings. She reads articles and watches videos to learn as much as she can because breeding is very important here in Germany.”
“My husband Markus and I really thought she wouldn’t ride. Seeing the intensity of the sport, the dangers of riding, and watching the recovery from injury, we thought she wouldn’t want to. We didn’t push her or put pressure on her. We are absolutely thrilled she chose to do so.”
“I don’t feel like I am sacrificing at all to give her a life with horses. This is my life. So really, it’s a win-win. She loves the sport as much as I do. I am overjoyed to be able to help her and train her. I am delighted to give her everything she needs to succeed. I slowed down my jumping career, but the change of focus and timing was perfect. I am happy to stay at home and invest in my daughter’s talents. We are a great team.”
Brianne Image: https://www.bnessphoto.com/
Brianne started showing at age seven. She is eager and driven and adores her magnificent ponies. And, just like her mom, has a connection and deep appreciation for each horse she rides. Brianne and her pony Rashinga exhibit tremendous versatility riding pony hunters in the US and Jumpers in Germany. No small feat.
When asked about the best advice she received Brianne shared, “The best technique my mom taught me is to keep a good pace [when jumping] to make it easier for the horses.”
When getting ready for a horse show, Brianne is so thankful when her “Mom shares her own experiences from when she was a young rider. She tells me how it felt for her, and what it was like. She tells me stories about what worked and didn’t work. Her advice, stories, and training really help me.”
Brianne said if she had a whole day free with her mom to do whatever she wanted they would “Go to a horse show and watch all the riders. My mom would point out things she saw the riders doing. Things they could do better. I would ride too, and she would train me and give me pointers. We would spend the whole day there.”
Grandmother, mother, granddaughter… Generational giving. Sacrifice. Dedication. That’s what moms do. Meredith’s mom wasn’t thinking of the future generation. She was just loving her daughter as best as she could. Little did she know… her support and encouragement would pass on to another generation...to last the test of time. What a blessing. Thank you, Meredith and Brianne, for sharing your stories and helping us celebrate equestrian moms. We salute you Meredith and your mom too.
The Fast Horse Herd Share their Stories
Marianneckendorffoster shared When my daughter was born I didn’t ride as much (hardly at all) because I didn’t want to get hurt and not be able to take care of my daughter. But I involved her in the twice-daily feedings and water of the horses. And we visited them a lot and would just sit with them as they’d graze in the fields. My daughter came with me for chore time from a just-born infant. I’d “wear” her in a sling. Being with the horses was a special time for us. Fast forward 15 years and we just adopted an untouched mustang together to add to our family. And I got to ride the new mustang the first month. I didn’t miss the break from riding while my daughter was little because I was still with the horses every day.
Cpthdugas shared I got my kids up on horses early. 18 months old. I would lead the horse as they strutted their stuff on the horse’s back. It took me about 5 years to get all four kids solid enough to ride by themselves. So, during that time... I only lead them. No riding for me. Miles and miles of walking. I was sure thankful for the day I could finally join them by riding together. ❤️🐴
Labyrinthequine shared With both of my children I rode for as long as I could while pregnant. I only stopped when I’d have to pee within 5 minutes of mounting. 😂 too much info, I’m sure. Both kids were riding before they could walk. My oldest liked it but was just as happy staying home to read a book than go to the barn. My youngest, well, we spent hours together. Riding double on my steady-eddie, logging miles on the trails. Years of that and sharing time in the barn, riding on trails and in arenas, at shows, watching as they found and loved horses for themselves. Now? I manage a farm, training horses, starting youngsters, and helping mature horses and humans navigate their relationships. And my kids? The older loves horses but sees them as a muse for art. The younger is following their dreams and working, training, and learning from an Olympic rider, it’s awe-inspiring.
Jessica.lian.photography shared ...becoming a mom changed [my riding] a ton. I’m a little more cautious. I took a 3yr break and only now that he’s ok to be babysat do I ride :/ the only time I’ve been happy I’m a lesson/lease rider. I am looking forward to him being older and easier to ride with.
Hailey3479h shared It changed a lot for me. I was able to continue riding up until about 8 months pregnant and then it took me a good month and a half to recover enough to ride again after my son was born. I wasn’t too surprised about the complication of trying to ride during nap time or saddling horses with a newborn strapped to my chest. I was really surprised how my riding changed because my mind was so often on my baby and I couldn’t focus like before and just ride.
Kimberlybutts_p3 shared My mom was the best horse mom EVER. She would give my first horse Doll her shots when I was not able to, even though she was a bit scared of horses. She watched all of my riding lessons until I started driving myself to the barn. My mom and dad went to every horse show no matter if it meant leaving the house at 4 am (which she was not a morning person), sitting in the hot California sun, or at the Santa Barbara National show in the rain. Mom would have a thermos of hot chocolate for me and coffee for her. My mom would pack a picnic that could feed 20 people so there was always extra food so no one went hungry or thirsty. When we went to shows, my mom ALWAYS knew what to bring like a needle and thread in case a button came loose... My mom became the “go-to horse show mom” for all the girls whose parents could not attend the shows. My favorite memory was when my mom let my best friend from the barn come and live with us one summer. So we were able to have one more summer of riding together before she moved away.
A big thank you to everyone for sharing about your amazing mamas and the ways you make sacrifices for your kids and to get your riding in.
May you know how much you are loved and valued. You are creating memories and a bond with your children they will never forget.
We honor you and celebrate the big and little things you do each and every day for your families.
Contact Fast Horse Photography today to celebrate life with horses along with your mother, grandmother, and family. Capture the memories.