The 23-year-old, Olivia Irving, was introduced to horses before she could walk, as her mother, Jill, grew up at the barn, herself an accomplished rider and competitor.

Despite many successes in the pony and junior hunter rings, Olivia chose not to undertake a career with horses, opting instead to focus on school and a life outside of the ring. “Once I was in high school I knew I was not going to pursue horses professionally,” she explains. “I had a desire to experience university and develop a career in a way that I knew I would not be able to do if I became a professional. I love my horses and I love riding, but I am a self-proclaimed ‘nerd’ and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the business world.”

Olivia credits the support of her trainer, Wayne McLellan, and the staff at the stables with helping her juggle barn and office time. “They take great care of the horses when I am unable to be at the barn, and they are all supportive of what I have worked towards outside the ring,” explains Olivia, “but even with an accommodating coach and amazing barn staff, there is a bit of personal guilt that I am not always with my horses.”

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