Using Partnerships to Overcome Obstacles - Arianna Wessel
Arianna Wessel is a sophomore at Pinewood School, Los Altos, CA
How did you get involved in horseback riding and what do you love the most about the sport?
I got involved with riding because of my love for animals and my family's history with horses. I love horses, I find that they are intelligent, interesting, and thoughtful animals that need to be respected more. As for my family, my dad’s side of the family is very involved with horses. Going back several generations, my dad’s side has been riding horses. I feel more connected with my family when I ride, and enjoy talking with my grandmother and great-grandmother about riding.
What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced along your athletic journey, and how did you manage to overcome them?
Some of the obstacles that I have had to overcome with riding has been not being rich enough. Riding is not a cheap sport, with the costs of keeping the animal alive. The riding world is based on how expensive and pretty your horse is. Unfortunately, the prettier your horse, the better you place, regardless of how good of a rider you are. If you look at some of the top-placing men and women in the industry, you can see that their horses cost more than a house most of the time. Another obstacle that I have faced is my weight. Judges have marked me down, told me that I was too fat by trainers, and all around told me that I was too big for the sport. I managed to overcome these obstacles by seeing the woman that won the Maclay finals. She was my build and with a cheaper horse than her competitors. She won because she was an amazing rider. I strive to be her when I am older.
What inspires you to play sports at a higher level, and what do you most proud of yourself for getting to this level?
Something that inspires me to keep on going is my friends and family. Through all of the ups and downs of my riding career, my friends and family have always been there for me. I look up to my friends and strive to be just like them. My family always encourages me to be the best person that I can be and always try my best. I am most proud of the fact that I keep on trying, despite not having the fanciest horse and the tiniest body.
How has your athletic journey helped shape who you are today? How will it impact your future?
My equestrian history has helped me to be a caring, competent person who has something to work on constantly. I plan to use riding to get into college and help me with my future. I think that riding horses will allow me to gain a deeper understanding of animals that I can use in the future for my career. Riding horses has also helped me gain a sense of compassion for things around me that allows me to see things in others' shoes.
What advice do you want to give to other Asian student-athletes who want to play equestrian or other sports in general?
A word of advice that I can give is never to stop trying. The world around does not come easy, but as Augusta Iwasaki showed in the Maclay finals this year if you put in the hard work, the results will show. You don’t need to be the richest, skinniest, prettiest person to win. You have to be the most dedicated.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your athletic journey?
Through all of the hardships of riding, I wouldn’t trade my connection with my horses and the riding world for a million dollars. The people that have got me to where I am today are all amazing people that keep me inspired to this day.
