United States Eventing Association

Below is the winning essay of the 2015 Worth the Trust Young Adult Amateur scholarship. Congratulations to Nita Sanfilippo, and best of luck in the future!

Since the beginning of my riding career, I have always been inexplicably driven to learn. This drive to continue to improve has never faded, and I love all of it. The blood, sweat, and tears, the smiles and elation that come with successes big and small, the failures that become valuable learning experiences, and the bonds formed with the most special people and creatures I will ever know. For me it started ten years ago, just before I turned 13, with a summer job at a farm that taught children to ride. I did not grow up a horse obsessed child, so it was a surprise to my horse-less family when this summer job developed into something much, much more.

As long as I have known horses, I have known the work involved to care for and keep them. I took any opportunity to ride, and was more than willing to work to be able to have these opportunities. My horse habit has always been self-funded this way, and I would never trade the journey I’ve had as it has given me strong character and appreciation for everything I have been able to accomplish. I discovered eventing when I was sixteen, but I did not have the resources to afford sanctioned Horse Trials, nor did I have a horse of my own to take past a novice mini trial. It only took going to the Kentucky Rolex once to be completely swept off my feet! I dreamt of competing at the Kentucky Horse Park and riding at the upper levels, and so three years ago I transferred to the University of Kentucky to continue working towards a bachelor’s degree in the horse capital of the world.

I didn’t know anyone when I arrived in Lexington, but it did not take long to make new friends. I found myself looking for opportunities to ride, but what I really had been yearning for all along was a horse to call my own. I did not take the idea of horse ownership lightly, but after years of saving and possessing a strong work ethic, I knew I could make it happen. Here Bully (JC name Alarmabull) enters my story, a 15.3 Off-the-Track Thoroughbred that had been living in a field for a couple of years. He was in need of some love, and I had plenty of that to give. I was finally the proud owner of my first horse!

Together, we have gone from our first sanctioned Beginner Novice to the Preliminary level. Milestone after milestone, everything Bully and I have accomplished together have exceeded all expectations. I never could have anticipated that we would be where we are now, and I certainly don’t want to stop! I want to take advantage of this time in my life; while I live on my own and have been providing for myself for several years, I understand that I will never have fewer responsibilities than I do now. I have a fantastically talented horse that loves his job and who could easily continue to progress up the levels. To pay my bills, I have a great job at an equine hospital in Lexington, which has taught me a great deal about our equine partners. It has also provided me a piece of mind that I will always be able to properly care for my horse, which is my most important job. While competing as actively as I would like to is a stretch for my budget, I have learned that if you believe in what you are doing and are willing to work hard, and do it with a smile, you can make anything happen!

For 2016, I have my eyes and heart set on The Virginia Horse Trials CCI1* in the spring and the Hagyard Midsouth CCI1* in the fall. The Worth The Trust Scholarship would be instrumental in preparing us to reach these goals and continue towards new opportunities! While at home, the funds would help me to regularly work with Sarah Kleintop (ICP 2), whose instruction and guidance made our move up to Prelim a huge success! While Sarah winters in Florida, I cannot think of a better way to kick start our season than a clinic or camp with an Eventing Idol like Denny Emerson, Lucinda Green, or Jimmy Wofford—an opportunity which I would be able to afford with the Worth The Trust Scholarship! I have a large list of top-level eventers that travel to Lexington to give clinics, any of whom I would be so honored to learn from. With the help of the scholarship, I could afford to participate in some of these fantastic learning experiences that I would otherwise be unable to attend. Ultimately, I aspire to continue up the levels with Bully as long as he is up for it, learning together as we go. I work very hard to be able to have the opportunities that I do, and the value of the education provided by the Worth the Trust Scholarship would be immeasurable for me. I will always be in pursuit of knowledge and experience to become a better horseman and rider because it is what I love to do. I would be beyond thrilled to share my learning opportunities provided for by the Worth The Trust Scholarship with all fellow eventing enthusiasts!

About Worth the Trust

Approaching its 16th year, the Worth the Trust Scholarship continues to provide financial assistance for young adult amateurs and adult amateurs for the purpose of persuing continued education in Eventing. This scholarship is provided by Joan Iverson Goswell in honor of her horse, Worth the Trust, a 15.3 Thoroughbred gelding (Wind and Wuthering x Stop Over Station), who competed successfully for many years with Karen O'Connor.