When Passion Meets Real Life: Adult Amateurs in Action 

By GabriellA Ringer

We all hear about and are inspired by stories of professional equestrians — the people whose lives revolve entirely around the sport of eventing. Their days are spent at the barn, traveling to shows, and riding dozens of horses, often with teams of support behind them. But for many riders in Area VI, the path to the start box looks very different.

Adult amateurs make up the heart and soul of our community. They ride not because it’s their job, but because it’s their passion — something they make time for in the margins of already full lives. Between careers, families, and daily responsibilities, these riders manage their schedules with precision, squeezing in training rides and show prep wherever they can. It’s not always glamorous, and it’s rarely easy, but their dedication is every bit as impressive.

Take Northern California-based rider Christine Ritthaler as an example. Christine is not only a dedicated eventer but also a new mother, a wife, a dog mom, and an Associate Fellow in Electro-Optical Engineering at a major aerospace company. Her life is a masterclass in balance and intention.

“I start very early in the day and I finish very late in the evening,” she shares. “I’m up by 6:00am so I can have the dogs walked and get home before the nanny comes at 7:00am. I then work a nine-hour shift… Once [my son] Evan’s started his bedtime routine is when I go out to the barn and ride both my horses.” While that kind of schedule might sound exhausting to some, it’s the norm for many adult amateurs who find solace in the barn after a long day. For Christine, those late-night rides aren’t a chore — they’re her personal recharge.

When it comes to showing, things get even more complicated. “Logistically, it’s definitely a challenge,” she admits. “I have to plan in advance, get permission from work… sometimes I bring my work computer with me and disappear after my ride to put in a couple hours.” And when it comes to horse show prep? “I show up with dirty tack and a dirty horse and figure it out when I get there,” she laughs, “because there’s just not really another time slot to do it in.”

Despite the hurdles, her motivation never wavers. “At the end of the day, it’s what I love to do,” she says. “It’s energizing to me. I feel really strongly that it’s important to me for self-care to be able to continue to ride and compete.”

Christine’s story is just one of many in Area VI. Adult amateur eventers across the region are proof that with passion, perseverance, and a lot of creative planning, it’s possible to live a full life and still chase your dreams in the saddle. Every adult amateur out there — whether juggling toddlers, team meetings, or timecards — is doing this because it’s what they love to do. In the world of eventing, the adult amateur is not just participating — they’re thriving. And, they’re showing us all what it means to ride for the love of the sport.