Where Will My Dream Of Working With Horses Send Me?

Hello Friends,

It has been a bit since I did a blog, SORRY!!! My first blog "Leap of Faith" shared a lot about my back story as a child - my background, a bit about where I began the love of horses.

Did you know at the age of 16-17 where your life may lead you? As a parent I fear that my kids do not make hast decisions rather they study, research, and examine future opportunities. People say "were you born in a barn?" I can definitely say no I was not but my life decisions were definitely, thoroughly, contemplated in a barn. See, I grew up in the city and had very little agricultural experiences. Only when we visited our horses on the weekends. All day Saturday and all-day Sunday. I knew that was not what I wanted. I was not tied to the city life and I just did not envision raising a family there when the time might come.

When deciding on a career path I was absolutely amazed that animal husbandry was an option, specifically Equine Business Management. My college experience led me to a few colleges that offer equine science. I applied to Centenary, Johnson and Wales, Delaware Valley College (now Delaware Valley University), Rutgers Cook College, Harcum College, Wilson College. I applied to all of these, and I received acceptance letters to all. It did not hurt that I attended a really good college preparatory school - Abington Friends. I was a good student, and I was actively involved in community service opportunities such as the Philadelphia Special Olympics.

I only visited two colleges. My dad took me to Johnson and Wales in Rhode Island for a weekend college tour. It was such a long drive. Johnsons and Wales is known for their culinary college and their riding stable was off campus. The college is located in the heart of a Providence Rhode Island. I remember me saying that the city life just was not for me. Well, the first college tour dropped me right in the middle of a big city. And. I would have to drive a car to get to the barn. And in 1995, I was not up for those options.

After the weekend trip to Johnson & Wales we visited Delaware Valley College. It was about 40 minutes from my mom's house and 20 minutes from my dad's. I knew then that I was not interested in living far from home. Even though I fought so hard to get as far away from home as possible. But when you put your feet to the ground and physically see a school, your ideas completely change, and it is not what you thought it would be.

So, on a cool cloudy day in the fall of 1995 my parents and I drove to DVC and the minute I put my feet on the ground I knew this was home for the next four years.

Thank you,

Taryn Fogg, Calumet Run Farm LLC