Through the College Preparatory Invitational, Horse Spot had the pleasure of meeting Talia Connelly in Wellington, FL. If not for this incredible horse community, our paths may never have crossed—and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to attend events like CPI that allow us to connect with exhibitors face-to-face.

Talia has been making waves on social media by boldly putting herself out there to catch ride up and down the East Coast. Her initiative has opened doors to ride with elite professionals, including Olympic rider Nona Garson. The dedication she brings to her riding and her horses recently earned her national recognition with an award in Lexington, Kentucky.

Talia is a force to be reckoned with, and we couldn’t be more excited to share her story. Her horsemanship and work ethic remind me of my own high school days—when I’d hop the barn fence at 7 a.m. to set a course before anyone else arrived. Talia’s passion and drive will no doubt carry her far, both in the saddle and on her future medical career path. Any collegiate equestrian team would be lucky to have her on their roster!

1. Tell us about your riding career. Where did you grow up riding and how did you get into it?

My mom took lessons when she was younger and started me out at just 7 years old in the most informal way. One of my first lessons was hopping on a friend’s horse. I then started taking regular lessons at a small nearby farm. Like most kids, I started doing leadline on an older well known pony who's taken every little girl in their first leadline class. 

I got my first pony—a broodmare named Boots—when I was 10. She had four white socks, which is how she got her name. A couple of years later, we bought her son, Worthy, and moved to Heritage Acres Stables. Since then, we’ve recognized Worthy’s potential and started looking for more outlets for him. We've also explored new disciplines like cross country where I got the chance to catch ride a horse out in the field—which is something I had never done before! 

I’m involved with a few organizations, including IEA, The United States Pony Club, and the Central Pennsylvania Junior Horse Show Association (CPJHSA).

‍

2. Where are you going to school? What are your aspirations for College?

I’m a junior at Central York High School.

Right now, I’d love to find a lease horse so I can step up into the 3’3” and qualify for riding on a team. I’ll definitely be riding in college—there’s no doubt about that. I’m hoping to start college with a major related to psychology. My goal is to become a forensic nurse or a nurse anesthetist. I’m drawn to the fast-paced work environment and can picture myself working in an emergency room.

I like the feeling of being needed at work—when people rely on you. That spark started when I began taking classes like biology and anatomy. Those were the first subjects that made me want to do schoolwork because they felt real—like something I could actually apply to a future career.

‍

3. You’ve been an advocate for Horse Spot ever seen using our platform at the College Preparatory Invitational. What did you enjoy about it?

I really liked how easy Horse Spot was to use on my phone. It didn’t glitch out during the show, even when the connection wasn’t great—and I didn’t have to click through a million tabs just to see results. It looks modern and up-to-date, which is a big deal for teenagers—seriously, it doesn’t look like it was made in the 1900s. Horse Spot’s design is really appealing, especially to younger audiences.

I love the way the ribbons look too! So many younger equestrians are obsessed with checking who’s in their class and things like that—it’s way easier to find that kind of info on Horse Spot. The platform isn’t confusing, which can’t be said for older ones. Even just registering our horses used to be such a struggle.

I’m especially excited for the Horse Spot bios to launch. I know that IHSA and NCEA teams often attend regular horse shows, and it’d be so cool to recognize girls you’ve competed against who are now riding in college. I showed at Princeton Show Jumping and there were riders from Centenary University showing. I was definitely taking notice as someone who wants to ride in College. I think for anyone who wants to be on a team, having bios in place would be an amazing way to learn more about riders and coaches. I’d definitely use a feature like that to connect more with the collegiate riding community.

‍

4. What is the best part about living and showing on the East Coast?

The East Coast is great—especially in the summer because it’s not as hot. We also have fun things to watch, like the Devon Horse Show. And of course, the Upperville Colt & Horse Show and its surrounding area is super cool.

I love having the resources to travel anywhere, like HITS Saugerties or HITS Culpeper. It’s easy to get around, but it still feels comfortable and familiar.

The community up here is pretty close-knit too. With CPJHSA, everyone kind of knows each other, and people are always helping one another out. Even if you don’t know someone personally, CPJHSA riders make the environment feel friendly and welcoming. It’s a great vibe—especially when you’re nervous before a class. There’s usually a group of riders and trainers cheering you on and patting you on the back. It’s like a clique, but in the best way—if you know what I mean.

Our show season slows down in the winter, which gives us a perfect off-season to focus on training. I love using that time to work on my riding and come back stronger for the new season. Honestly, I even enjoy being in the cold.

‍

5. As a seasoned rider, what advice would you give young riders? 

I didn’t jump into the industry and take off right away. I started with a broodmare pony who didn’t jump—it took two years just to convince her to go over crossrails.

"My best advice is to make the most of what you have."

Don’t get caught up comparing yourself to other riders or equestrians on social media. Riding at any level is an achievement. You can’t compare two horses—they each bring something different to the table.

‍

6. Who in the horse industry inspires you?

While I look up to my trainers, someone who really inspires me is Anna Ermlich. She’s an adult amateur and in medical school. She’s not just your typical equestrian—she does so much more, like braiding and working other jobs to make it all happen.

I admire her because I feel like I can relate to her path. She’s a fantastic rider, but she’s also super focused on school, working hard behind the scenes, and finding time to show in between. There’s a lot more going on with her and she manages it all so well. I really aspire to be like her.

She’s also open about her riding journey, which I think is important. You can tell she’s grateful for what she has, and that’s something I really look up to. Plus, I’ve learned a lot from her braiding videos—I even taught myself how to tail braid from watching her and helped friends at the barn when they needed a tail done for a derby.

‍

7. What moment are you most proud of in your riding career?

I’m proud of every little accomplishment, but the one that stands out most is attending the USEF Horse of the Year (HOTY) awards in Lexington, Kentucky. I got to go to the banquet and receive such a prestigious honor.

My horse, Worth the Wait T—aka “Worthy”—was named the National Reserve Champion Half-Bred Connemara by the United States Equestrian Federation.

I’d never really chased a goal that big with my own horse—the one I’ve had since he was 3. I’ve been with him from the beginning, and it’s amazing to see how far he’s come.

We didn’t even have the best season last year—I dealt with some confidence issues that even put me in the hospital. But that experience helped me see everything we had accomplished. I’ll never forget our first 3ft round at Upperville—I came out of the ring smiling so hard. It reminded me that just because the season didn’t end perfectly, that doesn’t mean the rest of it didn’t matter.

When the announcement letter from USEF arrived, I had to ask myself, “Is this real?” It felt surreal being in a room with so many professionals and industry leaders. I’d look around and think, “That’s so-and-so! Wow!” I never imagined I’d be in the same space as them.

I’m just really grateful for all of it.

‍

8. What do you do best? What are you working on?

One of the things I do best is putting myself out there and trying new things. I go out of my way to make sure I take advantage of every opportunity I can. I might sound like that crazy kid always asking around—but it pays off.

When my CPI clinic in Florida got canceled, I posted on Facebook at 7 AM asking, “Who wants to let me ride their horses?”—just to make the most of the trip. And it worked—Nona Garson needed help.

I make sure I’m involved. I’d rather be at the barn until 10 PM than relaxing at home. I try to improve something—anything—every single ride. There’s always room to grow.

Right now, I’m working on my confidence. Sometimes nerves get the best of me. It’s normal to feel that way walking into the ring with strangers watching. But I know I can trust my horse—I just need to trust myself. I remind myself: I can go in there and lay down a great trip. I do know what I’m doing.

‍

9. What have you been excited about recently?

After a little time off, I’m super excited to finally be back on my own horse!

‍

10. Lastly, tell us about your all time favorite heart horse. 

Definitely my first pony, Boots! She let the whole family ride her and was the best teacher—in the most respectful way.

One of my favorite memories is teaching her how to smile. I’d walk over to the treat box, give her the cue, and she’d flash the biggest grin. She had such a personality and loved to show it off.

We even nicknamed her “Pony Beyoncé” because she was such a diva about her looks. Anytime someone brought out a camera, her ears would shoot up and she’d turn to her “good angle” like she was striking a pose.

‍

Photography Credits:

Dapple and Bay Photography | Erin Connelly