Eighth grader Charlotte Lobon is on the horse, in competition. The feeling of the crisp cool weather travels through her vest. With a smooth graceful canter, she makes her way to the first jump. As she clears it, she finishes the rest. The feeling of a win under her belt, the determined, dedicated horseback rider completes her course in pony finals. 

“I started horseback riding in about 2019 during Covid,” Lobon said. “The thing I love most about it is probably the bonds with the horses that you have because it’s hard to have a human and horse interaction, especially with a good bond so it’s definitely special that I can enjoy that.”

She has now become a committed equestrian who has a bright future in the sport. She hopes to keep qualifying for competitions and to keep improving.

“I want to probably work on how I ride and my bond with my pony now, and I want to learn how to jump higher and go to more advanced competitions,” Lobon said.

Lobon struggles with letting go of the ones she loves most, her horses. She carries their memories with her on the circuit. 

“The most difficult part is when you have to let go of a horse that you’ve had for a long time. I had a horse for a year and another horse for a year and they both left, so it was sad to let them go and also when they die,” Lobon said.  

The horseback riding community in Miami is tight-knit. Fifth grader Ava Brown is one of Lobon’s closest younger friends from horseback riding. 

“She’s a really good horseback rider. She’s really kind, she takes care of her horses very well,” Brown said. “She’s very coachable, and she’s a really good student.”

Lobon hopes to eventually become a professional equestrian and carry out her dreams from the beginning.

“My most memorable moment with my horse would probably be just competitions,” Lobon said.“I just to get in there and do what I do best and win.”