Thoroughbred Incentive Program April Youth Ambassador
Meet Megan Farnsworth!
Photo courtesy of Megan Farnsworth
T.I.P. presents the April featured Youth Ambassador: Megan Farnsworth. Megan, 15, is from Washington. Megan has two Thoroughbreds — Rocco and Kactus – and participates in Huntseat, Dressage and Trail Riding.
Megan Farnsworth (15,WA)
Horses
- Registered Jockey Club Name: Rocco
- Show Name: You Rocco My World
- Barn Name: Rocco
- Registered Jockey Club Name: Kactus Relevation
- Show Name: Kactus
- Barn Name: Kactus
How did you start riding?
I started riding by attending a summer camp. Of course I loved it and then wanted to start riding lessons. I then attended my first 4H show and the rest is history!
What is your favorite thing about riding/or your horse?
I love the connection with my riding partner, working through a challenge and the feeling of accomplishment when we learn something new together.
What would you like to do when you are older?
I would like to work with OTTBs, rehabilitating both horses and people, by connecting them with each other. I would also like to work as a trainer.
Tell us your favorite quote and why:
“Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds,” Gordon B. Hinckley. This is my favorite quote because with horses you can’t expect them to be perfect one day with no prep leading up to it, to get the result you want you have to put in years, months, days, hours to get the result. Sometimes you still don’t get the desired outcome and you have to live with that and put in more effort than you did last time to try to get the final result to be the best.
Photo courtesy of Megan Farnsworth
What do you think the most important aspects of horsemanship are?
I think the most important aspect would be to know when you need to stop and restart either later that day or wait until the next day. You have to know how to work around problems and, especially with a green horse, to know when they can’t handle the work or when you don’t have the patience to deal with them so you call it a day so they still think work is fun. Also, even at shows, you need to be a good horseman before you can be a good showman. For horsemanship you must understand the horse and listen to what it is telling you even if it gets in the way of your plans, they always must come first in whatever you’re doing.
More Fun Facts
- How many pets do you have (and what kind)?
I have a German shepherd named Ellie and two cats named Mickey and Minnie. - What is your favorite animal (apart from a horse)?
My German Shepherd. - What is your favorite color?
Navy Blue or Maroon. - What is something unique about you?
I ride ex-race horses - What is one word that your friends would use to describe you?
Passionate and Goofy - Other Activities or hobbies:
4-H, Leadership Team
Photo courtesy of Megan Farnsworth
What is one thing you would like to tell people about Thoroughbreds or the Thoroughbred Incentive Program?
I would like to tell people how amazing Thoroughbreds are and how they make great partners and can do anything you ask if them. They have more heart than any horses I have worked with.
What are your goals for your horse in 2020?
My goals for 2020 are to continue to develop Rocco and rehabilitate Kactus. I would love to go to the T.I.P Championships this year or next year. I look forward to using my Ambassador position to educate people about OTTBs and T.I.P.
Anything else you would like to share?
The T.I.P community is amazing, and I wouldn’t be here without the adult “ambassadors” who introduced me to T.I.P and encouraged me to apply for the Young Rider and Ambassador. The people in this community have as much heart as the horses. Thank you to Anna Wetmore and Jeannette Parrett for welcoming me into this community and to the Jockey Club T.I.P. for the opportunity to represent them.
Photo courtesy of Megan Farnsworth
