Following My Dream by Shelby

Following My Dream by Shelby - March 2014 Scholarship Essay

My greatest academic achievement to date has been earning my Bachelor’s in Equine Business Management from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. I have always done well academically, but the transition to college was quite challenging at first; especially paired with missing many classes for surgeries due to cross country injuries.

After struggling through the first couple of years, I finally got my life back on track and pulled my GPA back up to where it should have been, the 3.6 range. Although I had a love and passion for horses growing up, I had a lot to learn. I worked very hard and really excelled in my core equine classes. Earning my degree and ending with academic honors my last semester and a 3.6 cumulative GPA is something I am incredibly proud of. I did so while being on the cross country team, the Hunt Seat equestrian team, and the Western equestrian team, while also working.

It has impacted my life in both good and bad ways. I currently have over $80,000 in student loans that I am paying on my own. However, earning a Bachelor’s in Equine Business Management has given me the tools to start and run my own equine boarding and riding facility; my dream job. Others in my class dream of being trainers or lesson instructors, while I would rather just care for the horses; it is very much what I love. Though we spent many classroom hours learning about equine vet care, we only got to practice if our assigned horse was hurt, which mine never was in my four years there. So I have decided to attend International Business College in Fort Wayne for their 18 month Veterinary Technician program. This will give me the hands on experience I desire and give me greater confidence in caring for other people’s horses. Upon graduation with my second degree, I plan to work at a local vet clinic during the startup of my barn until Florek Farms can be my main focus.