LUBBOCK, Texas — An unlikely mix of a Netflix show, a move to the country and a retired racehorse sparked the riding journey of Frenship High School junior Jocelyn Payne.
What began as casual family viewing of the show Heartland quickly turned into a lifelong passion when Payne decided to take her first riding lesson and never looked back.
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Payne is a student at Key Equestrian in Lubbock, Texas. For the past seven years, Payne has competed in hunter jumper and jumper divisions alongside her horse, Boss. While she enjoys the competition, Payne says the most meaningful part of riding isn’t the ribbons, but the bond she’s built with her horse. That connection, she said, is what keeps her motivated both in and out of the arena.
Looking ahead, Payne plans to continue riding through college and hopes to remain involved in the sport for years to come. Her advice to others starting out is simple: trust your trainer, trust your horse and trust the process. Lessons learned through experience and a story even Netflix couldn’t have written better…