An Open Thank You Letter to My Trainer

Young rider Dominique Gonzalez has had an amazing year in the irons, and like many of her peers who have put in years of hard work and sacrificed “normal adolescence” to have incredible young rider careers, Dominique also recognizes that none of it would be possible without the passion, discipline, and full-time support of a great teacher.   


Photo courtesy of Dominique Gonzalez

First of all, thank you for being you!

Thank you, for all the confidence you instilled in me from the start.

Thank you, for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

Photo courtesy of Dominique Gonzalez

Thank you, for seeing the future that will come for me when I was stuck in the present.

Thank you, for finding me the horses I’ve fallen in love with.

Thank you, for the lessons that test me further as a rider.

Photo courtesy of Dominique Gonzalez

Thank you, for the push to keep going when all I wanted was to give up.

Thank you, for the extra whoops and cheers after I finish the rounds where everything just falls into place.

Thank you, for supporting the dreams I want to achieve.

Thank you, for being my number one cheer leader.

Photo courtesy of Dominique Gonzalez

Thank you, for allowing me to grow further every day.

Thank you, for being stern when I needed to get out of a rut.

Thank you, for understanding that I’m trying my best every day.

Thank you, for teaching me everything I know today.

Photo courtesy of Dominique Gonzalez