After getting home from school, professional horseback rider and junior Natalie Cochran grabs her boots and changes into her jeans, preparing to start her daily eight-to-nine-hour shift at the horse stables. While many students use this time for homework, sports practice or a break, Cochran’s routine consists of feeding and grooming horses in preparation for training and riding. The work is long and often exhausting, but for Cochran, it’s more than a responsibility — it’s the part of her day she looks forward to the most.

Since the age of 10, Cochran has been riding at Kraus Farm, located in Valley Park, Mo. When Cochran began riding horses, she never imagined she would have this much love and passion for it. 

“I’ve been riding horses for [about] nine years now. I always [liked horses] as a kid,” Cochran said. “Riding makes me feel super calm, and I will get on my horse and immediately feel peace, like the world [goes] quiet.” 

Although her passion for horseback riding is strong, the cost of equipment and the hobby is a challenge. Cochran has spent more than $75,000 over the past five years of her riding career. Whether it’s buying her horse equipment, gear, or riding outfits, it all adds up. 

Riding also requires a significant time commitment. Cochran works from 3 to 11 p.m., five days a week. On the weekends, she works from 6 a.m. until around 10 p.m. 

During that time, Cochran rides horses and helps train them. She also learns new techniques, such as correct posture, jumping, and controlling her horse. In her downtime at the stables, she works on her schoolwork so she doesn’t fall behind. 

“I spend a lot of time at the barn. I am mostly there every day for half or the whole day. I ride, do some homework, clean the barn stalls [and] train horses. I’ve created myself a schedule so I stay organized and don’t fall behind, which sometimes gets hard,” Cochran said.

Riding horses is her favorite activity, but it can come with safety concerns and harm. During her time working in the stable, she was in an accident that caused her to break her tailbone. 

“It was cold and windy, and I was riding one of the stable’s barn horses. I didn’t expect [it] to happen, but something frightened him, and he lost control. I got flown back and hit my tailbone pretty hard,” Cochran said. 

The accident forced Cochran to take time off from riding and her usual work at the stables, something she admits was frustrating but necessary. 

“I felt pretty discouraged after the [incident] because I knew I wouldn’t be able to start riding again for a while. It was best to take the time off, though, in case [I’d get] hurt worse,” Cochran said.

Cochran’s passion for riding has always been long-lived, and she continues to work toward her goals for the future.

“I’d [love] to be an equine vet tech in the future and own a few horses with a barn. It has always been my dream, and I am working really hard to reach that goal,” Cochran said.

Through dedication and hard work, she has been able to win multiple awards for her skills. She has won many contests at the age of 17. She typically wins most of her contests, which also helps her stay motivated to keep going and hustle. 

“The place I normally get [is] first, third, or fourth place. It makes me stay motivated that my hard work has paid off,” Cochran said.

But beyond her accomplishments, Cochran shares a special bond with Oliver, her horse. While before she had bought him, he was rowdy, disobedient and lacked training, Cochran took him under her wing and taught him how to act and ride, building a strong connection. 

Not only is her horse her best friend, but Cochran has also grown close with the people she works with at the barn. She is there almost every day, all day, allowing her to stay close to her horse and her friends. 

“They make me happy, and if I am having a bad day [Oliver] helps distract me from my problems,” Cochran said. “Riding has always been important to me since I tried it as a little kid, and I just fell in love with it.”

Even after long days, injuries and balancing school with work, Cochran continues to return to the stables. It is where she feels calm, focused and most herself. With the support of her friends and her dedication to her goals, Cochran’s passion and hard work push her to keep going, even when the days are exhausting. As the school day ends, her heart feels anxious to reach for the future she is determined to have.