Personal Statement From Ella
I had the opportunity to own Zach in late fall of 2020. I was 14 and had never stepped foot in the big equitation, and Zach had spent his first year in the US showing successfully but sporadically. From the beginning, many people felt that it was inevitable that Zach would become fantastic and decorated, but whether he would with me wasn’t always so sure. Over the first year and a half, I heard from many people that Zach was simply too big for me, and I wasn’t going to be strong enough to ride him effectively in time to reach my junior goals. Despite any concerns, my trainers and I were persistent and worked to develop Zach and me into a partnership that could win medals and compete at finals. Zach’s exceptionalness was never lost on me. Throughout the process, I felt a distinct sense of pride to work our way up the ribbons, strengthen my position to stay with his incredible jump, and to sit up taller and not let him “bolt” in slow motion across the ring with me just because he put his head down. Zach was my partner in and out of the ring, and he made me want to be a better rider and person for him.
Although I believe it to be the less important aspect of his life, I’d be remiss to talk about Zach’s life without mentioning his competition record. Zach was successful and made me a very successful junior rider. Zach was a brilliant competitor, and he made anyone riding him want to match his command and confidence in the ring. Zach took me to almost every West Coast equitation final, including a very slow trip around the USHJA 3’3 Jump Seat finals. During our time together, Zach and I took on the Maclay Regionals twice, winning it the second time and punching our ticket back east both times. Showing at the finals back east was an even greater privilege because I had Zach with me. I felt like the luckiest kid in the world to have Zach with me for the finals, thanks to all the time we spent together. I do not doubt that Zach made me the rider I am today, and that his kind, honest, and forever brilliant character has had a profound impact on me.
Back to the aspect of his life I indulged in the most, Zach’s personal life was my favorite. Zach and I were often seen throughout our five years eating snow cones, going on trail rides, and grazing for as long as possible at sunset. He saved me more than just in the ring. No matter what was happening in my personal life or any unrest at home, Zach was there with the same smile and joy that made him my anchor. There was no more tolerant and lovely horse than Zach in my mind. He had such an open way of looking at me that always made me stay a little longer to be with him, and it was because of my on-the-ground partnership with him that made me give up my final junior year without a second thought. When Zach underwent colic surgery in July of 2024, I knew that my time showing in the big eq and junior hunters was over. While I had the option to take on the finals with another horse, I couldn’t bring myself to consider competing in the classes he and I had worked so hard for with anyone else. I stayed home for most of my last junior year, and it gave me the best seven months with Zach that I didn’t realize were the last.
With Zach’s sudden passing in March of this year, I was lost. I had been privileged my entire riding career for so many reasons, but I never realized that my most important privilege was to enjoy the sport with him. Zach was my partner, my champion, my big buddy, and the most fantastic opportunity of my life. I will never get more time with him, and I am so grateful for this sport and the world for all the kindness I experienced in having him. I created the Sazerac Legacy Grant in honor of Zach. I can never fully repay the opportunities and memories that I was given, but I can try my best to help another junior rider to the fall final of their choice and cheer them on while they make memories. I am proud to honor a junior rider in their achievements in and out of the saddle while also helping them to achieve their goals. I know very well now how significant these opportunities are, and I just want others to have their chance to make their own memories.