Cool Connection

Making History

The name Carry on Connections has a special history many people are not aware of. In July 2014, a horse by the name of Cool Connection “Noodle” found his way into my life. It began when I flew down to Virginia a couple days before a family vacation with my trainer Marcia Kulak, to try out a professional’s old mount. I knew the second I sat on this horse he was something special.

Not Your Typical Horse

Our first ride, and many more after that, were not the prettiest, but nonetheless, I felt something in this horse I could not let go of. He would consistently break down sweating at competitions, overwhelmed with anxiety. He would stop eating and stand at the back of his stall throughout the day and did not welcome people poking their heads in.

I was worried he would never be a quiet, loving horse, like everyone else had. Other riders my age were riding their horses bareback, galloping through the fields and putting goofy hats on their horses.

An Unspoken Language

This lifestyle was not possible with Noodle. The slightest touch from your leg, or fast movement would send him running off. The anxiety Noodle carried broke my heart and I wanted to understand this beautiful and powerful creature.

As time went on, our bond started to spark and began to catch flame after long days of working together. The little improvements Noodle made, such as standing quietly, lowering his head, and letting me touch his ears, may seem insignificant, but these little moments of trust set the foundation for an unbreakable bond.

I realized he would never be the “bomb-proof” horse many people had as a child, and I also realized I would not have wanted it any other way. Our competition career peaked in our second and third year together, and plummeted soon after due to a torn suspensory ligament.

After thousands of dollars and heart ache, I realized his welfare was worth more to me than a championship title. I chose to bring him to college with me and rehabbed him from there.

As I look back, I can not count the late nights sitting by his stall, as he munched on his hay and would occasionally come over to nudge my cheek. In these little moments, so much was shared but not a word was spoken.

Cool Connection has taught me how much I do not know about life. He has taught me just the beginning of sacrifice and responsibility. Through this personalized public relations business, Carry on Connections, we are carrying on the connection Noodle and I had.