Finding My Footing
Next Generation Spotlight
Piece Written by Willa Gartner
My name is Willa Gartner, and I am an upcoming junior at the University of Kentucky, dual majoring in Finance and Equine Science and Management. I am originally from Colorado, and while it was tempting to stay close to home for school, I chose Kentucky because my grammy lives here, and growing up I spent so much time visiting her and going to the Kentucky Horse Park. Those trips were where I fell in love with horses, and eventually with dressage specifically. By the time I was looking at colleges, I knew Kentucky was where I wanted to be.
Honestly, when I first got here, I didn't know much about the Kentucky Three-Day Event. I had grown up around horses and around dressage, but the world of eventing was still foreign to me aside from watching it occasionally. That changed when I came across the marketing position posting for Equestrian Events, Inc. I remember reading through it and feeling genuinely excited, because it felt like the first opportunity that let me combine both sides of who I am: someone who loves business and someone who has spent her whole life with a love and passion for horses. Business had always been the practical, career-minded path I knew I wanted, but I never expected to find a role that let me bring my equestrian background into that world so directly.
From left to right: Anna Gardone, Sydney Zaikov, Sarah Staples, Willa Gartner, Delaney Foster, Codie Campbell
The year before I officially joined the team, I got to attend the event itself alongside my boss, and that was the first time I experienced the world of eventing hands on. Standing there and seeing the sheer production of it all, the logistics, the crowds, the sponsors, the riders, was something else entirely. I had always loved dressage, but seeing the full scope of a three day event and understanding just how much goes on behind the scenes to make it happen gave me a completely new sense of wonder for the sport. To then be able to learn the ins and outs of that operation felt like a dream.
When Jen first onboarded me, I will admit I was nervous. I knew so much about dressage but so little about eventing as a whole, and I was scared that gap in knowledge would leave me behind or make me feel like less of an asset to the team. But Jen took the time to walk me through the ins and outs of the marketing production, and before long I felt like I had truly found my footing. Her patience made all the difference, and I quickly went from feeling unsure to feeling like I belonged.
A lot of my time in the weeks leading up to the event was learning what it took to market the event, put out short form content, learn the ins and outs of ticket sales, and I can only summarize this time as nothing short of amazing. To be a part of a production and to be behind the curtains orchestrating the finale was so fulfilling and filled me with gratitude beyond compare. I feel indebted to Jen for being able to take her time to answer all of my questions, teach me everything she knew and show me what it took to put on a full scale international competition.
From left to right: Jen Sedlatschek, Willa Gartner, Delaney Foster
Photo by Patricia Welp
During the event itself, I was running around, creating content, preparing templates for the end of day emails, and picking up whatever miscellaneous task needed to be done in the moment. I was also taking it all in the entire time, and the more I saw, the more in awe I became. Watching the level of riding up close was insane; I had always respected the sport, but seeing it live, at that caliber was a different kind of appreciation altogether. And then being in the press room, watching people roll content in real time, felt like stepping into a completely different world. It was the first time I was able to see the equestrian industry as something beyond just the riders themselves. I started to see it as a production, an entire machine of people working together to bring the sport to life, and that shift in perspective changed how I understood the industry as a whole.
Beyond just onboarding me, Jen became an amazing mentor throughout the entire experience. Her unwavering commitment to the event was inspiring to witness, and she gave me so much patience and grace as I found my footing. Watching her work, being able to talk through ideas and problems with her, and feeling comfortable going to her with my thoughts, questions, and even my concerns about where I might fall short, made all the difference in how I grew during my time with EEI.
Although my original fear was that my gap in knowledge would leave me feeling lost or out of place in my position, I felt so surrounded by support that I was able to ask questions, make mistakes, and immerse myself in the eventing world. I never would have thought that one internship could change years of perspective on the equine industry, but it gave me a whole new lens, one of opportunity, where I can blend my passions and seek chances outside my own discipline. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and this newfound perspective as I continue down my path, and I am forever grateful to EEI.
From left to right: Delaney Foster, Willa Gartner
