How Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone Shapes Who You Become

By Sydney Zaikov

 Hi! My name is Sydney Zaikov, and I am a junior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Equine Science and Management. I grew up in Northern New Jersey and started riding around the age of ten, but I'd always hung around the farm before then. I have a horse named Charlie Brown, who we bought when I was three years old; I fell in love with the atmosphere that is created around horses and the immense dedication it takes to care for one.

When moving to Kentucky for college, I definitely had a fear of the unknown. Between stepping into a completely different area and not knowing a single person, I knew it was going to take work to become who I always envisioned — someone who made a name for themselves in an intimidating industry. I saw myself trying to get to know everyone and understand their stories of how they got to where they are today. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I felt like I belonged: I had a job on a Thoroughbred farm, loved my classes, became treasurer of the UK Polo Team, and had a good group of people supporting me. About halfway through the year I met Annie Martin, Director of Business Development and Sponsorship sales for Equestrian Events, Inc. After a few conversations on campus and at the polo farm, I knew this was someone I wanted to be guided by. Luckily, Annie reached out to me about being a hostess at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Growing up, I watched the Three-Day Event with my mother every year; I had always dreamed of attending, but never did I think I was going to have the opportunity to be a part of it. Despite not having any previous hostess experience, I said yes...and let me just say that was one of the best decisions I have ever made (and of course my mom had to get tickets for this full circle moment)!

 The week before the event, I was taken around the Kentucky Horse Park, given a rundown of the event in its entirety, and introduced to the EEI team, who I absolutely fell in love with. During the event, I oversaw the Chalet on Rolex Way Tent, which hosted all of the event sponsors, riders, grooms, owners, and trainers. I made sure everything went smoothly from the moment guests entered the tent, including the food service, navigating rain situations, and the overall guest experience. Those were the longest — but the best — four days of my life!

I had the privilege of meeting countless people who were a part of the equine industry in their own ways. The conversations were inspiring, and I am incredibly grateful to have been able to hear so many stories and experiences. After the weekend came to an end, I knew my time with the Three-Day had just begun; I wanted to become part of the team that builds the event into what it is throughout the year. During the summer, I reached out to Annie to see if I could intern for EEI in the fall for my class credits. She said yes, we did the paperwork, and before I knew it I was at the Kentucky Horse Park. My main task this past fall was to put together the Chewy Demonstration Arena that takes place in the Walnut Arena during the event. I reached out to numerous groups and individuals, set up all the information they would need, and went over the schedule details.

In addition to this, I was able to assist with other tasks as well. Since I was going to be the hostess for the Chalet on Rolex Way again, I got to dip my toes into what it takes to put that all together. I was part of meetings about catering, tent layout, ticketing, and overall planning. A key memory I have is joining Annie and some of the team to Keeneland's September Yearling Sale. Although I have gone there many times, this was a life-changing experience. Both there, and throughout my entire internship, I learned the art of intentionality: everything that you see at an event is placed there for a reason. It is so important to think about every detail when planning — not only the physical detail, but making sure that everything you do, you do with a purpose. Every conversation that you have, every action that is taken, is a representation of who you are...and it builds you as an individual. 

 With these experiences, I used the intentionality theme to present my internship for the University of Kentucky's Internship Showcase in December. I presented about how I stepped out of my comfort zone to take part in the Three-Day, and how it is so important that you always try to do so. Experiences build character; the more experiences that you agree to, and the more you step outside of your comfort zone, the more well-rounded you will become. 

 During the presentation section of the showcase, the EEI team showed up to support me. This absolutely lit me up inside. I am eternally grateful for every single one of them and the lessons I continue to be taught through my experiences with them. There was never an ounce of judgment, whether from a mistake or from the learning process itself in this new area of the industry. I was guided through everything and taught with such patience.

Seeing them at the showcase flooded me with emotion and I felt complete knowing that such a simple "yes" changed my life. At the final part of the showcase there was an awards ceremony, where everyone received a padfolio to add to our professionalism. Then, there was a final award for Most Outstanding Intern, and all of a sudden Annie was standing up and making her way to the front of the room. She began to speak about me and all my work with EEI. Come to find out, I was nominated for the award by Annie, and then selected by an anonymous group as winner of the award. This was such an amazing experience and surprise. I was at an all-time high; the experience within the internship was enough of an award for me, but for it to be formally recognized felt great. 

 Throughout my spring semester I am continuing to work under Annie as an intern before the Three-Day, and then I will once again be the Chalet on Rolex Way Hostess at the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.

I am so excited to see where this semester takes me and the experiences I will have.