Senior Cathy Zhang has been a member of the Loomis Chaffee equestrian team since her freshman year. As she looks back on her journey, she reflects on the moments, lessons, and traditions that have shaped her experience. 

Is there a particular game, meet, or season that stands out as unforgettable?  
My freshman year season was by far the most memorable. We had a very small team, only seven of us, and four were freshmen. The whole concept of IEA [Interscholastic Equestrian Association], the organization we compete under, was completely new to us. But through the support of our teammates and coaches and a lot of hard work, we qualified for the Zone 1 Region 8 Finals [northern Connecticut] and, for the first time in the equestrian program’s history, we won and advanced to Zone 1 Finals [all of New England]. 

The first day of Zones, we were in the lead thanks to strong performances from our seniors, and although we dropped to sixth the next day, it was still incredible, especially considering we were competing against the 12 best teams in the Northeast, all with far more experience and [more] riders than we had. We had such a close-knit team and a great culture that pushed us to succeed against all odds. I’ll never forget one video of the results being announced. When our teammate’s name was called for first place, we all started screaming, cheering, and hugging. That moment really summed up the season. 

How has being part of this team pushed you outside your comfort zone? 
When I joined as a freshman, I was definitely the least experienced of the four freshmen, which made even being on the team feel outside my comfort zone. But that pushed me to work hard to build new skills and improve. 

The whole concept of IEA is also intimidating. You compete on a horse you’ve probably never ridden before, get maybe 30 seconds to warm up, and then go right into the ring. It’s nerve-wracking, but it teaches you to adapt quickly and trust your instincts. 

What traditions or team rituals mean the most to you? 
Blasting music on the bus rides to and from the barn, making everyone dance after lift no matter what, our holiday gift exchange, Media Day, and chatting on the bus about literally anything. I also love our team dinners after practice, the awkward icebreakers on the first day, and Saturday morning practices followed by breakfast at Julien’s Farm Store. Those moments really bring us together. 

How do you want to carry forward what you’ve learned here into college or life beyond athletics? 
I want to carry forward the resilience and adaptability this sport demands. You’re working with a 1,500-pound animal that won’t feel the same every day. Some days are great, some are frustrating, and you have to learn not to take that personally. Progress isn’t linear, and that’s an important lesson for life, too. 

This sport has also taught me to embrace the quirks of what I do, to find joy in things that others might not understand. Most importantly, it’s taught me kindness and collaboration, both within a team and in the partnership between rider and horse, where clear communication and mutual support are important characteristics in achieving success.