Alyssa & Ben | Cambria Stables | The Second Chances Project

horse & rider portraits, Second Chances Project

Never underestimate a horse girl. When Alyssa’s parents told her as a child that she’d need to save her own money to buy a horse, she took them seriously. And then took them by surprise at age 14 when she saved up enough to purchase and care for her own horse. Alyssa rescued Ben, an off the track thoroughbred, from a kill buyer, and turned him into a successful hunter. These days they can be found training at Cambria Stables and showing at Devon. Yet another rags to riches story in The Second Chances Project! Scroll to the bottom of the page to see some of Alyssa’s own photos of her and Ben. As a New Jersey and Pennsylvania equine photographer, stories like these inspire me, and I’m excited to share Alyssa and Ben’s journey with you.

Alyssa & Ben’s story, photographed at Cambria Stables in Yardley, PA

Horse: B.B. Ben barn name Ben or Benjamin, 15 years old, thoroughbred, photographed at Cambria Stables in Yardley, PA

Discipline: hunters

How it all started…

I have been riding horses since I was six and [constantly begged] my parents to buy me my own horse. They told me if I truly wanted a horse I would save and buy one myself…my parents didn’t think I would take them seriously.

I began working at our horseback riding summer camp when I was 9 years old, where I would teach kids how to groom, care, and ride. Often I’d be making $50 for a 30 hour week, but I was pleased to put any money in the bank. I continued to save birthday and Christmas money, as well as working lessons after school, on weekends, and many summers of being a camp counselor. By the time I was 14, I had about $7,000 saved to rescue a horse and cover a couple of months of board, farrier, vet, etc. Ben was brought from a farm in Kentucky to the New Holland Auction where I rescued him for $3,500.

I have done hunters my whole life and wanted to continue in that discipline. I rescued Ben with his potential in mind. He was a 16.1 hh big-bodied thoroughbred that I knew could look fancy if I put my mind to it. There were definitely days where I thought we’d never make it to the show ring as a fancy hunter; with months and months of hard work and determination, Ben did not disappoint.

Ben [is] the first horse I [have] owned and trained by myself! I’ve assisted in training other horses, but never alone or [as] a personal project.

A Little History…

Ben lived on a backyard farm in Kentucky with a woman [over] the age the 70. She fed him corn and oats and he was taken on an occasional trail ride. …Ben [began] to be neglected due to his owner’s old age, he was eventually surrendered and taken to the New Holland Auction in Pennsylvania.

Ben was 12 years old when I purchased him from the New Holland Auction. He did not come with any papers or records, but after discovering his lip tattoo, K31160, I was able to find all of his information on the jockey club. He had 6 starts in 2010 and made a whopping $346.

How and when we met…

When I first met Ben, it wasn’t the typical love at first sight story. He was the sixth horse brought in from the auction for me to look at as a new prospect. He arrived with another horse that I was looking at as well, Mal. She was the complete opposite of Ben; [she was a] mare, bay, probably 300 pounds [lighter], and had a lot of training that needed to be refreshed. Ben, on the other hand, needed to be completely started. On top of all of this, I had just [had] a severe concussion and was extremely discombobulated with clouded judgment. At this point, I wasn’t even cleared to ride these horses! I lightly hacked both about three times each and was completely torn; to be honest, I wasn’t a fan of either horse but I knew I had to make a decision so they weren’t [both] sent to slaughter. I trusted my trainer’s opinion and settled with the calm, backyard trail horse that needed a purpose.

Despite going through the sale, Ben wasn’t in the worst condition I’ve seen. He was by no means perfect, but compared to some of the other horses coming from the auction, I knew it would be an easy rehab. His weight was perfect (shocking for a thoroughbred), he had a scar on the side of his face, rain rot on his hind legs, [and] a few scrapes here and there.

For the most part, I had an amazing support system regarding rescuing Ben. My barn family was incredible and was a huge help through this whole process [when I had my concussion]. Most of my family was supportive, there were a few people telling me to reconsider making such a big financial commitment at such a young age. [They also told] me I wouldn’t be able to make monthly payments [with] balancing school work and a job.

Our lowest point…

The lowest point in rescuing Ben was our first show. Training at home wasn’t going perfectly, [he was] still running to the jumps, hollowing out his back, running off of my leg, etc. …I had hoped if I [were to] take him to a small, local show in baby greens it would be a good start. Boy was I wrong!

Getting into the trailer he had already begun to have nervous diarrhea, which is a very real thing with thoroughbreds. He wiped green grass foam all over my white show clothes and refused to stand at the mounting block. When I couldn’t mount without five people on the ground helping, I knew it was going to be a bad day. [While] schooling he refused everything or crashed through it and took off. It was definitely beginning to be a dangerous situation. In our first class, Ben mistook the entry gate as the starting gate and bolted into the ring knocking over standards and flower boxes in his path. After I exited the ring I was crying and wanted to scratch the rest of my classes for my own safety. After that show, my trainer and I decided to backtrack Ben’s training. Admitting defeat is definitely the lowest point in training and rescuing a horse.

Our highest point…

The highest point in training Ben is something that sounds simple…a hunter course with no running to jumps, the correct leads, and keeping every rail up. It took about 14 months to be able to consistently do this with Ben. He came to my barn never seeing a jump before in his life and now he holds a headset, [and] carries himself over the jumps. [He] still has much more to learn! Appreciating the little things is so important when training horses!

Where we are now…

Despite not having a love at first sight experience with my rescue, he is the best thing to ever happen to me. (Fun fact: I dress him in hot pink and glitter even though he’s a gelding.) When I’m having a bad day, I reflect on how far we have come. Ben is my living proof of why one should follow their dreams. No one thought the nine-year-old with five siblings working a summer camp would buy her own horse, [but] anything is possible! I saved Ben’s life and he saved mine.