For as long as she can remember, Madison Windsor, junior, has been on the back of a horse.

“My parents and I ride, it’s in the family. It’s a family  passion. I don’t remember my first ride since they took me when I was so young,” Windsor said.

Windsor has participated in horse riding and equestrian competitions for 17 years and currently participates in Hunter and Jumpers, classes of competition for riders.

“This season I have done 10 different shows. I probably will do another 9 this year,” Windsor said.

Windsor operates out of Ridgefield arena, a horse training facility about 15 minutes from Lafayette. Windsor explained she visits Ridgefield at least five days a week on average to either train, take lessons or ride her horse.

“I love the feel you get when you’re riding, the feeling that your flying or soaring through the air. The exhilaration of at all is great,” Windsor said.

Windsor says that one of her favorite parts of riding is getting to spend time with her friends and fellow riders.

“Riding with friends is really fun. We get to talk on our horses and ride together, jump together. I don’t know, but something about that has always been the most fun,” Windsor said.

Windsor enjoys the equestrian community but dislikes how it seem to have large representation at Lafayette.

“There are a lot of barns in our area, mostly filled with Hunter and Jumper people, but there aren’t that many people in our Equestrian Club. I know for sure there a ton of people who train at Ridgefield who go here,” Windsor said.

Though she hopes to do something in art when she gets older, Windsor never wants to stop riding horses.

“I hope to just be able to ride forever and have it continue to be my hobby even when I get a day job. If I have kids, I want to one day to teach them to ride as well,” Windsor said.