Hi there to all of the dreamers and trailblazers on the market! I’m Chanel Minnifield, passionately pursuing my 2028 Olympic desires and aiming to reshape the equestrian world. As a Black girl navigating a historically homogenous area, my journey is extra than simply private achievement – it is a heartfelt mission to encourage change and empower variety throughout the equestrian neighborhood.
Meet Digital Soldier, My Associate in Change
I might prefer to share the heartwarming journey of a really particular horse, Digital Soldier, or as we affectionately name him, Digi. Digi’s story started within the echoes of hooves thundering throughout Golden Gate Fields, the place he raced his final in 2024. It is a story tinged with nostalgia because the closure of such an iconic monitor marked the tip of an period but in addition the beginning of a brand new chapter for Digi. Born and bred in Washington by the caring palms of Shawn Hanson, Digi left the racing silks behind with a vivid future forward of him in equestrian occasions.
Because of his earlier handlers’ loving care, his transition from monitor life to our arms was clean. Digi’s pivot from racer to rising star symbolizes hope and new beginnings. His subsequent problem: the Kentucky Thoroughbred Makeover, a part of the Retired Racehorse Mission (RRP), which redefines retired racers’ lives, providing them a stage to showcase their versatility and spirit.
Digi’s background is as wealthy as his character. His sire, Goldencents, handed down a fiery spirit that Digi carries gracefully, and born from the lineage of Empire Maker, Digi was destined for greatness. His breeders, Todd and Shawn Hansen, selected the CARMA placement program to make sure he discovered a life after racing crammed with care and journey, main him straight to us.
Zen Coronary heart Horsemanship: A Beacon of Change
Because the co-founder of Zen Coronary heart Horsemanship, I’m deeply dedicated to disrupting the established order within the equestrian business. Our nonprofit is a testomony to the facility of inclusivity, focusing intensely on enriching the game by way of the lenses of BIPOC people who aspire to compete and excel. Zen Coronary heart is not only a company; it’s a motion, championing the reason for accessibility and illustration in a world ripe for change.
Moreover, we’re devoted to offering second careers for Off-Monitor Thoroughbreds (OTTBs), guiding them from racetrack retirees to indicate leaping contenders. This transformative journey not solely presents these horses a brand new lease on life but in addition showcases their outstanding versatility and capability for excellence in new disciplines.
A Bond Cast in Belief and Pleasure
From the second Digi and I began our journey collectively, it was clear that our connection was destined to be profound. Our preliminary days have been woven with classes of quiet bonding, the place sitting with him whereas he ate wasn’t nearly companionship – it was about constructing an unshakeable belief. Every playful encounter, every impediment overcome, introduced us nearer, turning challenges into triumphs and worry into bravery.
Digi’s enthusiasm is infectious. His love for crimson buckets and pleasure in our spherical pen video games remind me day by day of the purity and sincerity of our targets. He doesn’t simply study from me; he conjures up me, pushing me to advocate for each Thoroughbred’s potential to be acknowledged and revered.
The Street Forward
As we gear up for the Thoroughbred Makeover, our preparation goes past bodily coaching. It’s a non secular, emotional journey that challenges us to be higher, to do extra for the game we love. This competitors just isn’t merely about efficiency – it’s about proving the price of second probabilities and celebrating the indomitable spirit of Thoroughbreds.
This quest is laden with the promise of breaking obstacles and setting up a legacy not simply of victory, however of impactful, enduring change. As we advance in the direction of the 2028 Olympics, our path is paved with hopes, challenges, and the shared desires of a neighborhood that believes in the fantastic thing about variety.
Keep tuned as we gallop in the direction of a horizon crammed with desires and alternatives. Be part of us as we proceed this unimaginable journey, reworking each impediment right into a steppingstone for progress and each triumph right into a beacon of variety and energy.
Collectively, let’s experience in the direction of a future the place each stride tells a narrative of braveness, change, and unconditional love. Here is to residing our desires, driving past boundaries, and reshaping the world – one hoofbeat at a time.
