Amateur Hour: Elizabeth Anctil

Name: Elizabeth Anctil

Discipline/Division: Adult Amateur Hunter/Eq/Jumpers 
​
Horse name & age:  Stella "By Design", Dutch Warmblood, 7 years old 

Stella recently suffered an injury to her eye while in her stall. She is regulated to wearing a black-out mast and is on stall rest. Elizabeth has set up a GoFundMe to help offset some of the veterinary expenses. 

What is your day job and how often are you at the barn?
I am a full time Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at a Level One Trauma Center. I work 12 hour shifts 3 or 4 days a week.. Since my shifts are so long I am unable to go to the barn on days I work. But I do go every day I am off!

How do you plan your horse's training and show schedule around your work schedule? How often do you show?
I ride her every day that I do not work. On the days I do work either my trainer rides her or another girl at my barn that I trust very well. We try to attend shows at least once a month.

What do you find you struggle with most as an adult amateur? And how do you overcome that?
I don't struggle too much with being an Adult Amateur. I am proud of my status and I enjoy the divisions I compete in.

What's been the best advice you've received and what advice would you give other adult amateurs?
As George Morris says, "If you're not going to the hospital, you're getting back on." I live by his advice. I think this quote applies I more than falling off and getting back on. It can be taken many different ways. If you have a bad lesson, strive for a better one tomorrow. If you are showing and miss a few distances, improve in your next round.
​
I would tell other adult amateurs the same thing.  Never let one mistake or one bad ride bring you down. Just let it make you stronger and more driven towards your goals. 

What does being #AdultAmmyStrong mean to you?
Being #AdultAmmyStrong means being proud of who I am as a rider and competitor. It means striving to become a better rider and to learn more each day and with each ride. Being an Adult Amateur is being able to live my two lives, working and riding, simultaneously and seamlessly. It is hard work but I love every second of it! 

Connect with Elizabeth

Instagram: @izzy_a