“Ainsley was introduced to me almost 10 years ago as a shy, timid child, but it quickly became clear that her determination as an eager young pony rider would help her to grow into such an amazing and confident accomplished young woman. Over the years I have witnessed her remarkable growth and it has been a pleasure to not only know her but especially to coach and train her.
Ainsley’s journey in the show ring has been truly exceptional. Starting with winning countless championships in the ground poles and cross rails, she quickly surpassed my expectations by easily moving from children’s ponies to the regular ponies in less than a year. Her determination and partnership with her pony led them to achieve their goal of successfully competing at pony finals. Now, as she transitions to her new junior horse, I’m excited to watch her aim for more success at the 2025 Junior Hunter Finals. Along with showing her own mounts Ainsley has also been a fundamental member of the Empress Equestrian IEA Team. Every year she has competed she not only has individually qualified to compete at zones but she has also helped her team qualify for Nationals for the past 5 years. Her strong work ethic and positive attitude has helped to motivate herself and her teammates to be a force to be reckoned.
What stands out most is her incredible work ethic and unwavering positivity therefore watching her journey has been very fulfilling. She has grown into being such a confident, mature, and out going fun-loving young woman. Ainsley inspires everyone around her, demonstrating responsibility and success while always maintaining a great attitude. She is a fantastic role model, and I am fortunate to have her in my life and to have around as such a great example for others to look up to.”
~ Jamie Mills, Trainer at Empress Valley Farm
“I believe Ainsley would be a fantastic addition to any college equestrian team. One of my favorite moments from her career was at the 2022 IEA National Finals. During a tough flat test with only four riders called back, Ainsley crushed it, which not only earned her the class win but was pivotal to our team snagging 3rd place in the nation!
“What really sets Ainsley apart is her character and sportsmanship. She’s always there to support her teammates, offering encouragement, especially after a rough ride. She naturally takes on a leadership role, ready to lend a hand or share some advice.
Ainsley also goes above and beyond when it comes to horse care. As a working student, she looks after her own horse and makes sure all the horses in the barn are well taken care of. She’s reliable and dedicated and is always helping out younger riders during practice.
With her strong riding skills, positive attitude, and great work ethic, Ainsley would be a fantastic fit for any collegiate equestrian program. I’m confident she’d be a valuable asset to your team!”
~ Stephanie Roof, Assistant Trainer at Empress Valley Farm
“It is with great pleasure that I provide a recommendation for Ainsley Russell, a junior at BWHS, for consideration in your esteemed equestrian program. Ainsley is a remarkable student and scholar who consistently exhibits unwavering dedication, perseverance, and hard work in her academic pursuits. Having had the privilege of meeting Ainsley last year, I was immediately struck by her maturity and her determination to achieve success both academically and in her extracurricular pursuits.
Ainsley has exhibited an exemplary commitment to equestrian sports since her introduction to the discipline on her 6th birthday. Over the years, she has not only honed her riding prowess, but has also displayed a profound dedication to the sport. Her impressive list of accomplishments in equestrian sports include multiple national finals appearances, top placements in her classes, the prestigious Ohio Hunter Jumper Association Sportsmanship Award, recognition as a KHJA grant recipient, and the attainment of numerous year-end championships.
I firmly believe that Ainsley’s exceptional attributes, encompassing discipline, perseverance, and a collaborative spirit, render her a well-suited candidate for your equestrian program. I am confident that she will bring the same level of tenacity and commitment to your program as she has to her academic and equestrian pursuits.
Should you require any further details or clarifications, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].”
~ Dr. Nicole Carter; Principal, Big Walnut High School, Sunbury, OH
“Ainsley was a student in my English 9 class, and I was impressed with her from the start. She is hardworking, intelligent, organized, and outstanding at communication. Ainsley was part of a class of students who rarely met her level of motivation, but she never allowed that to hinder her efforts or her ability to connect with her peers. Time and time again, she showed up to class engaged and ready to push herself to reach her maximum potential. Ainsley has a refreshing, humble confidence about her that commands respect and serves her well when working with horses. Her maturity is beyond her years because she is always striving to improve while maintaining a healthy perspective about her strong abilities. I don’t have a lot of familiarity with equine sports, but whenever Ainsley talks about horses with me, I am astounded by her expertise. She has the vocabulary, skills, experience, and intuition to prove that she can perform among the elite. She has put in a tremendous amount of time around horses but still manages to excel in her academic studies, consistently earning top grades even when she has to miss school for events. Ainsley told me early in her freshman year that she would sometimes have to sacrifice some school time to pursue this passion, but in most cases, she would return from horse shows ahead of her peers in spite of her absences. She just manages all of the pressures with a level head and a positive mindset. Although Ainsley is fairly soft-spoken, she always forms positive relationships with students and adults, and her sportsmanship has been recognized and rewarded in competitions. I am so proud of Ainsley and could not recommend her enough as a student, an equine athlete, and an amazing young adult. ”
~ Zach Westhoven; English, Big Walnut High School, Sunbury, OH