It’s not often you're able to merge your professional career and equestrian lifestyle, but Dr. Wendy Rice is one of the few who found a way to do it and is doing it well.
Like many young equestrians, Dr. Rice was a true “barn rat” growing up and was grateful for the opportunity to sit on anything handed to her. She had her first lesson on a palomino named Willing at Lake Bryn Mawr Camp in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and three lunge line lessons in the summer of 1978, which soon turned into a weekly lesson after some convincing. Once she received her driver’s license, she started leasing a horse, and when she left home to attend Skidmore College, she participated in an independent studies program that gave her what she’d always dreamed of.
“All I wanted was a relationship with a horse and I couldn't afford to own one. So, with my independent study, they would give me a horse to work with for a semester,” explained Dr. Rice.
While she managed to find a ride here and there, her professional career had taken precedence within her life. Focused on her education, she attended graduate school to earn her doctorate in psychology, but it wasn’t until she turned 30 that she was able to do what she’d dreamed of: purchase her first horse.
“I sent my mom pictures from the vetting and she says, ‘Why are you buying a giraffe?” and I was like, ‘Well, why not? That's what I can afford," said Dr. Rice with a laugh.
Fast forward to 2000, Dr. Rice moved to Florida, which kickstarted her passion for more time in the saddle, and she has been “living out her junior years” ever since. Competing at the National Horse Show three times and showing in the amateur owner hunters 3’3” consistently was never on her radar until Jurrney entered her life.
“I didn't get to do any of the pony or junior hunter things, but I’ve had some great trainers since living here and have gotten to do things I would’ve never imagined,” she said. “I thought I exceeded my dreams on other horses years ago and then Jurrney came around.”
Dr. Rice was watching someone ride her soon-to-be-new horse, and she remembers thinking, “I get to sit on that.” When it was her time to hop on, it only took her a few minutes before telling her trainer to put the 2014 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Entertainer x Briljant R) onto the trailer.
“Before I even cantered, I asked my trainer, ‘Can we take him home?’ and she said, ‘Don’t you think you should canter?’ ” Dr. Rice explained. “I finally cantered, and even before jumping a crossrail, I was still telling her to just put him on trailer.”
“I waited years for ‘Casper’, and I thought he was it,” said Dr. Rice of the realization she had when she got her new partner. “I had so many incredible experiences with Casper; I never thought I'd have another horse that would make me feel brave, and then Jurrney came and he just fills me up inside.”
Jurrney, like many horses, has a personality that’s easy to love. One aspect is his infatuation of having his teeth rubbed, and the fact that he never seems to be satisfied with the amount of hay in his stall. After putting the girth on, Dr. Rice stretches his front legs, and he gives her a few gentle licks upon her face every single time. She laughed when describing his love for his favorite snack, “He loves his watermelon, and he’s so happy when he gets some.”
Working as a licensed psychologist at her private practice in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Rice performs comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for children and adults with learning disabilities and provides treatment for OCD, anxiety, and more. That's her Monday through Wednesday, but it's her Thursday through Sunday schedule that lets her live out her horse girl dreams.
On those days, you can find Dr. Rice in Ocala either conducting virtual calls with clients, meeting riders at their stalls at the World Equestrian Center, or grabbing lunch on the property, but it hasn’t always looked like this glamorous.
“I bought a three-horse slant trailer with living quarters, and I am fortunate that I am able to park it full time at Meadowood Farm in Ocala,” she explained her split schedule. “It's amazing because I live on a farm, I can go see my horse before I go to bed, and I meet him in the field in the morning. So, it’s very special and I feel so fortunate.”
“From when I was a little kid to the first time somebody offered me another horse to ride, it's still the greatest privilege ever, and I still feel like I'm 16 years old. You think you died and went to heaven, but I'm 56 years old, and I still feel the same way,” Dr. Rice said passionately.
Three years ago, she stepped into the world of sports psychology for equestrians. Having been diagnosed with ADHD herself, Dr. Rice wanted to help other riders that also struggle with anxiety or forgetfulness like herself, which led to her creating A.D.D Equestrian.
“There's lots of people with anxiety and ADHD who ride, and it matters how they view themselves and how the people who help them, understand them,” said Dr. Rice. “I'll have people send clients to my practice in Tampa because they know I ride, and now, I’m able to help people at horse shows. I'm having so much fun because I'm using all my skills as a psychologist, I get to talk with people, and we all talk the same language.”
Using her 30 years of advanced training in psychotherapy and neuropsychology, Dr. Rice has been able to differentiate herself among other service providers. She helps riders of all ages and backgrounds gain clarity, confidence, and tools they need to succeed in and out of the show ring.
Being able to marry her two lives together has been one of the most life-changing decisions, and it has been well worth taking the leap into her business. Dr. Rice is not just a psychologist and amateur rider; she is proof that you can create a life you love and encourages others to do the same.
“I love the A.D.D Equestrian, I believe in what I do, and I can stand behind it,” she said. “So, believe in what you do; it may take three months, three years, but just keep showing up.”