Ruby Tevis
Lexington, KY
College student, journalist and dressage rider
How long have you been part of the horse world?
I totally caught the horse bug as a freshman in high school, when I started leasing a sweet Arabian dressage pony named Remy. He taught me the joy of loving a horse — that there is so much more to it than just riding!
What part do you play in the horse world?
My entire life revolves around horses! As a rider, my main discipline is dressage, but I also ride hunt seat with the Midway University IHSA team. Outside of the barn, I serve as the Junior/Young Rider Representative on the board of the Kentucky Dressage Association and enjoy volunteering with our youth members. I am also a proud member of the Sidelines magazine team as a writer and social media director.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do?
I love that even though I’m still in college, I’ve been able to pursue my dreams inside the show ring and in the greater horse community. Writing for Sidelines has been an amazing experience because I get to connect with some of my role models and learn all about their journey to the top, then write their stories to share with the world!
What’s your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement was my seventh place finish in the Young Rider National Championship at the 2020 USEF Festival of Champions with Beerend W., a 20-year-old Friesian gelding owned by Vickie Short. I’m also proud to have won the 2020 American Horse Publications Student Award and the 2019 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. 
What are your goals for the future?
After years of leasing horses, I’m finally a horse owner! In September, I adopted Carl, a 5-year-old American Saddlebred gelding from the American Saddlebred Legacy Foundation. My goals for the future are to pamper him, develop him as a sport horse and show the world what a Saddlebred can do!
What’s the best thing about your life?
The best thing about my life is my support system! I’m so grateful to my mom for teaching me the value of hard work, to many generous owners and trainers for sharing their horses with me, and to the barn families I’ve been a part of that are always cheering me on.
Best kept secret about what you do!
I think there are a lot of similarities between riding horses and writing stories! After a stressful day, there’s nothing like a good ride on your horse where you can tune out the rest of the world and focus just on your ride. I feel the same way with writing, too! When I am writing an article, I get into a rhythm and flow, and my stress seems to float away.
