05/26/2026
Many of you may know Lily— whether you’ve seen her helping with barn chores or on her faithful ol’ appy “Aurora.” We want to share how proud we are of her and a huge accomplishment she’s made.
Lily started at DJR as a working student when we first moved in and she was just 12 years old. She’s seen every change on the property, each horse that’s been in our barn, and all the day to day things in between. She’s helped with barn chores twice a week for over 3 years and has earned every bit of lessons, help with training, and opportunities she’s gotten. Never once has she complained about the work or given a word of back talk— something nearly unheard of for a young teen in 2026. It’s not often we see kids her age as hardworking, dedicated, responsible, and respectful as she is.
In addition to competitive swim and being very accomplished in jujitsu, Lily has begun competing with her horse Aurora, who has been a pasture puff for most of her life. She’s absolutely made the most of the horse she has and they have proven how hard work pays off at our most recent show.
Lily and Aurora ran their fastest time in EVERY event, won their very first blue ribbon, and even set an arena record winning Flag Race with a time of 13.004!
We are so proud of Lily and the young lady she is becoming. Congratulations to this wonderful team on their achievements— they truly deserve it!
📸: Hummingbird Photography
