Alexa (right) shows off the ribbons she won in our annual horse show next to her mother, Angela (left)
From her teen years now into early adulthood, at just 20 years old, Alex D has been a part of the Ironstone Farm family for five years. Alexa has shown exponential growth mentally, physically, and emotionally since she began riding, and deserves every bit of recognition for her progress! Congratulations, Alexa!
Alexa’s journey began after attending a summer camp session, where she instantly fell in love with the confidence and joy that horseback riding brought her. Having an inoperable brain tumor from a young age and battling with cancer, Alexa developed complex medical issues; however, that does not stop her from jumping atop a horse every week, especially astride our fastest trotting queen, Jessica, Alexa’s favorite pony.
Riding has not only brought emotional resilience but significant physical conditioning and strength, so that Alexa can continue to participate in school activities and other hobbies. Thanks to her weekly sessions and occasional weekend rides with our community partner, Lucy’s Love Bus, Alexa can step outside her comfort zone and better focus on her goals, like her aspiration to work with young children at a physical therapy center.
Thank you, Alexa, for bringing a radiance and light to our farm each week. We couldn’t be more proud and excited to celebrate you and all that you have accomplished as a rider at Ironstone Farm.
“Ironstone Farm is an important part of Alexa’s life. She looks forward to going every week. The staff and volunteers have made riding at Ironstone Farm very accessible. There’s never been a time where anyone has said she can’t do something. Rather, the spirit has always been about how they can make it all work for her” -Alex D, Alexa’s Father