Lavitto

I come from a family of successful entrepreneurs who have all developed skills of adaptability and persistence. My father, a self-made businessman, expects me to take calculated risks, apply myself to the task at hand, and adapt to change. It is these qualities that help me achieve my goals; as seen within his decisions to take me survival camping, to switch my school twice, and to buy me a horse of my own. However, I believe that the most impactful decision of his was to grant me with the responsibility of owning a horse. Lavitto, as he was named, was full of life and vigor. Over time, we formed an unforgettable bond that not only lead me to experience true commitment and unconditional love, but also helped me overcome my troubles and become more self-sufficient.

I was dedicated to making the most of this opportunity, spending hours each week at the stables with this incredible animal. We shared a competitive spirit and established an unconditional trust. Through years of rigorous training for international show jumping events, my desire to succeed consistently rose, along with the fences that I was to conquer. I did not always succeed, as humbling failures occasionally interrupted my pursuit. Yet, my failures never crippled me with fear. My drive to get back in the saddle and redeem myself was far too great.

In caring for Lavitto, I developed my ability to instinctively think of the needs and wants of others as well. For three years, he relied on me for the tender love and devoted care that would ensure both his physical and mental wellbeing. I had viewed his reliance upon me to satisfy his needs as my only source of tangible control—a concrete purpose. I firmly believed that the love I had, and still have for him, was strikingly similar to the love shared between a mother and her child. It has been so heart wrenching for me to see him go.

The summer before senior year, my dad decided that my social skills were lacking because I was spending too much time at the barn. So, with good intentions, my dad sold Lavitto. After Lavitto left, I felt as though I had lost a part of myself. My primary focus, outside of my academics, was always dedicated to caring for my beloved horse. It was through Lavitto I had the opportunity to learn the true meaning of love and loyalty. He was the one I leaned on when I let the harsh words of my peers get the best of me, he was the one who rested his head in my arms until the hurt I felt vanished from my thoughts, and he was the one who never left my side when I took a fall. His absence from my life has given me a taste of what it feels like to be in a position where my care is no longer constantly needed. Once I learned to accept the fact that he was not coming back, I discovered a burning desire within me to find another purpose; one that does not have to be bought or given to me. I soon realized that change is the only concrete in existence, or in other words the only constant in life is change.

My experience with Lavitto allowed me to discover that I have the ability to gracefully adapt to the omnipresent nature of change. Through these changes I have learned to realize the positive benefits I can reap from anything I am confronted with, regardless of how it presents itself. My relationships, my work, and my academics always provide me with the opportunity to test my abilities, this I have learned through times of challenging hardships and uplifting prosperity. While Lavitto’s departure was difficult, this event influenced me to discover that I have an unlimited capacity to always move forward in my life with the resolve and determination I need to pursue and achieve my greatest desires.