ALYSSA MATHEWS IS DOCUMENTING THE AMAZING WORLD OF HORSES WITH A QUEST TO RIDE EVERY BREED.

BY ALYSSA MATHEWS

Alyssa Mathews’ beloved Canadian gelding, Ridge Farm Kamanchi Nash, is one of the horses that inspired her quest by showing her how truly special each breed can be. She lost Nash in 2014, and the Canadian Horse is still on her list to officially film for the project.

Standing on a remote beach in Ireland, I breathed in the salty air and listened to the sound of the North Atlantic lapping its shores. I felt a wave of nerves as I stepped up to take the reins of the large gray stallion in front of me. My foot reached for the stirrup and I swung my leg up and around to settle in the saddle. Closing my hands softly on the reins, we connected with each other. In that moment, all nerves disappeared. I was home.