January 3, 2022
The bright show lights hit her, and she became the most important figure in the arena. Ava Mariotti (‘25) and her horse, Mel, mesmerize spectators on the big stage of the Pinto World Championship, a riding contest for Pinto horses. In a competition cluttered with judging politics and “playing favorites”, Mariotti stays silent, still, and more relaxed, now feeling the warmth of the light on her face. Her case was being made for her without a sound. No buttering herself up for the crowd or judges, just letting her outfit, then her talent speak for themself.”
The eyes of the crowd fall to Mariotti, her horse, and her turquoise jacket glistening in the lights. Her jacket hides the months of preparation and testing dedication Mariotti pushed through. To the crowd, her showing looks effortless.
Mariotti began riding horses when she was only four years old. Despite falling out of the sport when she reached six, she was back in the saddle by her fourth-grade year. Her passion for riding began early, but her passion for fashion began even earlier.
One year at sleep away camp, Mariotti, whose mother normally lays out her clothes for the day, was left alone in New Jersey to plan her outfits alone. She became hooked after realizing that her young self could create masterpieces for herself. giving her an enormous confidence boost. This would not be the last time fashion would aid her in this sense.
Whether her concoctions make total sense to everyone around her is irrelevant. As long as she picks her outfit out, Mariotti will be proud and confident. In the short time away at camp, Mariotti was able to create showpieces some would not have been brave enough to wear themselves.
“Okay so, I’m pretty sure – and keep in mind here that this was 2016 and it was Taylor Swift inspired- but it was black tights and these boots with a sweater-dress type thing, and it was grey. And it had this infinity scarf. And looking back, it was kind of a disaster but at the time it was really cool,” Mariotti remembers.
Both style and riding have helped Mariotti to find joy in each day and be more secure and self-assured. Friends and classmates of Mariotti often notice her refreshing and put together style of clothes. They might also know of her horses and her barn, but what people don’t know is that the two have crossed paths many times before.
Mariotti’s world of fashion and riding collide when she dressed her old horse, ZiZi, as a leaf pile for a costume competition, dressed another one of her horses, Mel, like Mr. Ed, from the sitcom Mister Ed for Halloween, and when she wears her sparkly riding jacket as a reminder that she has worked hard to be wherever she is.
At the 2020 Pinto World Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mariotti knew it would be the last show with her horse Mel. The pair’s bond had not only grown close because of the ribbons they had brought home, but because of the work they had continuously done together week after week. This saddened the ending of their riding career due to Mel’s old age.
Mariotti’s faith in her riding had been diminished since her last performance had not gone as hoped for. To add onto her stress, which she was expected to hide in her shows, this was a year that the judges had not taken very much notice of Mariotti. Still, when she had on her elegant jacket with the mesmerizing blue stones against the black, people understood she was serious.
“It just gave me that confidence boost that I think helped them realize like hey she’s competitive, she knows what she’s doing.”
Now, Mariotti can look upon her emerald sixth place ribbon and remember her story of dedication and confidence.
