#sparkchamber 052526 — Gracie Phillips
With great joy we introduce today’s #sparkchamber visitor, 22-year-old Gracie Phillips. A labor-and-delivery nurse by profession, Gracie’s heart and soul is devoted to horses — “riding has shaped so much of who I am.” She is a co-captain of the Trent University Equestrian Team in Ontario, very much the center of her energy and passion. In her own words:
“I completed my nursing degree at Trent University, where I also discovered the Trent Equestrian Team. Nursing school was one of the most challenging experiences of my life, and during that time, I realized how important riding was for both my mental health and sense of balance.
“I have been riding for 15 years, spending much of that time competing on the Ontario Gold Circuit. Losing my horse at the beginning of university made it difficult to find the motivation and confidence to return to the saddle. Finding the Trent Equestrian Team changed that completely. The team reignited my passion for riding and introduced me to a supportive community unlike anything I had experienced before. What started as a way to stay connected to the sport quickly became a second family.
“Now, as Co-Captain, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back to a team that has meant so much to me. The Trent Equestrian Team competes within the Ontario Collegiate Equestrian Association [OCEA], a university equestrian circuit focused on catch-riding and equitation. Riders compete on horses they have never ridden before, emphasizing adaptability, horsemanship, and rider skill above all else.
“What makes the OCEA especially meaningful is its commitment to accessibility and community. Run entirely by volunteers, students, and alumni, it provides an affordable and welcoming environment where riders of all backgrounds can continue learning, competing, and growing within the equestrian world.”
1.] Where do ideas come from?
I think a lot of ideas come from experience, and riding has shaped so much of who I am. After riding for 15 years, I’ve learned that every horse, ride, and challenge teaches you something different. The sport constantly pushes you to adapt, stay patient, and keep learning, which is where a lot of my inspiration comes from.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible coaches throughout my riding career, especially while competing on the Ontario Gold Circuit. Their guidance has helped me grow not only as a rider, but also as a teammate and leader. They taught me the importance of discipline, confidence, and trusting the process, lessons that continue to influence the way I approach both riding and life.
Being both a labour and delivery nurse and an equestrian has taught me to be adaptable, patient, and supportive of others. A lot of my ideas and motivation come from the people around me, my teammates, coaches, patients, and fellow students, and from wanting to create positive, supportive environments where people can grow and feel confident.
2.] What is the itch you are scratching?
One itch I’m constantly scratching is the desire to work with young or project horses and help them grow in confidence and ability. I love the process of taking a horse that needs extra training, patience, or understanding and building a partnership with them over time.
After riding for 15 years and learning from incredible coaches throughout my career, I’ve developed a real appreciation for the small details that go into developing a horse. There’s something so rewarding about seeing progress, whether it’s helping a nervous horse gain confidence, teaching a young horse new skills, or working through challenges together.
I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of training and the feeling of earning a horse’s trust. Every project horse is different, and that challenge is what keeps me motivated and excited to continue learning as a rider.
3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?
I think I’ve become both a night owl and a morning person because of the lifestyle that comes with nursing and riding. Working shift work as a labour and delivery nurse has definitely turned me into a night owl. I’ve learned how to stay focused, productive, and energized during long overnight shifts, and some nights I feel most awake when everything else is quiet and calm.
At the same time, riding has made me appreciate early mornings. Early rides, barn routines, and long competition days have taught me to enjoy being up early and starting the day with purpose. There’s something peaceful about mornings at the barn before everything gets busy.
I’ve gotten used to adapting my schedule depending on what’s needed, and I think both nursing and riding have taught me how to find balance and thrive in both environments.
I’m definitely more of a hare than a tortoise. Between shift work as nurse and the fast pace of the equestrian world, I’m used to moving quickly, adapting on the spot, and juggling a lot at once. I thrive in busy environments and tend to work best when I’m constantly moving and challenged.
4.] How do you know when you are done?
I know I’m done when I feel like I’ve made a real connection and created progress, whether that’s with a horse, a team, or a patient. Riding has taught me that “done” doesn’t always mean perfect, it means ending on a positive note and knowing growth happened, even if it was small.
When working with young or project horses, I know I’m done when the horse feels more confident, relaxed, and trusting than when we started. Sometimes the biggest accomplishments are the small moments where something finally clicks.
In life, I’m not really someone who feels fully “finished.” I’m always looking for ways to improve, learn, and keep growing. After 15 years in the sport, I’ve realized the process is what keeps me motivated more than the end result.