“If you’re doing the same as everyone else, you’re not going to be the best”
- C.W. Farnsworth
About Me
Hi, my name is Isabel Darby. I'm a 19-year-old equestrian living in Northern California. In early 2021, I got my first horse, Wally, and have now been reining for 3 years. Throughout my riding career I have learned so much about the sport as well as myself and growing my personal strengths. From purchasing my own horse to starting my competitive career, my coachability, time management skills and respect for the sport has never been greater. These improvements are apparent not only in my riding but in my school rugby playing as well. Both of these sports have shaped who I am as an athlete in many ways. In rugby, I thrived off of the connection I had with teammates and a sense of community within the team. Therefore, I have made it imperative that I keep these connections in my riding and look forward to building a sense of community in a traditionally individual sport.
Fall of 2023 I joined a Division I NCAA Equestrian program but unfortunately I sustained an injury which made me temporarily withdraw from school to recover. Now that I am on the road to recovery I am more determined than ever to reach my goals athletically and academically.
Furthering my education and becoming an equine veterinarian is something I have aspired to ever since I was a young child because of my love for animals and biological sciences. Working with equids while shadowing veterinarians has only solidified that choice. I was given the opportunity to volunteer with Northgait Equestrian, Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, and Paw Fund which have all expanded my knowledge of taking care of animals and taught me many valuable skills. Veterinary medicine and reining are both passions of mine, and I intend for both to be large parts of my collegiate and adult life.
Outside of the Arena and School
2022-now
Paw Fund Volunteer
I have volunteered with Paw Fund at their monthly pop-up clinics to help underprivileged people care for their pets. Duties include set up/clean up, intake, medical history, administer vaccines, and assisting veterinarians.
2019-2021
Carondelet Rugby Team
Unfortunately my ability to participate in this club sport was deeply affected by covid and shutdowns, but I enjoyed learning the sport and playing on a team!
2022
AAUW Girls in STEM Conference
This conference was amazing to get to volunteer with because I was actually a participant when I was in 8th grade. It was awesome to get to help reach and guide these girls through their different rotations to learn about the stem fields.
2019-now
Vet Camps
Over the years I have completed multiple pre-veterinary-focused summer intensives put on by colleges and independent educational institutions. While participating in these camps I have learned how to suture, apply to vet school, and what veterinarians actually do in their day-to-day jobs.
2019
ARF Teen Leadership
I participated twice in the ARF teen leadership program. I learned about everything from shelter medicine to dog training, to fundraising for a non-profit.
2021
Shadow Veterinarians
While my school was still shut down, I had the opportunity to shadow two veterinarians weekly. My school had one day a week which was left unscheduled in terms of traditional classes and was meant to give students an opportunity to meet with teachers via zoom, or in my case, participate in career growth opportunities.
