Black Reins Introduces Their Newest Contributor: Isabella Tillman

Today Black Reins is thrilled to introduce our newest contributor: Isabella Michele Tillman. Tillman is a recent graduate of Williams College, of Williamstown Massachusetts, having majored in English, with a concentration in Africana Studies. Her equestrian foundation lies in hunt seat riding as she’s enjoyed a nineteen year career in the Hunter-Jumper discipline, jumping everything from logs on the trails through the Berkshire mountains, to triple-bar oxers in Wellington Florida. 

As a young rider she focused her efforts on the hunter category and earned her first state championship at the age of twelve aboard six-year-old Danish Warmblood, Enchantress. In continuing her equestrian education, Tillman’s experiences have afforded her the opportunity to develop a broad industry awareness through the selection and acquisition of prospect imports, selection for participation in the Unites States Equestrian Federation’s Emerging Athletes Program, and through competition at many national hunter/jumper venues where she earned top honors as a junior. Tillman entered the collegiate sphere as an IHSA Open-Open rider earning the team’s highest ranking rider position as a freshman, and went on to captain her alma mater’s equestrian team -earning the position as a sophomore- before refocusing her riding career on the comprehensive development of young prospects and competitive jumper arena performance. 

Tillman further ameliorates her equestrian resume through continuing education in dressage, clinic attendance, young horse starting, and reading and researching any and everything that broadens her equine training and care horizons. 

The multifaceted and precocious riding career which she reflects having been “indescribably fortunate to experience” has molded Tillman’s fluency in navigating social and industrial hallmarks of equestrianism; though it has simultaneously provided her with a nuanced understanding of the particular challenges facing riders of color, and has led to what she describes as a “unwavering commitment to overcome inequality and expand equestrian access to all.” Tillman’s formal Africana studies education from Williams College has enhanced her basis from which to fight multiple jeopardies affecting fellow individuals of color, which she solemnly cites “I personally possess a lifelong resolve to do.”

Tillman is enthusiastic about joining the Black Reins community to partake in a role which allows her to connect with the incredibly talented and layered minority equestrian industry and its accompanying community, report on community members experiences while joining the voices of support and encouragement through highs and lows, and to use her platform to further tolerance, acceptance, and respect for riders of all races, colors, creeds and orientations. 

And in celebrating and improving the lives of the horse –the humble yet awesome animal who has inspired Black Reins and every single member of its community– Tillman cites that “in addition to being ecstatic to write in support of Black Reins riders, I am honored to experience this platform from which to write in support of our horses!” A self-described “tack-a-holic” with a special place in her heart and training/care toolkit for special needs riding horses (like Enchantress who Tillman nursed through a virus affecting the mare’s facial nerves before campaigning as a champion hunter), Tillman welcomes any and every outreach message on the subject of pretty much anything equine! 

On behalf of the Black Reins community, we extend Miss Tillman a warm welcome. Send her a shout by Facebook messaging the Black Reins inbox, or her personal profile (Isabella Michele Tillman), or leave a comment below to welcome her aboard!