What is an equestrian? An equestrian is a person who rides on and/or performs on horseback. Being an equestrian can be a very dangerous and tricky job. There are many ways to get hurt and many ways the horse can get hurt, too, so to be an equestrian is take risks, and Lizabeth Maleno Jacobo understands that completely.

Maleno has been riding since the age of 10. “My dad got me [a horse] when I was like 7, for my birthday!” Her horse “is black but turning kind of white,” she said. “And he’s really big and nice!”

Maleno, who has been riding for about six years, enjoys riding, but still finds it dangerous. It took almost a year for her to become a good equestrian. “My dad showed me the basics!” she said.

While she does it mostly for fun, there’s a reason she has not pursued more in the area of competition. “There is none out here,” she said, and she isn’t interested in pursuing it as a career. “I get nervous riding, so I don’t much, but I like it!” she said.

While Maleno enjoys being an equestrian, she is also a nail tech.