Gianna Brocchini is a sophomore here at Ripon High School who has a passion for horseback riding. Brocchini has a drive to be a part of the tribe and show her support for her school and her community.

You may see Brocchini at sporting events or school events to show her admiration for her school.

“I try my best to be involved and a part of our tribe. I attend sporting events and go to dances. I volunteer at the recycling center. I want to give back to the school and the community,” Brocchini stated.

Aside from seeing Brocchini at school and school-related activities, you can catch her spending her time horseback riding. She even recently competed in the National Finals in Syracuse, New York, where she showed outstanding performance.

“I placed 5th out of 1,870 riders. All of the riders rode unknown and new horses to show off their own skills,” Brocchini explained.

Horseback riding is a challenge, and it may be different from what others think. The feeling of actually horseback riding is entirely different.

“You don’t just sit there. It’s a lot of communication, and it’s a lot of hard work to get good at it,” Brocchini claimed.

Brocchini developed an attachment to horses and horseback riding as a little girl.

“My aunt breeds and raises horses, and ever since I was a little kid, she would teach me how to take care of them. I got hooked,” Brocchini said.

At the moment, Brocchini also has two of her own horses: Tornado and Albert. Brocchini greatly enjoys the relationship that is developed with the horse when horseback riding.

“I love just being able to be a part of a partnership where you don’t speak the same language, but you learn how to communicate,” Brocchini claimed.

Brocchini finds the same comfort at RHS as she does in her zone of horseback riding.

“I feel like I am a part of RHS’ tribe because I like that everyone knows each other, so we’re comfortable around each other. We’re not afraid to be ourselves around other people because it’s small and oriented around each other,” Brocchini stated.

Brocchini has developed such an attachment to horseback riding and the thrill that comes with it that she always wants to keep it a part of her life.

“I’m really passionate about horseback riding, and I hope to pursue a career in it,” Brocchini claimed.