Cadence Schneider: Riding in Style

Cadence Schneider ’23 took the reins of her first horse when she was five years old—and hasn’t let go since. She recently competed in her final high school equestrian show at Folly Farm in Simsbury, Connecticut, and left as champion, finishing in first place in the 3' fence jumper division! 

Following the competition, Cadence had a chance to reflect on all the riding she has done from her younger days up through her Canterbury years as a member of the team at Quiet Rein Farm in New Milford.

“I have always loved animals, especially horses,” she recalled. “My grandparents saw that and gave me a gift certificate to the local barn down the street from my house. I fell in love with it instantly and have been riding every week from then on.” 

Cadence appreciated the opportunity to continue pursuing her passion throughout her time at Canterbury. “It has been a great experience. I love all the Quiet Rein trainers. They are incredible,” she said. “The farm is only two minutes from campus, so it is easy to get to. I do this five to six times a week at the same time other students are doing their sports on campus, so I am not missing out on social events and campus life. It counts as my sport year-round.”

While Cadence credits her trainers for her continued improvement as a rider, she is especially grateful to her biggest fan and supporter over the years—her mother, Canterbury Trustee Nicole D’Amour Schneider ’93, P ’20, ’22, ’23. “My mom has been to almost every show since I started,” she shared.

Nicole is just as grateful to Canterbury for giving Cadence the opportunity to follow her dream. In a heartfelt note to the School, the proud mother wrote:

“We just want to say thank you to all the key players who have supported her endeavors at Quiet Rein over the last four years…the rides to and from the barn, the endless weekend show day requests, the flexible schedules so she could attend barn events and late practices, and your overall willingness to partner with us and provide encouragement to Cadence so she could enjoy the best of both worlds—riding and life at Canterbury.”

And that enjoyment will continue for Cadence in the fall when she joins the IHSA Equestrian team at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. “I am so excited to continue in college as part of a team,” she said. “I am majoring in Criminal Justice and plan to go into that field, but I would still like to ride even after college.”

Clearly, the passion that took root in that five-year-old girl a dozen years ago still runs deep. “It has been quite an adventure,” Cadence said. “I wouldn’t change it for anything.”