Horses Play Large Role In Life of EFSC Volleyball Player Sara Watkins

By  //  October 10, 2013

Watkins in 6TH year at Willow Wisp Acre

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — The Eastern Florida State College sophomore volleyball player from Chuluota, Florida has one to call her own and holds a job where she is responsible for 14, one of which recently competed in a Hunter Under Saddle world championship event.

The Eastern Florida State College sophomore volleyball player from Chuluota, FL has one to call her own and holds a job where she is responsible for 14, one of which recently competed in a Hunter Under Saddle world championship event. (EFSC image)
The Eastern Florida State College sophomore volleyball player from Chuluota, FL has one to call her own and holds a job where she is responsible for 14, one of which recently competed in a Hunter Under Saddle world championship event. (EFSC image)

Watkins is in her sixth year of working at Willow Wisp Acres next to her family’s home and has done everything from mucking stalls, fixing and painting fences, ministering to ill or injured horses and training riders and horses.

“Anything that has to do with a horse I’ve done it,” she said.

And some of it can be challenging.

“I deal a lot with troublemaker horses,” Watkins said.

“You just get used to being patient and working it out and you really learn what it means to take one step forward and five steps backwards.

“Our saying is we don’t whisper things to horses, we let them speak to us, so you understand the horse.”

Sara Watkins
Sara Watkins

Naturally she has a special bond with her 12-year-old sorrel quarter horse named Dew Dreams Impress and nicknamed Vista — after the street where the family resides — whose birth she witnessed.

Vista is currently under lease to another rider while Watkins is attending Eastern Florida but they will be re-united after graduation.

Watkins is pursuing a major in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation with the goal of becoming a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer and after graduating from Eastern Florida will decide whether to enter the FWC academy or continue her education at the University of Florida.

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