Giving Back Magazine November 2018 | Page 60

Equestrian DR. BEK JARZOMBEK Giddy Up Time M y name is Dr. Bek Jarzombek. I am an equestrian rider and a Doctor of Chiropractic for horses and riders. My personal story and experience with horses are the inspiration behind the creation of the 501(C) (3) nonprofit wellness charity, Giddy Up Time. Giddy Up Time provides mobile, concierge chiropractic care for young equestrian riders paying their own way, low income individuals, those working on the backside of the racetrack, and those owning rescue animals, OTTBs (off-the- track thoroughbred), and animals being rehomed. Dr. Bek Jarzombek I grew up in a cluster of towns in Virginia, known as the “Seven Cities” or “Hampton Roads”. They are situated on the southern border of the state, neighboring North Carolina. Suffice it to say there was a mix of beaches, metropolitan areas and farming. There was no lack of horses, barns, fields or trails. I caught the riding bug as a little girl. My family owned two horses for a short period of time, but the majority of my young riding years were spent ‘catch-riding’ other 60 GBSAN.COM | NOVEMBER 2018 people’s horses. I would ride anything anyone would let me get my hands on. I would often help with barn chores, muck stalls, scrub water troughs and help clean to earn my riding time. Little riding instruction was given, but the time I spent on my own with the horses made me the horsewoman I am today. This included rescue horses, OTTBs, young horses, gaited horses and retired horses. I quickly gained experience with many different breeds, disciplines, ages, and personalities. My happy place for riding was often traversing trails in the woods or galloping through the corn, cotton and tobacco fields of Virginia. This was fun for a time, but as the years went on, I wanted to show horses. I became very knowledgeable about riding, the equestrian sport, horse showing, horse racing and the large expenses associated with all of it. My family was not able to afford the luxury of horse showing. However, when I went away to college, I tried out for the equestrian team, who provided horses for us to ride. My riding ability increased but