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RisingStar NESTOR GONZALEZ
AGE: 35
YEARS IN INDUSTRY: 17
DISCIPLINE FOCUS: English/Hunt
Proudest Accomplishment
Winning the 2022 APAHA Rising Star award is definitely one accomplishment I’m most proud of. It’s a great privilege to be honored in this way amongst my peers and friends.
5-YEAR GOAL
I plan on doing what I’m doing! I love what I do, and I hope to still be doing this in the next five years and longer.
Secret To Success
I would have to say the owners. The trust they give me to help make their dreams come true and to bring out the best in their horses has allowed me to accomplish what I have. Without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.
MENTOR/BEST ADVICE
It’s hard to pull out one person; everyone I’ve worked with and interacted with in this industry has provided me with guidance in some way. One piece of advice that I’ve been told and that I still follow is to keep working hard!
Hard Lesson
Probably just not trusting myself or my own instincts.
INDUSTRY PROS & CONS
I think it’s very exciting seeing the programs growing and all of the excitement surrounding the money classes associated with them. What concerns me is many of the local “smaller” shows that we all used to love are getting too small to run.
Personal Motivation
My daughter Bella! I work hard for her future, and the joy that the Arabian horse brings her keeps me inspired.
Industry Contributions
My whole life is dedicated to this industry because without it, I wouldn’t have what I do. There is no “outside” because this is my everything; and I think that’s what I contribute most. I do my best to keep the industry growing and to keep the owners excited to keep doing this.
BEST ADVICE TO BEGINNING, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
The same advice I’ve received … keep working hard, but also listen and continue learning. You can never stop learning.
