It all started with a viral social media challenge.
Abriana Johnson and Caitlin Gooch, the hosts of the Young Black Equestrians Podcast, were looking for other cowgirls to participate in the TikTok-inspired video montage “Don’t Rush Challenge” to make a splash online. So they reached out to their friends, and those friends reached out to their friends, and an all-women horse gal group text was born.
Creating the video, which spliced the scenes of multiple cowgirls together was fun, said Abriana. But it was the friendship that lasted after the social challenge that made it a meaningful connection.
“It’s one of those things where you never really know how to actively look for it,” she explained. “People don’t talk about how hard it is to make friends as an adult. Your friends in the horse industry can also be your competition as well… So to find a group of women who are all seeking that same kind of sisterhood…” It’s unique.
Since the text group’s inception in early 2020, the seven cowgirls have talked every day. They even gave themselves an official name: Black on Black Farms.
The group is made up of Caitlin and Abriana, Chanel Rhodes, Brittney Chambers, Erin Brown, Michelle Rosemond, and Brianna Brookins. Each member has a different story which lead them to horses and the equestrian industry.
“We talk every day. That doesn’t mean we’re doing think pieces every day,” Abriana described. “We’re asking how your day is going, or we’re learning from each other. We’ve grown our businesses together. They helped me seek out possibilities.”
For example, Chanel and Brittney were two of Abriana’s first web design clients in the horse industry. The group also helped Chanel officially launch her business, Mane Tresses, both with marketing and web design help, but also through moral support.
“We’re a huge support system for each other,” Chanel said. “We don’t compete with each other, we help each other. We all live in different parts of the U.S. and come from different backgrounds, but we never have a disagreement. They’ve helped me get through a whole lot.”
Despite the physical distance, helping each other meet their goals has brought them together. Abriana traveled to Texas to groom for Erin at a ApHC World Show. Michelle came to watch, too.
“We’re each in different parts of our journey,” Chanel described. “Maybe we’re not where we want to be, but we encourage each other to get there.”