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Riding Against the Odds: Meet Nana Kakyir
From a childhood ride on a Ghanaian beach to breaking barriers as one of the few Black equestrians in the U.S., Nana Kakyiri is redefining what it means to belong in a sport that wasn’t built for her.
With Santiago, her “bolt of lightning” horse, Nana has found confidence, meditation, and a bond that transcends sport. But her journey hasn’t been easy—years of isolation, falls, and self-doubt shaped the resilience she now shares with a growing community of riders inspired by her.
By 2026, Nana aims to compete at 1.20m and eventually represent Ghana in the Olympics—all while advocating for inclusion and visibility for the next generation of Black equestrians. Her message? “The best thing you can do is be happy and succeed, whatever that looks like to you. Black success is a revolution.”
Discover her full story in Pet Candy Magazine – October 2025.
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