1,500 Miles to Freedom — Bring Him Home to Lucy

Hi, I’m Lucy Custard. I’m 15 years old, and I’ve been riding horses since I was 12. My journey in equestrian sports hasn’t been easy—but it’s helped me grow stronger and be braver, and now I'm more determined than ever.

Last year, with help from so many of you, I was able to buy my first off-track thoroughbred, his name is Freedom. That support meant everything! We trained together in the Dominican Republic with the goal of competing together there for years to come, and it changed my life. But not long after, my family and I experienced serious pressure from the barn that I called home - it included alot of sadness, being excluded, and feeling isolated. I lost my teammates. I left my school and I lost my confidence. So my family and I decided to leave everything behind so that I could heal and start over.

We moved to Jackson, Tennessee to be closer to family and to help me figure things out with horse riding and school. I was accepted into Madison Academic Magnet High School and also offered a spot on the Mid-South IEA team. IEA is a club-level equestrian organization that is focused entirely on building riders up while teaching equitation fundamentals, fitness, competition rituals, and teamwork— it is an exciting program for kids like me who are still finding our way and may want to participate at the collegiate level.

But...Freedom is still over 1,500 miles away and in training with my first-ever coach in Santo Domingo. When things got toughest for me, Freedom was there and we got through my isolation together. He’s helped me become who I am, and now I want him to be part of this new beginning too. So we’re launching the Miles for Freedom campaign -- $11 = 1 mile and my goal is to get Freedom over 1,500 miles back to me.

Every mile you donate helps us - here's how:

I’ve also applied for scholarships through IEA to help lower the cost. But I need your help to close the gap. Your support gives me more than miles—it gives me courage, belonging, and the chance to keep chasing my dream.

Please consider sponsoring 1 mile ($11), 5 miles ($55), or however many miles you can give. Every gift brings us closer.

Thank you for helping my family bring Freedom home!

With love and determination, Lucy Custard