Donna Cheek is a name that deserves to be recognized far beyond equestrian circles. A pioneer in show jumping, she made history in 1982 as the first Black person to represent the United States in international show jumping at the American Junior Show Jumping Championship in Mexico City. Her journey is one of perseverance, talent and an unwavering determination to finding your place in a sport that often feels out of reach. 

This year, during Women’s History Month, I wanted to honor someone special on my podcast and social media. Reaching out to Cheek set the stage for a conversation I had longed dreamed of having. Our conversation was more than an interview. It was a real moment of reflection, and a chance to connect across generations and recognize just how far we’ve come—and how far we still have to go. For me, Cheek isn’t just part of history.  She is living proof that what feels impossible can be done. She carved out a path where there wasn’t one, and I now find myself walking through a door she opened.

Cheek grew up in Philadelphia, the youngest of five children. With four older brothers, she was surrounded by games and sports from a young age and was an extremely competitive child. She began taking riding lessons in Claremont, California, with a trainer named Mary O’Rourke when she was 7 years old, without a clear idea of where they might take her. 

“I just, you know, lived in the moment,” she told me.  “I never had the idea or concept of where I was going to go.”  

Her upbringing played a significant role in shaping her resilience and work ethic. Her father,  Dr. Donald K. Cheek, a professor at California Polytechnic State University with a doctorate in psychology, was also a competitive athlete who ran track.  He instilled in her the mental and physical foundation that would help shape her career. 

“We were running hills, and I did that very early with my father,” she said. “He and I are very much alike, and he raised me up in his image, because that’s what I was hungry for.”  

This rigorous training and mental conditioning would serve her well in the demanding world of show jumping. Her work ethic and mental toughness led her into the top levels of show jumping. In 1997, in honor of her accomplishments and contributions to the sport, Donna was inducted into the Women’s Sports Hall of Distinction. But accolades didn’t erase the uphill climb. Despite her success, she discussed with me the difficulties of competing in a sport where opportunities are often limited by financial constraints.

“I’ve had a love-hate relationship with my sport,” she admitted. “Loving the horses, but hating the fact that money is what prevents me from doing all that’s in my mind.” 

That statement hit home for me. Participating in equestrian sport is one of the most transformative experiences I’ve ever had, but it’s also one of the most financially demanding. For riders without generational wealth or sponsorship backing, staying in the game takes creativity, grit and relentless determination.

There have been many pioneers within this sport. But on the day I interviewed Donna, I recognized that I stand on the shoulders of giants—trailblazers who paved the way for riders like me to even step into the ring. It was a humbling experience to sit across from one of those giants and hear her story.  

We talked about how we got started, the obstacles we’ve faced, and the reasons we keep getting back in the saddle, both literally and figuratively.  As a Black rider, being able to interview Donna was deeply impactful.  Her journey is one of both individual triumph and group empowerment. 

Although Donna has now retired from the sport, she is committed to helping young athletes.  Her book, “The Power of Mental Toughness for Young Athletes Simplified,” gives practical tools for navigating the pressure of competition.   

Prior to my scheduled interview with Donna, something happened that brought everything full circle. The elementary school I graduated from six years ago posted on Instagram a photo of a second-grader who had written her “change-maker” assignment about me. She had never met me and didn’t even know I had attended the same elementary school.  She was dressed in a blue show coat, tan breeches and paddock boots. She even braided her hair like mine.

I was so moved that I dropped everything and drove to the school to meet her. Walking back through those familiar hallways felt surreal. When we met, her eyes lit up. We sat in the principal’s office together to read her change-maker report, and I was blown away by the care and detail she put into telling my story. Before I left, she asked if I could visit her classroom, which was filled with second-graders dressed as the various change-makers they researched: Barak Obama, Cesar Chavez and Frida Kahlo, to name a few. When the students learned that I once sat where they sit now, the energy in the room changed: I wasn’t just someone on paper anymore. I was living proof that their dreams were possible. When I returned home and logged onto Zoom for my interview with Donna, I carried that feeling with me. I had just given that little girl what I was about to receive myself—encouragement, visibility and a deeper belief in what’s possible.

After meeting that young girl and reflecting on my conversation with Donna, I began thinking more deeply about the importance of representation, especially for kids who may not know the equestrian sport exists for them. As a student at the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in African American studies and minoring in film and TV, I’ve come to realize that storytelling is a very powerful tool. The stories we tell, and the stories we choose to pass down, help shape what others believe is possible. 

I was reminded by my interview with Donna that progress is not linear. My story is not just mine. It is a thread in a much bigger tapestry. Our own paths are braided with the experiences, hardships and victories of our predecessors. They are more than just anecdotes. History isn’t just something we read about. It lives through people and shows up in conversations like the one we shared. Stories aren’t just about the past, they are maps for the future.

I will always be grateful to Donna for making space for me. I will never forget the young girl who reminded me why that space matters. And, I will keep working to make sure the next generation knows they belong here too. 

Zoie Brogdon is a Los Angeles native and a second-year student at the University of California, Los Angeles. She was first featured in the Feb. 22, 2021, issue of The Chronicle of the Horse in the article “Zoie Brogdon: From Compton Jr. Posse to Endless Possibilities,” by Tori Repole. Since then, she has earned numerous accolades in show jumping, including individual children’s gold at the 2021 Markel/USHJA Zone 9 and 10 Jumper Team Championships and reserve champion at the 2021 Marshall & Sterling/USHJA National Championships. Find her on YouTube or Instagram @iamzoienoelle.