“My name is Kristin Mangum and I am writing on behalf of Julia Babington. I am the owner and head trainer of Highland Grove Stables, operating out of Waterford, Virginia. I have had the pleasure of working with Julia as her equestrian coach since the beginning of 2023.
From the first day I started working with Julia it was clear to me that the potential for this young athlete was endless. As a trainer and coach there are qualities in a student I look for when deciding if their riding goals match their potential and what kind of impact they will make on our team. After nearly 25 years working in this sport as a professional it was obvious to me, she has what it takes and would make a positive impact on those around her. I was not wrong. She continues to motivate and inspire us with her dedication, work ethic, competitive edge and compassion for her horses. Julia is a quiet, humble leader with immense mental strength. There is absolutely zero quit in her and when the going gets tough, Julia gets tougher. She will rise to every occasion and only shines brighter when the challenge is greater. Her success and growth over this last year has been proof of this, along with the admiration of those around her.
To say I’m excited to see what this young lady accomplishes in the future would be an understatement. I have been very fortunate to call myself her coach and have the opportunity to help develop an equestrian athlete such as Julia Babington.”
~ Kristin Mangum, Highland Grove Stables, [email protected]
“Julia is a driven, optimistic, and a truly kind individual. She perseveres through her work and has a strong work ethic much above her peers. She has a genuine love for learning and is quick to help others. Julia enjoys helping her peers in class whenever we do. Any guided and independent practice. She watches out for them and helps keep them on task. She is thoughtful and proactive about her learning and is quick to catch up on any missed material and asking ahead of time. She’s able to adapt and balance her academics along with her extracurriculars. Her level of maturity and sense of leadership have been above and beyond. She is pursuing and challenging herself for the upcoming school year with AP Chemistry and I look forward to what she’ll bring to the future ahead.”
~ Ms. Sunray Cho, Oakton High School Chemistry and Forensic Science Teacher