Professional Pathways Q&A with Tori Repole
Our premier feature is with artist and Global Programs Associate for JustWorld International (JWI), Tori Repole. Tori has worked as a journalist and show photographer with Noelle Floyd and Chronicle of the Horse, covering everything from Grand Prix show jumpers to Hyde Riding Academy in Jamaica. She is also committed to JWI’s mission to shatter the cycle of poverty for children and their families through the support of the equestrian community.
Helen Casteel, a member of SEE’s Leadership Team, sat down with Tori for the inaugural interview of our Professional Pathways Q&A series to explore her journey and the impact she’s making in the equestrian industry.
A fan-girl moment with the incredible Cynar VA during WEF 2017. Photo by Ashley Neuhof Photography.
What is your job title and give a brief description of your primary responsibilities.
Tori: I’m the Global Programs Associate at JustWorld International (JWI), which is a non-profit organization that works to shatter the cycle of poverty for children and their families through the support of the equestrian community. Our internal team is quite small, so I get to do a little bit of everything––from event planning to communications to working with our Ambassador Program and our four projects in Guatemala, Honduras, Cambodia, and the United States.
Even though JustWorld was founded by an equestrian, our mission isn’t centered around horses, which is ironic since we’re so active in the equestrian space. That said, our Ambassadors, donors, and greater audience are primarily equestrians, and it’s part of our mission to give them and the next generation of changemakers direct access to philanthropy.
What is your professional experience and how did you find your current career?
Tori: I’ve been a part of the Wellington community for the past eight years, but I had never heard of JustWorld prior to last February. I was introduced to the non-profit through a colleague and immediately resonated with the mission. It truly aligned with my values as a person and this deep desire I had to do meaningful work. I’ve learned and grown so much in my role here, and I’ve really gotten to build on the skillset I developed in my previous lives as a photographer and journalist.
Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run's Testify during WEF 2017. Photo by Tori Repole Photography.
I fell in love with photography when I worked at a barn. I would always take photos of the horses with my phone. This inspired me to buy a camera, and I took my first big-girl photographs in April 2016 when I went to Miami Beach to watch the Longines Global Champions Tour show.
The photos I took helped me land an internship at Noelle Floyd in January 2017, where I worked with and learned from Erin Gilmore. I went on to work at The Chronicle of the Horse from 2018-2021, writing articles and photographing shows.
Photo by Tori Repole Photography.
What excites you in your work with JWI and as an artist?
Tori: I remember the exact moment I felt total synchronicity with JustWorld’s mission. It happened last March during my first project visit to Pioneer Park Elementary School, which is about 40 minutes west of Wellington in Belle Glade, Florida. JustWorld’s U.S.-based project, StoryBook Treasures, has a relationship with the school, so we went to read to the students and brought along Matrix the horse, which was the coolest surprise for them.
They loved meeting Matrix and were very brave, especially since it was the first time most had seen a horse in person. Watching them interact with him––I fell in love with horses all over again and felt so grateful to be part of a moment that became a core memory for so many people. It was one of the most meaningful days of my life, and the students still ask about Matrix to this day.
As far as my artistry goes, that day really helped me reconnect with writing and photography, which I had put down for quite some time. I remember feeling so proud of the photos I took and the press release I wrote following the event. I felt joy toward writing and photography again for the first time in what seemed like forever.
Pioneer Park was quite healing and restorative for me in more ways than one. Moments like these—where I get to capture the raw energy and spirit of a moment—bring everything full circle. They remind me of why I first picked up a pen and camera.
What are your long-term goals?
Photo by Tori Repole Photography.
Tori: I’ve never really been a woman with a plan. I kind of just feel my way through life and give my all to whatever I feel divinely called to. Ultimately, who knows––the world is my oyster, and I’m in a season of life where nothing feels impossible or unattainable. The pathway before me rarely has the greatest visibility, but I’ve never felt more powerful or capable of tackling whatever awaits me. I’m peak Tori right now, and the cherry on it all is that I feel so safe and at home within myself–– the true accomplishment.
If I had to commit to a goal, I’d say this––I worked pretty hard in my 20s and built a foundation that is proving invaluable over time, but I didn’t really have a lot of fun or spend a great amount of time just laying out in the sun. So, my long-term goals are to have more fun, travel more, and allow myself to enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Regarding work and career, I’ve grown to accept and find solace in knowing that I can always bank on my talent and work ethic. That isn’t changing, and I’ve let go of any scarcity mindset around my ability to cultivate success. So now, I can just work on having more fun and letting down the non-existent hair on my head.
Are there any professionals that are people of color in the equestrian industry who have influenced you?
Tori riding Poppy in Kingston, Jamaica. Photo by Monique Thomas.
Tori: When I lived in Jamaica a few years ago, I was able to connect with a great lot of people through the Caymanas Polo Club right outside of Kingston. Julian Hyde is one of those people. He’s a show jumper and riding instructor doing amazing work building his own Hyde Riding Academy, coaching the next generation of Jamaican equestrians, and working hard to pursue his upper-level riding goals.
I first met Julian when I visited Jamaica in 2018 and wanted to write a profile on him for The Chronicle of the Horse. The following year, when I moved to Jamaica, I got to know him more as I spent a lot of time at the barn––sometimes riding, but mostly just hanging out with fellow horse junkies.
Julian runs a very warm and inclusive program, and it was great being around other people of color who love horses. As someone who has spent a significant amount of time covering equestrian’s Olympic disciplines and often seeing the human-horse connection through an elitist lens, the equestrian scene in Jamaica forced me to remember that, in every corner of the world, people love and have access to horses. Horses really are for the people, and those of us who love them do what we can to make it work.
Is there anything additional you’d like to share with a person of color interested in equestrian focused art and journalism?
Photo by Tori Repole Photography.
Tori: Absolutely. If you’re an artist, you are inherently in a position to be more than just one thing. To live as many different lives as you want. Photography and writing have opened a lot of different avenues for me. So, if you are interested in journalism, for example, get started by writing about what inspires you. What you’re drawn to or feel curious toward.
You should explore your artistry without feeling like you need to have an end goal or that there needs to be a reward to justify your service and involvement. Remember that everyone struggles. Just approach your work and curiosities with pure intentions, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Want to follow Tori’s journey? Follow her on Instagram!
The Professional Pathways Q&A series is sponsored by Mythic Landing Enterprises, LLC (MLE).
MLE is dedicated to helping businesses thrive with expert services in communications, marketing, business management, event planning, and more. Whether you're a small startup or managing a larger organization, MLE offers the tools and support to help your business succeed.
Strides for Equality Equestrians is always open to additional opportunities for equitable inclusion within all equestrian sports. If you’d like to be involved, get in touch with SEE by emailing stridesforequality@gmail.com.
