Meet Taylor Drake
While I was interviewing Ben Asselin at the September 2021 Spruce Meadows Master’s tournament, I had the pleasure of meeting his girlfriend, the stunningly beautiful Taylor Drake.
Taylor Drake is a former Stampede Princess finalist, attends college in Calgary and has begun working for Spruce Meadows during their tournaments.
“Coming up to the season, they were very understaffed, they were looking for people, and I kind of had the opportunity to slide in there,” Taylor said with a smile. “Linda, Ben’s aunt, reached out and asked if I wanted a job, which I thought was going to be a huge opportunity. At the time I was working as a hostess at Mercato downtown - I wasn’t the biggest fan of that job so this was a lot more enticing! I’ve also grown up with horses and my parents used to take me to Spruce Meadows. I remember saying I’d volunteer here. I always tell people, don’t tell Linda that!”
Taylor is in the Hospitality program at SAIT but feels she’s learning more here at Spruce Meadows.
And how did the gorgeous couple meet?
“I met Ben through a couple girlfriends. I actually used to work as a groom when I was about 14 or 15 and two girls I worked with were riders. I became best friends with them. A few years passed, we still stay in touch, and they invite me out to a birthday party…that’s where I met Ben."
Taylor described herself as being familiar with horses but not really part of the show jumping world herself. “Do you stay in Calgary while he’s off competing?” I wanted to know.
“That’s been the silver lining of Covid,” Taylor said. Over the past year, she has accompanied Ben to Thermal, Kentucky, and Michigan, while continuing her studies online. She’s gotten to know many of the other riders on the circuit and said the whole experience has been super fun.
Thanks for chatting Taylor!