When Bellamy resident Donna Jacobson traveled to Rio de Janeiro this past summer for the 2016 Olympics, little did she know the friendship she would make there would help improve her business at home and provide a unique opportunity to other horse enthusiasts in the community.

Jacobson, who owns D&N Stables and DNC Sport Horses off Belroi Road, and has enjoyed teaching riding lessons for many years, said her journey into the Olympics began in 2010 when she volunteered with the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. “Because of the work I put in there, they sent my name to the Olympic Committee in Brazil to see if I would be able to volunteer there,” Jacobson said.

She said it took her about a year and a half to receive a letter saying she had been accepted as a volunteer for the 2016 Olympics. “I went through quite a few trials and tribulations,” she added.

Once she arrived in Brazil, Jacobson started volunteer work as a crossing guard, but after ...