The preparation, the stress, the anxiety, and finally the thrill of a unanimous victory, were all contributing factors to what was definitely the best week of my life. A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to compete in the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horseshow in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where I won the highest honor in my division, Classic Equitation World Champion. At the horseshow, there were approximately 1,500 horses and more than 2,000 riders ready to compete. The experience was one I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I’m not sure if it was luck, or just a stroke of fate, but that week turned out to be a total success. At horseshows, riders compete in classes, a term comparable to a game or match for other sports. My division, Classic Equitation, is judged by the rider’s position in the saddle, overall skill, and the responsiveness of the horse to the rider. While in the ring, each rider performs every gait, way of moving, both directions around the ring. Every rider is going at the same time, so it is really important for the riders to make sure the judges see them. My first class seemed to come so quickly that I hardly felt ready to trot into the arena. Nevertheless, I made my grand entrance on time; in fact, I was the first one into the arena. After a grueling competition against thirteen other girls from the top of my division, I won my Grand National Classic Equitation 14-17 class with a little mare named Noble Viking’s Echo. It was a thrill to be the one trotting into the winners circle to meet my trainer, Nikki Rae Woodworth, and have my picture taken with my ribbon and medal. The cheering in the stands was so loud it echoed off the walls of the arena.

After a spectacular week of socializing and hard work combined, it was finally time for the World Championship competition. The World Championship Class consists of all of the riders from the Grand National 14-17 Class, as well as the riders from the thirteen and under age group who placed in their Grand National Class. With all of the confidence I could possibly muster I trotted into the ring and had a picture-perfect class in the eyes of the judges, which earned me the top honors. By a unanimous decision of all three judges, they called my name as the Classic Equitation World Champion. The adrenaline rush was so strong that I was shaking, as was my trainer when she met me in the winner’s circle. For the second time in the week, I had my picture taken in the winner’s circle, but this time, with a garland of roses around my horse’s neck. I am the first Grand National and World Champion rider that my trainer has sent into the ring to victory. The pride was shared by both of us as I trotted out of the ring with my championship ribbon and the roses. 

The excitement, after my win, was insatiable and is still unreal to think about even now that I am home. It is still sinking in that I won the World Championship, and thus achieved one of my lifetime goals. The trip was definitely worth the effort and preparation. That week far exceeded any hope in my wildest dreams of winning such an esteemed honor for my passion: horseback riding.