By Abby Chong, Co-Sports Editor
Hurdling over obstacles and bounding across the riding ring, junior and equestrian Izzy Bolton sits atop her horse as she competes in a horseback riding competition.
Since she was 7 years old, Bolton has participated in horseback riding. She trains every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at Out of Reach Farm in West Chester. In addition to practice, Bolton participates in national competitions. Last year, she won Horse of the Year in the junior hunter 3’3” category.
“I just liked horses as a kid, and I didn’t like soccer and the other things that I was doing,” Bolton said. “So, we just tried horseback riding, and I really liked it.”
Bolton got her current horse Dream HF, known in the barn as Moose, two summers ago. Since then, she has built a strong bond with Moose, which plays a crucial role in their success during competitions.
“Horses have strong personalities. They all act very different and have different mannerisms. It’s super fun working with Moose specifically because he’s so great. He’s such a good horse — a total saint. Whenever we’re showing, he’s very mature,” Bolton said. “Honestly, I like him because when I’m not doing my stuff, he kind of calls me out. If I’m not doing what I’m supposed to, he’ll get a little pissed. He won’t do anything bad, but you can see in videos and stuff, he’ll express that he’s angry. He’s like ‘Girl, we gotta get it together.’”
Each competition typically has three jumping rounds where riders and horses jump over obstacles and one round on the flat where judges evaluate their walk, trot and canter. Judges score the rider seperately for each round, and the rider may receive a ribbon based on their points, Then, the competition totals the points and awards a champion.
“There was a big show during the summer in Saugerties, New York that I went to. It was one of the first big shows that I was doing with my horse Moose that I’d gotten a couple months before,” Bolton said. “We just went in and put down a really nice course. All our jumps were really good, and he was very good. I was doing everything that I should be, so we got champion in that.”
Even though horseback riding can sometimes be scary, Bolton believes that everybody should try the sport at least once. She encourages beginner riders to not be afraid to fall and fail.
“Sometimes it can definitely be scary because horses are pretty big. You’ll usually start on a pony or something smaller and more manageable. You really have to just have some sort of confidence about it. I’ve fallen off loads of times. It happens, but you have to get up and keep going,” Bolton said “I totally recommend it. It’s very fun, and it’s honestly good for your mental health too. If you fall off, just keep trying.”
Abby Chong can be reached at [email protected].
