Galloping through the course, she and her horse are one as they effortlessly glide over the various jumps and obstacles. Nearing the final jump, they take one last leap in the air, successfully clearing the obstacle and completing the course in personal record time. All of their hard work and dedication has finally paid off.
Senior Libby Corvin, junior Kiera Sullivan, and sophomore Sarah Loftstrom have all been riding for over eight years. Corvin and Sullivan both ride at Half Halt Farms in Martinez, while Loftstrom rides at DeVito Equestrian Center in Walnut Creek. Practicing at least four days a week, two to four-and-a-half hours a day, riding is a major aspect of their lives.
Sullivan, who has been riding since she was eight, said she has always loved horses and convinced her parents to let her ride at a local barn when she was younger.
“After doing weekly lessons for a couple of years, I got my own horse and started competing [nationally],” Sullivan said.
Sullivan has participated in competitions throughout the country, in places such as Temecula, California and Whitefish, Montana. This summer, she is aiming to compete at the NAYRC (North American Young Rider Championships), which will be held at a horse park in Kentucky.
Currently, Sullivan competes in three-day eventing, which consists of dressage, cross-country jumping, and show jumping. According to usef.org (United States Equestrian Foundation), the object of dressage is to display a horse’s natural obedience and responsiveness by combining agility and elegance. Commonly known as horse ballet, dressage is a test of how well a horse responds to its rider. Cross-country jumping is a test of endurance, the object being to complete a course and jump over various obstacles such as logs and water, in the fastest possible time. Also a timed event, show jumping requires riders to jump over a series of obstacles in a particular order with the fewest penalties.
Sullivan said her favorite feeling is coming off of a cross-country course.
“Knowing that you completed [the course] with you and your horse working as one, knowing that you trust him, and he trusts you, is just a good feeling,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan, Corvin, and Loftstrom all said they share a strong bond with their horses. Corvin said her horse, Clifford, is talented, goofy, and overall fun to be around.
“He likes to stick his tongue out and make fart noises,” Corvin said.
Corvin said her mom, who also rode horses when she was her age, convinced her to try riding out, and it just stuck. Corvin said riding has taught her a lot about patience and perseverance, and is something she can depend on when life gets rough.
“Riding has been my rock when everything in my life changes,” Corvin said. “It has been my place to clear my head and decompress.’
Loftstrom, who competes in show jumping, said she has always loved horses and riding runs in her family. Loftstrom has had her horse, Pampa, for about five years.
“Pampa is mellow and very athletic,” Loftstrom said. “We’ve kind of grown up with each other. We know each other very well.”
Sullivan has two horses, Habanera, whose nickname is Hanna, and Northern Lights, whose nickname is Juneau.
“I would say I have a stronger emotional bond with [Juneau] because I’ve known her for so long and I’ve been the only human to own her for a long time,” Sullivan said. “I’m still getting to know Hanna, who is my really competitive horse.”
Sullivan said through riding, she has become more independent and self-sufficient.
“I never have a second to myself anymore, but it’s a consequence I’m willing to take because I love having a social life, doing well in school, and riding,” Sullivan said.
