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“Uptight? I didn’t even think twice about it. I thought of it like a show. I needed to get ‘nine’ movement so the horses would sell.”


it has been true: sometimes I’ve wanted to do something and it didn’t work out, but later I got another opportunity that I otherwise couldn’t have taken advantage of. Disappointment leads to better things in the end.” Ironically Riana flew in and out of Bremen, the German


city where her father Ray will soon undergo back surgery necessary after a debilitating accident at work. A Class A professional truck driver, Ray was pinned under a one ton ramp that slipped off his tractor trailer. Echoing her daughter’s philosophy, Kerri says, “No one wanted to operate on him because it was so risky. Things happen for a reason—I don’t know yet what that reason is, except that it has given us time to research a better way. It’s not over yet, but we’re getting close.” “Ray used to go to all the horse shows with Riana and


her younger sister Rissa,” Kerry continues.” For me the shows and horses are therapeutic. Escaping into the horse world takes me away from the day to day. Every time we go to a show we think, ‘this is so awesome.’ I know it helps my girls a lot. It keeps them out of trouble. They’re great, hard working kids. They help Sue and Sue helps us. It’s a win win.” For Briana’s first time on that side of the world, on her own, her only concern had been that her luggage


wouldn’t make it. “I still can’t believe I rode in Germany! And to have it be so successful is amazing. And I made it back alive. I came home happy. I love what I do!” The auction experience has added a very attractive


feather to her cap and has added fuel to her drive toward representing the United States in the ultimate show—the Olympics. As if that vision is not large enough, her upbeat spirit continues to grow as she formulates a plan. Why not on Dax, a three-year-old Oldenburg by Donnerschlag? He was home bred by Sue and is now owned by Kathy Van Camp of Atherton. Riana will train him under Sue’s mentorship. The stars were aligned to make the auction experience


a chance of a lifetime for Riana. Maybe they will be aligned for the fulfillment of her future dreams and goals. The name Riana has Welsh roots and means “great queen.” It’s highly doubtful that Riana will some day become crowned royalty; however, more great things are no doubt in store for this dedicated young rider.


Warmbloods Today 113


© JAK Wonderley


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