Deni Hird and Emily Goldberg
may be. Essentially, for my family and me, the Finals were probably the best,
first-time experience I’ve ever had competing. The experience was filled with ups, downs, and truly enhanced the ultimate love I have for riding, and my horse. I realized and grasped the concept that to compete successfully in the
Junior Hunter Division requires exceptional skill, precision, and practice; not to mention the heart and drive that every equestrian possesses to suc- ceed, and a four-legged partner that can perform. The National Junior Hunter Championship is essentially the culminating experience for those who compete throughout the year in this excellent and well-known divi- sion. The goal for any serious Junior Hunter rider is to qualify for Junior
Hunter Finals on either coast. This being said, to earn the opportunity to attend the Finals, following each year’s Junior Hunter finals the entire next year is spent working on earning that Championship or Reserve Championship, or that top-ten spot in a rider’s Zone that qualifies a horse to go. Two days for the finals seemed short to me at first; I mean I felt I
worked so hard all year to show a short two days. But after competing in my first (and last) Junior Hunter Finals, I felt that those two days were more than enough to test my skill in riding and horsemanship. The courses were challenging, and the competition was stiff. But that made me remember why I was there: I, as well as every other rider, worked incredibly hard in order get there. My horse, Solo, was amazing, and I met and befriended people that I
this important. But in hindsight, after competing in my first (and last) Junior Hunter Finals, those two days were more than enough to test my skill in riding and horsemanship. The courses were challenging, and the competition was stiff. But that made me remember why I was competing here: I, as well as every other rider, had worked incredibly hard for a year in order get there. I was ecstatic with my first round, but once finished with the course;
I realized that I knocked down a pole resulting in receiving scores that were not exactly what I intended, nor what I had hoped for. No matter, I still had an absolutely fabulous time! It was certainly like nothing I’ve ever done before. What it all came down to at the end
was; I cannot think of a greater event to remember my last Junior year of riding by. My horse, Solo, was amaz- ing; I am so very lucky and privileged to ride such a kind and athletic horse. And I met and befriended people that I probably wouldn’t know had a chance to know had it not been for the Finals. Although I can’t say that I’m excited for next year’s Finals, but I can say that I’m excited for my future in the equestrian sport, and I wish the best of luck to those going to the rest of the Finals next year, whoever they
Emily Goldberg & Solo
probably wouldn’t know had it not been for the Finals. Deni said that she was pretty nervous, but so excited, and once she was done, could not wait for next year with her mount, Freedom C. Essentially, the Finals were probably the best, first-time experience I’ve ever had, filled with ups, downs, and balanced by the ultimate love I have for riding, and my horse. At the end of this year, I will be leaving the Junior world for the new, uncharted A/O territory, but I am so lucky that I got experience that I did. I feel lucky and privileged that I was able to meet and compete with some of the top Junior Riders on the West coast. ◊
iJumpSports.com 35 |
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72