do the equitation and then jumpers, and she loves fox hunting. We’ve done every- thing together.”
Teammate Lauren Franco The 2014 World Finals were held at the Adequan Global Dressage Forum in Wellington, Florida. It was the first time in more than ten years that the finals were held in the United States. Lauren Franco helped organize the finals by arranging for owners to lend their horses for use by the student riders. Lauren competes in hunter/jumper
competitions for USHJA Zone 10 and has represented the United States at multiple AIEC competitions, including a Nations Cup competition in Germany in 2014. She was introduced to the program by her friend Sarah Pollack at an Emerg- ing Athletes program. She suggests that
interested riders should be confident catch riding at 1.10 meters and comfortable performing at least second level dressage movements.
The Talented Makayla Lizzie Fisch is an instructor at Sweet Briar, teach- ing riding classes at all levels and coaching the IHSA Team. She has no involvement with the AIEC program, but works with Makayla Benjamin regularly. “Makayla is obviously a fantastic rider,” she says.
“She’s smart, thoughtful and very much a horse person—she always thinks of the horse first. She works hard and shows up for every practice. She also helps out and cares for the horses as much as she can. I’d say she has a gift: horses like her and trust her, and she gives them confidence. I’ve seen her get on all kinds of horses, in all kinds of situa- tions, and they absolutely melt when she gets on them. She has a gift of making them feel sure of themselves in all situations.” Makayla is the first student that Lizzie has had
TOP: The students line up in Marburg. BOTTOM: Makayla Benjamin, winner of the jumping division.
very talented horses! The atmosphere of the competi- tions is my favorite part. Everyone is extremely fun and supportive, and I’ve met some of my best friends from all around the world. We call ourselves an ‘AIEC family’ and that it is so true.” The 19-year-old says that she has always been a rider. “My mom put me on a horse when I was just two weeks old! We have a barn at home and my mom rides too—she used to
16 May/June 2016
take part in the AIEC. “It sounds like it’s a great program. I’d imagine that seeing Makayla succeed
will get more American riders interested, which I think is great for them,” she remarks. While Makayla is not planning to work with horses
professionally, she hopes to stay involved in riding and wants to stay an amateur at least until she’s out of college. “I defi- nitely want to stay involved in the horse world, but as far as making it a career, my major is mathematical economics with engineering and business minors,” she says. At Sweet Briar, where she is a member of the equestrian
team, she rides the school’s horses—usually a chestnut Warmblood gelding named Dorado. Horses keep her busy
Equnews
Jacki Dunt
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