K e Long
Instructor: Leah Golladay # of years competing: 9
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE MEMORY IN SHOWING EQUITATION?
Last year at Youth Nationals, earning a top ten in both the UPHA and Saddle Seat Equitation 15-18. It was fun to compete against all the other talented riders!
HOW DO YOU HANDLE NERVES OR PRESSURE LEADING UP TO/DURING AN EQUITATION CLASS?
I am always a little nervous before a class, but I try not to stress too much because it doesn’t help anything. Once I get on my horse, the nervousness turns into excitement. During the class I try to focus on my form and placement, and not so much my nerves. I am always thrilled when I enter the arena!
WHAT ROLE DOES YOUR TRAINER PLAY IN HELPING YOU IMPROVE YOUR EQUITATION SKILLS?
Leah is constantly helping to improve my skills. ere are always things to work on to become a better equitation rider, and she reminds me of the things I need to correct. I appreciate all her help and support in making me the rider I am today.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN MASTERING EQUITATION, AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THEM?
You must believe in yourself to achieve the things you want. ere are always goals to set and things to get better at. Con dence has been something that has helped me in the ring.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING RIDERS LOOKING TO EXCEL IN EQUITATION?
e more challenging horses will help you become better, even if it doesn’t seem like it in the moment. Try not to get discouraged when something goes wrong but continue to give it your all. I would also say, although it takes a lot of determination and e ort to excel in equitation, the most important thing is to have fun while you’re showing, and not be too hard on yourself.
Audrey Bush
Instructor: Jolene Galvin & Taryn Lundquist # of years competing: 8
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE MEMORY IN SHOWING EQUITATION?
When I won my rst pair of roses in equitation at Scottsdale! I was so excited cheering on my older sister, Addie, in horse shows and that encouraged me to make goals!
HOW DO YOU HANDLE NERVES OR PRESSURE LEADING UP TO/DURING AN EQUITATION CLASS?
By listening to music before and walking my pattern over and over and over again in my head! It is similar to playing other sports; so much mental prep goes into it
WHAT ROLE DOES YOUR TRAINER PLAY IN HELPING YOU IMPROVE YOUR EQUITATION SKILLS?
She always is super supportive in helping walk my patterns and is super patient with me if I don’t understand something. ey both always give me good pep talks!
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN MASTERING EQUITATION, AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THEM?
e biggest challenge would be trying to keep your posture correct while trying to keep your horse together. I overcame this by doing multiple equitation lessons a week to get a feel for it, and also being made to wear weighted chaps.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING RIDERS LOOKING TO EXCEL IN EQUITATION?
Don’t give up! I felt very discouraged in the beginning not knowing what I was doing wrong, but I kept up with lessons and it started coming along!
AlexaGilbert
Instructor: Leah Golladay
# of years competing: 12
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE MEMORY IN SHOWING EQUITATION?
Trotting down the ramp at Region 12 is an unbeatable feeling!
HOW DO YOU HANDLE NERVES OR PRESSURE LEADING UP TO/DURING AN EQUITATION CLASS?
Blasting music while getting ready and messing around with friends!
WHAT ROLE DOES YOUR TRAINER PLAY IN HELPING YOU IMPROVE YOUR EQUITATION SKILLS?
Besides the actual coaching, knowing how much my trainers believe in me makes me work harder to always improve.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN MASTERING EQUITATION, AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THEM?
Taking it too seriously! We all put in so much work to be great eq. riders, that making one small mistake can be heartbreaking if you let it be. But I always remind myself that we are all doing this because it is fun and we love horses!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING RIDERS LOOKING TO EXCEL IN EQUITATION?
Have fun! You will never feel like you fully excelled unless you put the work in and have fun doing it.
2024 marks our 10th year since the inception of the Hollywood Toi Foundation with nearly in grants awarded!
The Foundation believes that youth riders are the future of the Arabian horse industry and creating the opportunity for more youth riders to compete will in turn create more opportunity, growth, and engagement for the industry as a whole.
