PAUL BURKARTH Award

Sophia Shaposhnikova: (at left) From the first time she sat in a saddle at High Hopes in the Summer of 2021 until now, Sophia has embodied what it means to be an equestrian. The communication between Sophia and her horse, Joe, is subtle and gentle but extremely effective. Sophia’s ability to read and empathize with her horse has created a special bond between the two of them. Watching Sophia from one week to the next, one thing is clear: she improves with every ride. It is a pleasure to watch Sophia’s progress and we look forward to the good things to come!