Representing Belmore Equestrian, a riding center in Rochester, three Western Washington girls placed in the top ten for their categories during the National Dressage Finals of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, according to a news release.
The youngest and highest-placing was Kayla Sneller, a 12-year-old Centralia Middle School student. Earning sixth place in the future beginner dressage category, Kayla joined teammates Sammy Hoisington, 16, of Olympia and Savvy Bassett, 14, of Port Orchard, who both placed eighth in their categories, junior varsity novice class and junior varsity beginner dressage, respectively. All three competed against dozens of other riders from across the country for the finals, which were held from April 27 to April 30 in North Carolina.
Dressage is a type of horse riding that falls under the category of “equitation,” and is meant to show the utmost calm, subtle communication and coordination between horse and rider. Athletes are meant to ride by tracing a predetermined pattern, changing speeds seamlessly between points.
“This isn’t your traditional horse show or equestrian sport. The IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) format utilizes a unique draw-based competition format where the riders draw from the horses deemed appropriate for their assigned class and ride that horse in their class,” said Connie Riker, Belmore Equestrian Owner. “IEA riders must develop their catch-riding skills as very little to no warm-up practice is allowed before each class. All tack and horses are provided by the show host. In this show format, it is all about the rider’s equitation and skill which is why this format levels the playing field; it is not about the horse, it is about the rider.”
Riders between grades four to 12 convened at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina for the competition, according to a news release from Belmore Equestrian. Participants represented the top riders from nearly 1,500 middle and high schools across the county, and over 14,600 total members overall.
According to the release, Belmore Equestrian provides the horsemanship program for “Time With Tails,” a nonprofit that focuses on providing excellence in horsemanship education, incorporating both riding and horse knowledge and care. The center is in Rochester, but team members are welcome from any location or school. Many of the participants are home-schooled and most are from Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Pierce and Kitsap counties, the release stated.
