Ojai Valley School’s competitive equestrian team fought its way through one of the longest shows they have ever competed in.
The Ojai Valley School Equestrian team had an IEA show that took place in Vista, California, on October 12th, taking reserve champion the first day and champion the second. The team showed high resilience and strength that they didn’t know they had.
Violet Drake and Mia Linsmeier, the co-captains of the equestrian team, are proud of the team’s sportsmanship and how well everyone overcame the long days. Some things that the team improved on from the last show were their enhanced positivity and their willingness to help others.
One person who stood out to the instructor, Katrine Nielsen, was Kyla Ditchfield for her ability to overcome obstacles that she wasn’t expecting and for keeping her composure.
“Kyla Ditchfield. She had a beautiful first class, but the horse she drew for her second class had some habits she had never experienced before,” said Ms. Nielsen.
The adaptation is one of the biggest strengths that the team showed that weekend, according to Ms. Nielsen. The adjustment to riding different horses to bring out their best qualities is something that the team showed great strength in.
“Riding welfare isn’t just about being fair on a social-emotional level, but adapting to ride in the way that brings out the best in them, which can be very different horse to horse,” said Ms. Nielsen.