Equestrians Show True Heart, Win Ribbons At National Competition

LONG VALLEY, N.J. – From Long Valley to national podium, some of the area’s finest equestrians have made their mark on the sport.

The True Heart Stables IEA Equestrian Team, lead by Long Valley’s Torri Dragos, made its way to the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) National Finals in late April at the famed Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

Some 12,000 IEA competitors across the country competed to qualify for the annual event.

“Our team is a very dedicated group of young riders. I am most proud of their strong work ethic and their love of the horses they learn on,” Dragos said.

And the riders made the most of their opportunity.

Long Valley’s own Cora Gartelmann took seventh place overall, and Amanda Tom took third place overall. The team, only in its second year, took home more than 10 ribbons from the national competition.

True Heart Stables is located in Tewksbury and trains raiders from throughout northwestern New Jersey.

Photos Courtesy Torri Dragos