Upper Moreland Equestrian Collects Competition Awards

Upper Moreland High School senior Anna Smith has dedicated a big part of her life to horses equestrianism. She spends a large amount of her time practicing, grooming and competing. Recently she was rewarded for her hard work and dedication.

Smith received the Junior Novice championship at the Geneso Valley Driving and Riding Club awards banquet after finishing in the top 10 of Area 1 and fourth overall in Area 2 for 2012.

Smith has been riding since she was about 5 years-old and now she has the credentials and awards to show for it. She and her horse, a former racing thoroughbred named Sir August Rush, have competed all over the east coast.

"I was the highest from my level in this area," Smith said. "It's an overall score. I compete in events across Pennsylvania, southern Pennsylvania, Unionville, in New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland an New York.

"Even if it's just a ribbon, it's a symbol of all my hard work," Smith added.

Smith's dedication to her horse is almost like a part-time job. She drives an hour every day after school to the barn in Durham Creek Farm to take care of it, and then drives an hour back to get her schoolwork done.

But the work and travel is secondary when it has to do with her true passion. Smith said she fell in love with horses at a young age when her mom took her to the June Fete where she was first introduced to these animals.

During competitions, Smith participates in eventing, with disciplines of dressage, stadium jumping and cross country. Her favorite is cross-country.

"It's invigorating because you're out going really fast and jumping over fences," Smith said. "It gives you a sense of freedom. It's a feeling like no other galloping with your horse. There is nothing better than that."

Generally there are about 10 to 20 other competitors at a given competition where they are judged on jumping and timing. The competition season lasts from about the beginning of spring until the end of September.

Smith has earned various awards throughout her competing career and hopes to continue riding in the future.

"I hope to do it for the rest of my life," Smith said. "It's something that I've always done and I can't see not doing it."