HARTLAND, Wis. — Today was the first horse show for Elizabeth Wold, age 9, at the Knollwood Farm Ltd horse show. Elizabeth has been riding for just under a year and like many young girls, loves horses. She was terrified to complete a horse show, but had decided to try it.

After many practice rides, the day finally came. Sadly, Wisconsin weather rained out the first weekend and she had to wait a whole 7 days to compete against her peers.

Today was the day. She was scared, excited and could not wait to try this new sport. Her instructors were all there, helping her through her nerves. Helping her understand what was next and when her class would be.

Wold rode in three classes. The first was a maiden pleasure class, the second the maiden equitation, the third the maiden walk-trot championship. She rode her favorite horse, Sparky, for all three classes.

Having great rides for all three classes, she finished with fourth in her first two classes and third in the championship.

After her first class, when asked, “how are you feeling?” She responded with, “that was so fun! I want to do another show!!!” The show was judged by Kelsey Nicole Smith (a very decorated saddleseat champion herself), who told Elizabeth, “you have a great sense of balance. Keep your shoulders back and keep working. You will do great things.”

As a parent, I could not be more proud of her. She put herself out there today and thanks to the kind employees at Knollwood Farm, the fabulous school horses, all the helpers that make this event happen, Elizabeth is a very confident young athlete today and into the future.

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