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48 SIDELINES JULY 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE S I D E L I N E S J R

A Few Minutes with Junior Rider Meredith Darst

By Jan Westmark-Allan

Growing up with a mother who coached a college equestrian team to a national championship and who, year after year, has trained riders, horses and ponies to top national and local rankings might be intimidating for some children. But for Meredith “Maddy” Darst, having Mindy as her mother has only fueled her desire to be the best. “My mom is defnitely one of my equestrian idols,” Maddy said. At 13, Maddy’s riding career is flled with countless wins including championships at prestigious shows all across the country. Maddy set the pony ring on fre during the 2011 Winter Equestrian Festival, winning the circuit championship in the Medium Pony division and the Large Pony division. She then topped it all off by winning the WEF Top Hunter Rider award. “That was really exciting!” she said.

Maddy, a seventh grader, lives in Lebanon, Ohio, and rides at her family’s farm, Lochmoor Stables. “My whole family is involved in horses. My brother does jumpers, my sister trains and rides at our barn, my mom rides and trains and my dad rides also,” Maddy said.

Sidelines: Have you always liked riding?

MD: Yes, my mom put me on a horse when I was little and I really liked it. I’ve been riding ever since. I started with walk trot, cross rails, short stirrups, children’s, then started the small ponies when I was four or fve.

Sidelines: Who do you train with now?

MD: I still train with my mom but I also train with Tom Wright and Rob Coluccio. I admire all three of them as trainers and riders.

Sidelines: Can you pick out some highlights of your riding career?

MD: At the Washington International Horse Show I have

been Champion fve times, Grand twice, Best Child Rider once and I won the Reserve Pony Medal. At Harrisburg I’ve been Champion and Grand Champion; I’ve been Champion at Capital Challenge twice and Reserve twice; Champion at Pony Finals four times, as well as Grand Green once and Reserve Grand Green once and Reserve Grand once; at the Devon Horse Show I was

Reserve Champion once and Best Child Rider once; and then at WEF this year I was the Top Hunter Rider.

Sidelines: What was your WEF experience like this year?

DM: The Winter Equestrian Festival this year was really fun. I showed Enchanted Forest, For The Laughter, Better Than Good, Mapleside Magic Dancer, Batman and I did some catch riding. I was circuit champion on Enchanted Forest in the medium ponies and circuit champion on For The Laughter in the large ponies. Then winning the Top Hunter Rider award was amazing.

Maddy gets a piggyback ride from a friend

All photos by Emily Allongo Photography