20 SIDELINES DECEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Continued on page 22
e
I
t’s easy to spotlight junior riders in the equestrian
world. From young pony competitors to teens
showing in big classes – these young phenoms
are everywhere. And while Sidelines loves to spotlight
the younger generation, there is actually an entire
group of young riders who are stealing the spotlight
- from the older riders, that is. We are highlighting fve
riders here, but there are countless young riders out
there giving the seasoned riders a run for their money!
“I did my frst Grand Prix when I was 13, on my
high junior horse Jewel,” said 18-year-old Olympic
veteran Reed Kessler. “I’ve been held back by
age restrictions until just this year. During Florida
I focused on the bigger classes so that I could get
mileage before the trials. There was a lot of riding
without stirrups!”
Andwhat of riding against seasoned international
show jumping veterans? “I don’t really factor in
age,” admitted Reed. “Performances speak for
themselves! Someone said to me that you are
at your best when you’re young because you
don’t think anything can stop you and haven’t
experienced failure yet. However, experience
wins out in general. Championship riders don’t
come out of nowhere – it takes time to learn big
skills like that.”
Following in Reed’s footsteps is 13-year-
old Jackson Brittan, who made his Grand Prix
debut in the $40,000 Weathertech Grand Prix
during the Summer in the Rockies series at the
Colorado Horse Park. “I didn’t make the jump
off,” admitted the young rider. “I wasn’t sure if I
Stealing
the
Spotlight
was ready; but I just had to give it a go. It was great. I’d like to have
more experiences in more Grand Prix’s, and soon.”
Another 15-year-old who is making a splash in the Open
Jumper classes is Emanuel Andrade, who made his debut in
the $25,000 A-T Children’s Beneft Grand Prix during the 2012
FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. He placed 11th against a feld
of top international riders that included Olympic veteran Debbie
Stephens, Pablo Barrios and Margie Engle. “The competition is
very strong at the big shows,” admitted Emanuel, who is now a
regular in the Open Jumper ring.
Reed Kessler
Photo by Sophie Durieux
Jackson Brittan
Photo by Mancini Photos