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52 SIDELINES JULY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Lia and Volado
Photo by Anne Gittens
The American Heritage
Equestrian Team shows off
their school pride at an IEA
show.
Photo by Cindy Screnci
where I am team captain for the high school team. On
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 we have a
designated equestrian school bus that takes all the riders
in the program to their own separate barns. The equestrian
program counts for all of my Physical Education credits that
are required for high school students to graduate, the same
as taking a tennis class or PE at school would. For IEA,
we have a middle school and a high school team. We have
practice once every couple of weeks with Castlewood (they
are the official team coaches) and the IEA show season
starts in September. We go to shows and ride for points both
individually and as a team, with the goal to qualify for Zones,
then Regionals and then Nationals. The school recognizes
us just like any other sports team at the school, like football
and basketball.
How long have you trained with Alan at Castlewood?
I have been with Alan and Castlewood Farm since I was in 6th
grade. I like that he’s very kind and has a lot of confdence in
me. He’s very straightforward with his training, he tells you exactly
what you’re doing wrong and how to fx it and improve your ride. I
love training with him. I just moved up during WEF this year to the
Low Junior Jumpers.
Do you have your own horse?
Yes! I have bay Dutch Warmblood jumper named Volado. I’ve
had him for a little under a year now, and I love him so much. He’s
like a giant teddy bear!
What are your riding goals?
My riding goals are to eventually advance to the grand
prix, and I would love to compete in the FEI Young Riders
Championship. This past WEF I had the opportunity to do my frst
night class under the lights; I competed in the FTI Great Charity
Challenge on a team with Morgane Qualls and grand prix rider
Lauren Hough, it was a blast!
What are your personal goals?
I would love to attend college in either New York or California. I
have a passion for flm and photography and I would really like to
major in Film Production. 
What do you like to do when you aren’t riding?
I love taking pictures when I’m not showing. I actually work for a
horse show photographer in Wellington, Anne Gittins. I also love
to read, I always have a book on me! Other than that, schoolwork
and preparing for SAT’s next year take up the rest of my time.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is when people text and drive. I’m
constantly telling people not to while we’re in the car, it’s so unsafe!
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
I would love to travel to Italy, it seems like such a beautiful place.
My dad’s whole side of the family is Italian, so I would love to see
the place where a large part of my family came from!
For more information on American Heritage and their Equestrian
Program, visit their website at www.ahschool.com and click on
Boca/Delray.