FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES DECEMBER 2013 43
Sophie and her trainer David Sterckx walking the course.
proposition. I offered to do a behind-the-scenes blog about my
training, preparation and mindset leading up to, and also during,
the championships. I sent the proposal thinking, as my mother
always said, “No guts, no glory.” Within minutes I had my answer.
No kidding. About an hour later I was a confirmed guest blogger
for
Sidelines.
The name of my blog: Diary of a Podium Hopeful.
I truly enjoyed this experience and was thrilled when the editor
of
Sidelines
, Jan Westmark, contacted me to gauge my interest
in taking this one step further. She asked if I’d consider writing a
regular column, one that features members of the West Coast
show jumping community.
Fun fact: I have only had two great loves thus far in my life
– four-legged beasts of the equine persuasion and writing. The
opportunity to combine them was irresistible. I accepted her offer
and began typing what would become my first published piece.
I compete at least once or twice a month at shows around
California. Riders from all over the Western United States and
Canada come here to show because the shows are well done, the
competition is high and what can beat the weather in California?
This gives me a great opportunity to interview riders, trainers and
other professionals who are making a go of this crazy sport. Join
me here each month in Juniorside - West Edition as I meet new
people and share their amazing stories.
Sophie’s blog, Diary of a Podium Hopeful, chronicling her
adventures at the USHJA Children’s and Adult Amateur West
Regional Jumper Championships can be found on the “What’s
Happenin’” blog on the Sidelines Magazine website, www.
sidelinesnews.com.
About the writer: Sophie St. Clair is a high school freshman from Southern
California. She has an interest in the psychology of high performance athletes. She
is also a junior ambassador for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where she works to
raise funds and awareness for the hospital. Sophie is working toward becoming a
professional show jumper, but is taking it “one jump at a time.”
