54 SIDELINES APRIL 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Sophie St. Clair
Imagine that among your accomplishments you could say you
were a three-time American Quarter Horse Youth Association
World Champion, a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)
National Hunter Champion, a grand prix rider and a licensed pilot,
and all by the age 22. For Southern California native Melissa
Doddridge, tackling big challenges is no problem.
Melissa began her riding career showing in the American
Quarter Horse Association. When she was 11, she bought her
first English horse and, after finding the horse to be a bit difficult
to ride, she began working with hunter and jumper trainer Tracy
Burroughs at Windsong Farm in Huntington Beach.
Under Tracy’s careful guidance, Melissa has accomplished
many things. As a junior hunter she won the West Coast Junior
Hunter Finals and was the USEF Small Junior Hunter National
Champion in 2008. Additionally, she continued her riding in
the AQHA and garnered three American Quarter Horse Youth
Association World Championships. She has moved successfully
on to the amateur/owner hunter divisions where she has won
multiple hunter prix at HITS Thermal.
Melissa said Tracy has not only been her trainer, but like
a second mother to her. Melissa credits the long, supportive
relationship with Tracy as having helped shape her into the adult
she is today. “She is one of the hardest working people I know and
she has taught me more than I ever thought possible.”
While competing in the hunter divisions, Melissa turned her
sights on a new challenge – making the switch to jumpers. She
bought her first jumper, Shades of Gray, and was hooked from
the beginning. Melissa says this horse “had one gear and one
gear only and that was fast.” Her current jumper, Mucho Gusto,
is helping her to move into the grand prix ranks. Last year, she
finished fifth in her first grand prix at Huntington Beach and soon
after she placed fourth at the Flintridge Grand Prix.
Catching airtime in the grand prix ring isn’t Melissa’s only
passion. In 2007, Melissa’s father came to HITS Thermal to watch
her show. Cessna Aircraft Company was a sponsor and had
airplanes on the show grounds and it was there that he became
interested in flying and bought a Cessna Stationair (206). Melissa
e
Juniorside
said, “The first time I went l flying in the 206, my first small plane
ride ever, was when I realized I wanted to fly airplanes.” Melissa
committed herself to learning and received her private pilot’s
license in April 2012. She is currently a licensed private pilot with
an Instrument rating.
Melissa is no stranger to hard work either. Her day consists of
getting to the barn at 7 a.m. where she rides three to four horses
per day. She juggles school and flying – both time consuming
activities. Add to this schedule necessary time for competitive
conditioning for herself. Melissa says when Mucho Gusto first
came to the barn she was constantly jumped loose and when she
worked him on the flat she would run out of strength. To get more
strength in her legs she began riding her hunter horse without
stirrups. She also began kettlebell training with a personal trainer
to strengthen her upper body. Melissa says this kind of competitive
personal training has helped immensely with her riding.
As a successful amateur hunter derby rider and an up-and-
coming grand prix rider we will have many chances to watch her
riding career flourish. She has the kind of determination and drive
to propel her along whatever path she chooses. Whether it’s in the
ring or in the air, Melissa Doddridge will, without question, meet
her goal.
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.”
High Flyer Melissa Doddridge
Melissa and She’s Got The Blue at the AQHYA World
Championship in Working Hunter in 2010.
Photo courtesy of the AQHA
She’s A High Flyer: Melissa in front of the airplane she flies, a
Cessna Skylane (182), after passing her instrument checkride.
