FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES JULY 2014 21
Sheer shows off her winning way during the summer series at
Spruce Meadows.
Photo by Kym Ketcham
learned so much, and have grown so much as a rider since I’ve
been with Katie,” Sheer said. “She’s tough and strict, but she
makes you a strong rider. She likes very hard-working riders and
is committed to improving and to winning. It’s a great honor that
Katie calls me her student.”
Sheer is now the youngest member of “team Plain Bay,”
following in the footsteps of another teen, 2012 U.S. Olympian
Reed Kessler. “I look up to Reed a lot,” Sheer said. “I think she’s
amazingly talented and she also works really hard and I’ve
enjoyed learning from her.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to share in lessons with her last
summer while at the Kessler Show Stables,” added Sheer. “Katie
encourages her older and more experienced Plain Bay riders to
help train the younger riders on her team.”
Over the past four years, Sheer has spent most of her time in
the saddle and has racked up a long list of wins, both here and
abroad. She made her international debut representing the USA in
the Children’s Nation’s Cup in Bogota, Columbia, where she was
awarded the Best Foreign Rider. Last summer, Sheer competed
on grass for the first time at Spruce Meadows, placing first in nine
classes. This year, Sheer joined Ramiro Quintana and Tori Smith
to make up one of the three-rider relay teams to compete for a
cause during the $2 Million Great Charity Challenge during the
2014 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival.
“Right now I only focus on the jumpers, but I do plan to get
back into the equitation when I find the right horse as I know it
will improve my position and technique as a jumper rider,” Sheer
said. “My goal is to compete in Grand Prix and make it to the
Olympics. I know it’s incredibly hard work and requires great skill,
but I believe I have the dedication, the training and family support
to achieve these goals.”
When asked for advice to other aspiring young riders, Sheer
answered without hesitation. “Dream big, be patient, and be 100
percent committed.”
