FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2014 23
apply to her own riding, as she did at Gladstone. While sidelined
with her injury at the beginning of 2014, she watched the Junior
classes in Wellington and kept an eye on the displays showing the
judges’ scores for each movement.
“I’m a visual learner, so it’s great when I see other riders do
the tests,” she explained. “I found the scoreboards really helpful
to see the movements and how they were scored. Then you know
how you’re supposed to ride and what the judges want to see.”
Ashleigh is an Ambassador for JustWorld International,
donating her prize money to the organization and promoting their
humanitarian efforts. She also created a Junior Ambassador
program for the New Jersey Chapter of The Nature Conservancy
with the aim of preserving the beauty of nature for generations to
come. The program has raised over $30,000 in two years.
Ashleigh is able to manage her scholastic and extracurricular
commitments while also devoting time to the sport she loves. She
has her sights set on returning to the Festival of Champions and
NAJYRC, and over the next couple of years she hopes to move up
into the Young Rider division. She said she has found that focus
and consistency are key to success in the dressage world.
“You’re able to train further and faster if you’re using the same
methods and aids every day,” she explained. “When you’re in the
test, you should be riding the same as at home.”
She added, “Determination is a really great asset to have. When
you’re having a bad day, you can’t just give up on something.
You have to see it through. The desire to learn is also important,
because that’s how you can improve.”
Ashleigh’s dedication to bettering her skills and expanding her
knowledge has propelled her rapid rise in the sport of dressage.
With a winning combination of natural talent and drive to perform,
balanced by a sense of humor and a genuine love for the sport,
this young competitor is ready to take the dressage world by storm.
Ashleigh Conroy-Zugel and Ungaro
Photo by SusanJStickle.com
