For as long as she can remember, Reagan Durham has been riding horses, so it was only natural that the fifth grader would enter the world of equestrianism. Tomorrow, against 17 other competitors, the Owensboro native will compete in the IEA Hunt Seat National Finals in the Middle School Division as she seeks her first national title.
“It feels pretty good. Last year, I was on the verge of getting there, and I just didn’t,” Durham said. “I have done a lot since then. I have ridden a lot of different horses to prepare, and I have been having a lot of private sessions with my trainer on a lot of different ones. He has given me plenty of tips.”
One of multiple events under the Interscholastic Equestrian Association umbrella, the Hunt Seat discipline forces the riders to compete on an unknown horse that they are handed with little to no warmup time.
During the regular season, the riders accumulate points throughout the year with the goal of advancing to the regional competition. At Regionals, the top two qualify for Zones, which are divided by states. Alongside Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, Kentucky is a part of Zone 2, where the top two riders qualify for Nationals.
“The entire way to Zones this year I was worried about making the same mistake as last year,” Durham said. “Once I got there, I just rode.”
This year, Durham drew what she called the trickiest horse because of its description of not being a fan of other horses being around him. Unfazed, she acknowledged that she looked forward to the challenge and just believed in herself.
Tomorrow’s competition will include two heats with the top eight being invited back for one final round.
“I am hoping to make callbacks because it means you are in the top eight,” Durham said. “I feel really blessed about my opportunity. I really love horse riding, so it means a lot to me.”
