BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Amanda Martin has come a long way from cuddling stuffed toy horses as a kid to mastering the graceful steeds in the world of equestrian sports as a teenager.
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?It?s exciting being in the ring and trying as hard as you can to be better,? says Amanda Martin. |
?When I was little I had stuffed animals, went on pony rides and watched horses on television,? said Martin, 15, who had been riding for almost five years.
?I had to wait until I was 11 to ride horses because my parents thought I was too little to be on them.?
Martin finally got her own horse, Garfield, three years ago and has developed a strong bond with him as the two have grown as competitors.
?He can be grumpy and he always tries to kick other horses,? said Martin. (But) ?he?s so much fun and we love each other.?
Martin always wanted to ride horses competitively, but needed to shed her timid spirit when she first started.
?I got bucked off a few times and it scared me,? said Martin. ?I was terrified, but my parents and coach pushed me to get back on and do well.?
Martin did more than just getting back in the saddle again. She rode Garfield in spectacular fashion recently in Ottawa at the Capital Classic to become the reserve champion in the Children?s Hunter Division.
She and Garfield out-dueled a large field of competitors in four jumping classes and one riding class.
?It was a big deal for me because that event is one of the top shows in Ontario,? said Martin. ?It made me feel really great.?
Feeling great and building confidence is why Martin is in the sport.
?Ever since I first got my own horse, my confidence has shot up,? said Martin. ?It just makes me feel better about myself knowing I can do this.?
Martin likes to come out to the farm almost everyday and be with Garfield.
?It?s a lot of work, but you have to make sure your horse is ready for shows and it also helps me prepare for shows,? said Martin. ?It?s exciting being in the ring and trying as hard as you can to be better.?
Although she is fairly new to the sport, Cathy Inch, owner of Foothills Farm and level three certified National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) coach sees a lot of promise in Martin.
?Amanda is incredibly intelligent and a quick learner,? said Inch. ?She has an open mind and will do anything necessary to compete.?
Inch is a major influence on Martin?s life.
?I wouldn?t be able to do this without the help of Cathy,? said Martin. ?She takes me to the horse shows and prepares me for them by making me feel relaxed.?
Inch also provides Martin with a great deal of motivation.
?Cathy shows and it makes me want to be just like her,? said Martin. ?She always pushes you to be better.?
Martin wants to stay in riding for as long as she can.
?Being on a horse and the feeling I get from that makes me want to continue to see where I can end up,? said
Martin. ?I don?t know if school will get in the way, but I want to do more for sure.?
