BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Leaving Ottawa and coming to Sudbury has changed Christine Treverton's life.
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The 20-year-old equestrian rider left Ottawa a few years ago to come to Sudbury to train with renowned equestrian coach Cathy Inch at Foothills Farms in Chelmsford.
"I wanted to start doing bigger shows and my coach in Ottawa suggested I try Cathy in Sudbury," said Treverton. "Sudbury was a good fit because I wanted to take sports psychology and Laurentian University offered the program."
Treverton started riding horses when she was 10 years old.
"My family had two dairy farms and I always liked animals, especially horses," said Treverton. "I watched the jumpers on television and knew that's what I wanted to do and my mom got me started in it."
Treverton then started to devote most of her time to being with horses and stoking the fire within herself.
"I am out at the farm about six days a week," said Treverton." "I brush and ride the horses and take lessons."
The hard work and devotion to her horse, Pelanca, paid off recently when Treverton won the Canadian Equestrian Team Medal in Ottawa at the Capital Classic.
Treverton accomplished the feat by producing top results in two phases of riding.
In the first phase she had to maneuver her horse through a course of obstacles and show great form and positioning.
Treverton then showed tremendous skill in guiding her horse through the second phase. She and her horse were judged on how they responded and how natural they looked when jumping. Treverton won over a field of 32 competitors under the age of 21.
"It was nice to win on my home turf," said Treverton. "I was excited and proud of my horse, Pelanca."
Cathy Inch, owner of FootHills Farms and certified National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) level three coach knows Treverton is passionate about the sport even though she doesn't show it.
"Christine is very calm, cool and collected," said Inch. "She's secretly competitive because when she makes a mistake, she doesn't let it happen again."
Her quiet, but competitive nature rubs off on the horse, which translates to success.
"Christine's anxiety doesn't rub off on the horse and they are both focused in the ring under the spotlight."
Treverton enjoys the challenge of working with horses.
"Every day is fun and different," said Treverton. "You never know what you'll get dealing with animals."
Equestrian sports have impacted Treverton's life in a big way.
"I've always been quiet and shy, but it has helped me build self confidence by going to shows and competing in front of people."
Treverton has her sights set on the Royal Winter Fair, a major horse show at the CNE in Toronto. The event features the top riders from across Canada.
"It's a very prestigious event and I would love to go," said Treverton. "If Pelanca and I keep having great showings, we might be there this year."
Inch knows Treverton has great potential, but knows it takes more than just potential to make it big.
"The sky's the limit for her, but in this sport you need a lot of money to compete and there isn't a lot of money out there for these athletes," said Inch. "She does have the desire to win though and that makes up for a lot."
