Ashley Lentz and horse Bismarck are a dream together in showjumping competitions
The duo compete in showjumping competitions and are certain to achieve much in their careers.
Ashley Lentz is a Grade 10 learner at Northcliff High School and writes about her love of horse riding with horse Bismarck.
The two compete in showjumping together and are doing exceptionally well.
I was just a little seven-year-old girl with a passion and a dream. One day I wanted to be flying over big jumps with my own horse. The only problem was that I was always too scared to do competitions.
What happens if I knock a jump, or jump the wrong jump, or the horse trips and falls, what happens if everyone laughs at me?
I started riding when I was six and did my first stable show the next year after much convincing. I had always loved being around horses from a very young age and eventually, my parents agreed to let me do riding lessons.
They thought that it was a phase, but after they saw how happy and content I was around horses, they knew that it was something I’d do my whole life. I started saving up my pocket money, the money I got from the tooth fairy, Christmas and my birthday to go and spend it at the tuck shop.
I was afraid that I’d fall, mess up, let someone down or make a fool of myself. I also had some tough instructors who made me so anxious. These thoughts caused me to put my dream on hold and not compete at all.
But when I found Honeyridge stables, that all changed. The instructors are so understanding and easygoing. The horses are all so friendly and have such bubbly personalities. They are the ones who led me in the direction to achieve my dream. I soon did my first stable show with them, and I never looked back. Two years later, I am still riding at Honeyridge and don’t plan to move any time soon!
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I started competing for the Northcliff High Equestrian Team in 2021 on a horse called Bismarck. We competed all the way to nationals, and we also won our equitation class. That was the moment that I knew it was possible, it was possible to achieve my goals in riding and I proved to myself that I can do it and not let fear stop me. Bismarck and I competed again this year (2022) and got through to regionals. I cannot wait for what next year has in store for me and the memories that I will make.
Riding is my love and passion and I refuse to let fear be the reason that I would limit myself again.
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