Riding to success

11-year-old equestrian represents USA in Puerto Rico

Credit: Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

Savannah Williams rides her horse Twinkle at her grandfather's farm in Connelly Springs on Wednesday. Williams recently competed as a member of the USA’s Paso Fino Youth Mundial Equestrian Team.

By: Julie n. Chang | Morganton News Herald
Published: July 19, 2010

CONNELLY SPRINGS --

At just 11 years old, Savannah Williams of Connelly Springs has a lot to be proud of. She just returned from a week in Puerto Rico as a member of the USA’s Paso Fino Youth Mundial Equestrian Team.
The young horsewoman from Burke County made the national team after a series of tryouts earning her a spot at the international competition. The eighth Jinetes y Amazonas Felix Santiago Oliver Mundial, drew riders from seven countries.
Ashley Williams, Savannah’s mother, said six girls in the 9- to 11-year-old age group made up the USA team. The equestrians had to guide their Paso Fino horses through different patterns, but there was no jumping required.
On Wednesday, while she went for a ride in her grandfather’s pasture, Savannah sat still — almost rigid — rigid atop her horse, Twinkle. Ashley Williams said Savannah practices almost every day, weather permitting. While Savannah moved Twinkle through different gaits, her constant goal was to maintain her posture and her hands’ placement — things the judges look for, Ashley Williams said.
Part of a self-proclaimed “horse family,” Ashley Williams said she rode and competed as a girl and her father continues to show horses. Ashley repeatedly described her daughter as “horse crazy.”
Savannah Williams started riding and competing when she was 5. She has no plans to stop anytime soon, and hopes to train horses as a career.
Savannah’s trip to the Mundial started last summer in Asheville, when she first heard about the international competition, she said. They sent an e-mail requesting information. After participating in try-outs, she made the team.
Although she didn’t come away with a new title, Savannah said the experience was fun and she hopes to make the team again in 2012, when the Mundial (“world” competition) is in Miami.
One of the challenges Savannah faced this time around was using an unfamiliar horse, Ashley Williams said. Because of the cost of transporting a horse to Puerto Rico, many equestrians used horses provided at the competition. Savannah said that proved to be a challenge, but so did the number of people and the noise.
“I was thinking there were a lot of people there!” Savannah said. “I got nervous.”
During the competition, however, Savannah said a mixture of instinct, habit from daily practices and internal dialogue kept her moving.
“I’m very proud of her,” Ashley Williams said. “We were very excited and excited to go to Puerto Rico, too.”
Savannah said it wasn’t just about the competition, either. She met girls from around the world and although many didn’t speak English, they still managed to communicate with each other by pointing and gesturing. She also tried some Spanish food, though she admitted she wasn’t a big fan of it.
When the Mundial returns in two years, Savannah will be in a new age group and will have to be ready for a written test.
For right now, however, she’s preparing for nationals in September.