The Columbus School’s horseback riders are preparing for December’s national show jumping championships. They are balancing intensive training, academics, and mental preparation as they try to achieve their personal and competitive goals.

With strict training schedules, intense commitment to academic excellence, and personalized mental strategy sessions, TCS riders like Alicia Baquero, Amelia Morales, and Elisa Isaza aim to be exemplars at this year’s show jumping national championships. Their hard work and resilience show not only a passion for the sport but also the discipline needed to work under pressure.

“Every day is a step toward something bigger. Balancing school and training isn’t easy, but it’s part of the journey to be my best in and out of the arena,” Alicia Baquero, 11th grader, said.

For TCS riders, balancing academics with intensive training is essential to achieving both school and sports goals. Alicia Baquero, a 1.20-meter rider in eleventh grade, prioritizes getting schoolwork done during school hours to fully dedicate her afternoons to training.

“I finish as much schoolwork as I can during school hours so that I can dedicate my afternoons to training,” Baquero said.

The connection between rider and horse plays a crucial role in competition. Amelia Morales, a tenth-grade rider, emphasizes her bond with her horse, Moro, which she kept strong even when he was injured by visiting him every day.

“Even during Moro’s injury, I made sure to visit him daily. It’s what kept our connection strong. This made us bond and made him feel as if I was present and there for him during his recovery. This made us stronger as a whole,” Amelia Morales, 10th grader, said.

Adapting to changes, like working with different horses, has strengthened Amelia’s versatility and resilience as a rider. This adaptability has prepared her for high-pressure moments in competition. Not only with Moro but with other horses, this has shown her how to rapidly resolve upcoming obstacles that may come her way.

“Riding other horses while Moro was injured taught me a lot about versatility and handling unexpected challenges. This amplified my knowledge and experience in my training for nationals,” Morales said.

With the help of sports counselors, TCS riders employ techniques to stay calm and focused under competition pressure. Alicia and her fellow riders use breathing strategies to stay calm during intense events.

“My sports counselor taught me breathing exercises that keep me calm and focused under pressure. I use this before each course; this helps me with concentration and calmness under pressure,” Baquero said.

Each rider brings a clear vision for their future. Elisa Isaza, a juvenile rider, is focused on performing her best in December’s national championship, while Alicia aspires to compete at the 1.30-meter level. They all aspire for next year to be one or two levels higher, as they get older the category that is expected from them gets higher, and they all aspire to keep up with the expectation.

“It’s about patience, persistence, and knowing that every ride brings you closer to your dream,” Elisa Isaza, 10th grader, said.