By: Tess Heagy
Junior Jaden Delmonte horseback rides at a national level. Over the summer of 2019, Delmonte took part in national testing for horseback riding at the Palos Verdes Pony Club. After passing national testing, Delmonte can now compete at a national level.
National testing is a series of tests, with multiple sections that test maturity, knowledge, and riding skills, that if passed allows riders to compete at a national level. At this advanced level, riders are required to have an increase in maturity, knowledge and riding skills. After five years of riding experience Delmonte was able to achieve her goal of being able to compete at a national level.
“To me national testing is a big accomplishment,”Delmonte said. “ I think competing nationally is a really cool experience, it allows me to meet new people and learn more about my sport.”
Delmonte says that after passing national testing, she feels much more confident in her riding abilities. Testing at a national level has given her the opportunity to learn more about her sport, learn more about horses, and meet many people all over the nation.
“Passing national testing was a major milestone in my riding.” Delmonte said. “After I passed I was much more confident in myself as a rider.”
Delmonte’s passion for horseback riding started in 2014, when she was in fifth grade. On a family vacation she went on a trail ride and had an immediate connection to the sport and knew she wanted a future with it.
“I first rode a horse on a trail ride with my family,” Delmonte said. “I immediately loved it and asked my mom if I could take lessons and I’ve been riding ever since.”
In the future, Delmonte hopes to continue to work with horses and animals. She hopes to be a veterinarian and own a stable with horses of her own one day. She plans to compete in horseback riding into her adult years.
“I’m not exactly sure where my future with horseback riding is going,” Delmonte said. “I know I want to continue to do it for the rest of my life and do something with animals in the future.”
Delmonte is already an accomplished rider, winning the Reserve Champion, meaning she earned first place in all four of the sections that are competed in. She has competed in many local competitions and has traveled as far as North Carolina to compete.
“My biggest accomplishment besides national testing would be winning reserve champion,” DelMonte said, “Winning all four rounds in a competition was a big milestone in my riding.”
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