Sophomore Bre Smith and her horse leap for the Maclay Award

Sophomore Bre Smith and her horse leap for the Maclay Award

From the age of 6, sophomore Bre Smith has been passionate about horses. Nine years later, Smith is competing in horse shows for something she has wanted to win her whole life: the Maclay award.

The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Maclay award is the highest award a high school student can receive for showing horses. Through the ASPCA, riders travel across the United States to show their horses and display their talent to ride. When Smith began riding, she started small performances with her horses and her barn, Major Motion Farms. After that, Smith’s trainer, Barrett Weller, brought her to more shows where she eventually decided she wanted to compete.

“I have always been very passionate about shows,” said Smith. “I love the energy in participating in them and the joy of just being on a horse.”

Smith plans on traveling throughout the United States in April and June to compete in the ASPCA Maclay Finals. This will give her the oppurtunity she has been waiting for to show her horse around the nation.

“Riding is a break from everything,” said Smith. “You get time to focus on your horse and give them all your attention. It’s a sense of freedom.”

Her enjoyment of horses comes from her inspirations. Smith is greatly inspired to ride and compete by athletes George Morris and Reed Kessler. Morris, who is considered the “Founding Father” of Hunt Seat Equitation, created the basis of how Smith and others gather their horses in a ring to be judged. Kessler is the youngest competitor to ride for the U.S. Olympic team. Both have inspired Smith to show horses and compete with them in the excellent way she does today.

“I look up to Kessler so much,” said Smith. “Despite being a Grand Prix jumper, she still focuses on properly and effectively riding her horse.”

Smith hopes that in the future she can continue riding and showing horses. As she moves on through high school, Smith wants to be able to move into the higher level of jumping and work even closer with her horses.