By Jennifer Wood and Sabrina Brashares for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equitation competition wrapped up on Saturday in FarmVet Ring 7 with the completion of the Adult Amateur Equitation division. Twenty-four riders entered the division, and in the end, Lauren Reid and her own Norway earned the tricolor ribbon to finish the day. Reid piloted Norway to two firsts and a second place finish.
Reid, of Kiawah Island, SC, and Norway started the division with a blue ribbon in the flat class and then remained near the top throughout both over fences classes. The duo has a strong partnership, which helped them successfully navigate the technical courses.
“I’ve had Norway for around five years,” commented Reid. “He was leased for about a year so we recently have come back together and so far we have done super well! He knows when it’s game time, and when he walks in the ring he is there to win. You can really tell because his temperament changes when he is at home versus how he is at the horse show. He really always just wants to win.”
The pair, trained by Michael Dowling, also finished in second place in the Ariat National Adult Medal out of 27 competitors. After not being able to ride for a couple weeks, Reid and the 15-year-old Warmblood gelding returned to the show ring ready to win.
“He was really awesome today,” explained Reid. “I was actually not here for three or four weeks, and I had not ridden at all during that time so it was definitely a little nerve-wracking at first. I was not too sure how he was going to be, but he was great. I thought we did a great job putting everything together in the ring, and it was really nice.”
Reid is looking forward to being able to continue showing at WEF for the remainder of the season and staying consistent in the Adult Amateur Equitation.
“I love the atmosphere at WEF,” said Reid. “The weather is amazing, and everything always runs so smoothly. The whole experience is great. It’s my favorite horse show, and I love being here!”
Amelia Bergeron and her own Halouet earned reserve champion in the division. Bergeron, of Atlanta, GA, and Halouet received first, second, and fourth place ribbons.
