Local equestrians win ribbons

Laguna Beach High students Madalyn Metz and Nina Thornton won big recently while competing at the Orange County Horse Show Assn. year-end championship show Oct. 14 to 18 at the Oaks/Blenheim Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano.

The OCHSA year-end show featured the counties’ top equestrians.

In order to qualify to ride in the championships, both girls had to place either first, second or third in a qualifying class during the year at an OCHSA-sanctioned show.

Both girls train under Katie and John Berney of San Juan Capistrano-based ESI, which specializes in Hunter/Jumpers. Their training consists of an average of 12 to 25 hours per week.

Not only do the horses need to be in top condition, but riders need upper body, leg and core strength to help them control, cue and move in balance with the horse. The girls’ training paid off when the judges awarded them 13 ribbons combined.

Thornton came in first place, winning a champion coat and ribbon in Maiden Equitation Flat 15-17 year-olds. Her other ribbons came from Judged Jumper Warm Up Fences 2’6”-2’9, Children’s Hunters 14-17 Fences 2’9”-3’, CWD Flat Equitation Challenge and Novice Equitation 15-17.

Metz won ribbons in the Thermal Mini Prix, the 5 Bar Jumper Class, 3’ Hunter Classic, Children’s Hunters 14 -17 Under Saddle, Children’s Hunters 14-17 Fences 2’9”-3’, Modified Junior/Amateur Hunters Under Saddle, and Judged Jumper Warm Up Fences 2’6”2’9”.

Both girls credit their winning ribbons to their ESI trainers and the support of Laguna Beach High.

“” From staff reports