By Kristen Applebaum, Staff Writer

Clouds of sand linger in the air as a dozen horses run around the warm-up arena while their riders frantically call out which jumps they’re taking before someone else gets to it first. The other riders try to keep the powerful animal under them calm in the midst of all the noise and movement. During all the commotion, junior Anne Holcomb tries to calm her nerves before her first class of the day.

Holcomb has been riding horses since she was 4 years old and has been competing in horse shows since sixth grade. Although she hasn’t taken riding lessons in a few years, Holcomb has advanced to the state 4-H Horse Show every year since seventh grade.

“I like competing. I think it’s fun and definitely gives you something to work toward, but I also like just hanging out and riding for fun,” Holcomb said.

Holcomb enjoys competing in both English and western riding – two different styles of horseback riding which differ in the equipment and events one would ride.

After gaining some experience in several styles, Holcomb has managed to figure out her strengths and weaknesses. She excels in events such as Western Pleasure, where the horse and rider are judged on how relaxed the ride appears to be based on the calm manner and responsiveness of the horse.

Even in events that Holcomb isn’t as strong in, she still puts up a challenge for the other riders.

“I usually place higher in western stuff. Last year I won the Junior Horse Western Pleasure event and the year before I got second in that,” Holcomb said. “I don’t usually do very well in the hunter/jumper stuff, but I can usually place top 10.”

The nerves of competing in a big arena for a state title come back to Holcomb every year, no matter how much competition experience she has.

“I don’t really get nervous until I’m walking into the ring, especially in the first class of the day because everything is really big and there are usually about 25 other horses in there with you,” Holcomb said.

Just like other competitions and sporting events, not everyone has a positive attitude. However, by creating friendships with people at smaller local shows, Holcomb finds it easier to deal with the hustle and stress at state competitions.

“It’s a pretty even mix of nice people and kind of mean people,” Holcomb said. “A lot of the people from Currituck County are really nice and I’m friends with people from other counties near us because we all show at the same open shows.”

While winning first-place ribbons is rewarding, Holcomb also sees horse shows as a way to have fun with her horse and get to know more people.

When she’s not cleaning stalls or helping to herd cows and chickens, Holcomb’s favorite pastime is adventuring on a trail ride with friends.

“I really like going out on trail rides with a big group,” Holcomb said. “We ride around the woods and find different paths and creeks.”

Even while doing something as laid back as a trail ride, there’s always a possibility for things to go awry.

“There was one time I was on a trail ride and everybody else’s horse was walking through this puddle, but my horse wouldn’t walk through it,” Holcomb said. “He tried to jump it and almost clotheslined me off his back because there was a low-hanging branch, but it was still fun.”

Being involved with horses is a big commitment that takes a lot of work to improve skills and fulfill the responsibilities that come with it. Over the years, Holcomb’s mother, Kim Crouch, has noticed how much her daughter has learned to take responsibility.

“Having horses really requires a lot of discipline and care and money, so it’s helped her learn how to manage all of that,” Crouch said. “It definitely makes her more responsible. She takes care of the horse entirely herself.”

Whether she’s going to the barn to ride or clean stalls, Holcomb makes the trip to Currituck at least five days a week to take care of her horse and help with chores around the farm.

“Finding the time to do everything is difficult because you have to be at the barn a lot,” Holcomb said. “But I’ve always really liked doing it, so it’s never felt like a chore to go out there. Even if I’m actually doing chores at the barn, I enjoy doing them and I look forward to going out there.”

Senior Kristen Applebaum can be reached at applebaumkr0910@daretolearn.org.