South Kingstown native Olivia Rielly will be competing on the national stage for horseback riding in the Intermediate Equitation on the Flat class. She first competed nationally in 2023 at the JV beginner level and is now at the intermediate level, having won the regional event and taken second place at the Zone 1 championship to qualify for nationals. Rielly feels more prepared this time and is hopeful for a good outcome, despite the unpredictability of the competition due to the luck of the draw in terms of the horses riders are assigned.
Rielly competes for the barn “Hunter Ridge” in Ashaway, Rhode Island, and will be joined by three teammates at nationals. She credits her friend for getting her into horseback riding in second grade and has been training and riding with her teammates regularly. The intermediate level of Hunt Seat riding involves 13 tests of form with unfamiliar horses, with judges scoring the riders. Rielly hopes to continue riding in college, as equestrian is offered at certain universities through its own governing body.
The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is the main competitive horseback riding organization for middle and high-school-age students, operating in almost every state. Rielly’s journey to nationals this year involved winning the regional event and placing second at the Zone 1 championship. She will be competing near St. Louis on April 25, alongside her teammates from Hunter Ridge. Rielly is looking forward to the challenge and is more prepared this time around, having gained more experience and knowledge of what to expect in the competition.
