Sophomore Colette Whitford said she began equestrian lessons at 4 years old in 2014. According to Whitford, what started as a hobby has grown into a partnership with her Oldenburger, a tall English sport horse known for its jumping ability. Her horse’s competition name and nickname is Liza Minelli.

“She’s from Sweden,” Whitford said. “She originally did the jumpers in Sweden — a fast, timed discipline very different from equitation classes. Equitation is more like looking pretty. She’s new at that, and we’ve been showing consistently, like every month or two, and she’s been really great.”

Whitford said that while equestrian is often viewed as a solo sport, the Archer team environment of competition adds a layer of support she deeply values. She competes in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, where riders travel and compete together. 

“I really enjoy going to IEA shows,” Whitford said. “They happen every few months, and you go with your team. Having the support of a team, because equestrian is such an individualized sport, is really refreshing.”

To Whitford, that sense of connection extends beyond teammates to her horse. The sport demands a level of trust that can’t be faked or rushed, she said. 

“It’s definitely a sport of partnership and teamwork,” Whitford said. “The rider can’t do it without the horse, and the horse can’t do it without the rider. Connection and trust are a big thing because the horse has to trust the rider if you really want to do your best.”

 Senior Natalie London interest in riding began as a childhood fascination sparked by watching her older sister’s horseback riding lessons. 

“I thought it was super cool,” London said. “I would go and watch her lessons and always wish that someday, I’d be old enough to do that too. When I was 5, I started lessons, and I haven’t stopped since. It’s my favorite way to spend any free time.”

London rides a Selle Français mare, a French sporthorse known for its speed and athleticism, named Rosé whose competition name is Champoin Du Lesme. According to London, Rosé is 13 years old and came into her life after another rider brought the mare to her barn. 

“When I first rode her, she was crazy insane,” London said. “I was like, ‘Wow, I’m going die. This is impossible.’ Then she got put back into work for a year, and I started actually leasing her. She is much more calm now, but she’s still pretty fast and very excited.”

London’s her bond with Rosé feels unique and one-of-a-kind, she said.

 “There’s the competition part, where you’re so reliant on them and doing your job, and you’re both relying on one another to get around safely,” London said. “But, then, afterward, there’s all the fun stuff, spending time with them, hugging them. You have the best of both worlds: a partner in crime and someone to dote upon.”

London said the sport’s physical, mental and emotional demands unify the equestrian team at Archer.

 “There are so many sacrifices that go into it that aren’t really talked about,” London said. “It’s mentally and physically taxing, and there’s a shared understanding. When I see other riders in the halls, we all know how much it requires of you. It’s nice to have that community.”

Sophomore Camille Chi and her New Forest Pony, named Funny, have been riding together for two-and-a-half years. Funny has carried her through every stage of her riding career since when she started riding in fifth grade, Chi said. 

“He’s been a longtime partner,” Chi said. “When I just started competing and started showing regularly, I wanted my next step to be having my own horse. My trainers at the time found him, and I’ve done pretty much everything with him. He’s taught me everything.”

According to Chi, Funny assisted in her growth in many ways, such as helping her move from small jumps to more advanced heights.

“He took me from smaller heights, around 2-foot-3, to about 3-foot-3,” Chi said. “He’s done everything for me.”

Like many show horses, Funny has both a barn name and a longer, more formal show name.

“His whole name is Fun Boy St. Pre, and originally we called him Fun,” Chi said. “He came with his name. In the horse world, it’s bad luck to change it, and it grew on us. We felt that Funny had a better ring, and the name stuck.”

Chi said her favorite part of Archer’s equestrian team is having a community of other girls who are just as passionate about horseback riding as she is. 

“Pretty much every girl on the team is so full of passion,” Chi said. “Compared to other schools, our team has more people, and I think that’s amazing. Even though the horse shows for the schools aren’t always well run and can be a bit messy, everyone on the team always brings their 100%. Everyone is determined to win and score points.”