By Angela Higginbotham
angela@floridanewsline.com
Equestrian standout Camryn Hulsey is a senior at Bartram Trail High School and a recent Texas A&M University scholarship recipient. At age six, Hulsey discovered her love for riding horses while spending time watching and learning from her mom, who has also enjoyed equestrian sports. Hulsey is very excited to join the Texas A&M equestrian team and will begin her collegiate career in Fall 2017. She plans to major in interior design and minor in business.
- Can you explain the different types of equestrian competitions and what you enjoy competing in most?
The two types of riding are called English and western. Some of the categories in western riding are roping, barrel racing and reining. In a western competition, the horse and rider perform a pattern that combines trail and reining elements. English riding consists of show jumping, dressage and cross country riding. Within show jumping there are categories of equitation, hunters and jumpers. In equitation, judging is based on the rider. In hunters, we are judged on the horse and in jumpers, judging is based on time and faults. I have been competing in English show jumping my entire riding career.
- What has your greatest accomplishment as an equestrian been, and also your greatest challenge?
My proudest moment would definitely be when I placed in the top 30 at Pony Finals, or even just qualifying for the national competitions that I’ve competed in.
My greatest challenge came when I was 14 and I wanted to move up to the next level in riding. In order to do that, I had to find a new horse that had the ability to jump the height I wanted. The horse I ended up getting was very young. I had to train her up to the height I wanted. I had to go from winning and showing constantly, to completely starting over.
- What are your current goals?
Most of my goals have already come true. When I was younger, I wanted to make it to the national competitions, and then ride for a collegiate team. My main goal for now is to enjoy being on the Texas A&M equestrian team and see how far I can take my talent after college.
- Who inspires you the most?
The people who inspire me the most are my trainers Nashea Powell, Katie Young and Megan Young. They have supported me every step of the way and truly inspired me to not only be the rider I am, but also the person I am.
- If you could give anyone an equestrian lesson, who would it be and why?
If I could give anyone a lesson on a horse it would be my father, Paul Hulsey. He has been by my side all the years I have been riding, taking me to my lessons at the barn and even traveling out of state to most of my competitions. He has never actually ridden a horse, so I would love to show him what it is all about.
Photo courtesy Camryn Hulsey
Camryn Hulsey with High Society, also known as Tori.
