Granton’s Ava Wilder wins title at Tulsa horseback riding competition

Ava Wilder, a 10-year-old native of Granton, pictured with her horse, Visa, won the championship jacket at the Oct. 31 to Nov. 8 Color Breed Congress horseback riding competition in Tulsa, Okla.

By Spencer Seymour

Ava Wilder, a 10-year-old from Granton, along with her horse, Visa, won the championship jacket in the youth walk trot ranch trail class at the Color Breed Congress in Tulsa, Okla., from Oct. 31 to Nov. 8.

Wilder also competed in the ranch ideal, ranch riding and two ranch rail classes, placing third in one of them. Wilder also came in third in the western showmanship class.

Sherry Garrett, Wilder’s mother, noted she and Wilder’s coach, Chanda Burke, both could tell the sport was a serious passion for Wilder when she first started riding horses at just two years old. Wilder, who rides at DDD Quarter Horses in Thorndale, told the Independent her love of horseback riding grew very quickly.

“I have always loved riding horses,” said Wilder. “I always knew it was the right sport for me. It’s the best sport ever. I love riding because it’s just me and my horse; nothing else matters. Some of my favourite memories include being at the barn – lessons with my coach, visiting in my free time, camp, preparing for horse shows, being covered in dust, or drenched in sweat at horse shows. As long as it’s horse-related, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing.”

Four judges are tasked with judging each class and the announcer announced the placings under each judge. This is how Wilder learned of her championship victory, which she noted became clear after the first three judges put her in the top spot.

“By the time they called the third judge’s placings, I was so excited because I knew I won,” Wilder said. “This judge had placed me first and I had been first under the first and second judges too. This is the biggest show I’ve ever competed in and going up against older riders from places like Texas, Montana and Oklahoma and coming out on top felt amazing.”

According to Wilder, the consistent training and preparation by her coach made her feel very positive going into the competition.

“Heading into the Color Breed Congress, I was nervous and excited. I have been riding Visa for at least five years, so I am very comfortable and confident when we go into shows together. I have two lessons a week, and in the weeks before the show, I was riding even more often. My coach, Chanda (Burke), is awesome and has done so much to prepare me and Visa for this show, so even though I was nervous, I felt like we had a good chance.”

Wilder also recounted many different aspects of getting to the competition and celebrating her success upon returning home.

“Thinking back on my first Tulsa show experience, a few things stand out. Leading up to the show, all of the excitement and prep – packing, making plans, practicing, getting my show clothes ready and making sure Visa was ready. Every time I was at the barn, we were talking about Oklahoma and that got me so excited. Next, the drive – it was the longest drive of my life. It was about 18 hours over two days, and then the same on the way home.

“When I think about my accomplishments, being the champion in my trail class was the highlight,” Wilder continued. “I won the Color Breed Congress champion jacket and I’m proud to wear it. Something else that I will remember is showing at 10:30 at night for one of my classes; I was so tired.”

Being at the event for well over a week, Wilder described having plenty of fun, both in and out of the framework of the competition.

“Being invited to be a part of this show team is something I will never forget. We all cheered each other on and helped each other throughout the show. The downtime was fun too; we rode around the grounds on electric scooters. It was a huge facility and we took our golf cart and the others brought scooters that made the trip back and forth from the barn to the trailers fun.

“I loved taking Visa out for walks and play time after showing was over,” added Wilder. “It was nice to have the free time with Visa. And now looking back, I’m so thankful that Chanda put so much work into getting both me and Visa ready for the show. I feel so lucky that I got to do this show with Visa; it wouldn’t have been the same with any other horse.”