<![CDATA[The World]]> <![CDATA[The World]]> /Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_jk0avc55oclyo2e53rgjxg45_4d657531-6c5a-49f7-ab46-868e7a703835_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 22 May 2013 01:45:57 GMT 15 <![CDATA[Equestrian passionate about sport]]> By Cesar Duran-Ortega

Photo by Tanner Treiber

Seconds before the signal, Teri Vonderschmidt, senior, breathes deeply and gathers her thoughts. Below her is Perry, her friend and companion, with whom she has been training for this very moment. With no more time to gather thoughts, Vonderschmidt and Perry set off. Riding horses since she was seven, Vonderschmidt began competing in equestrian competitions in 2006. “I compete in hunter/jumper competitions. Hunter shows judge the horse and how it moves; jumpers go by time. I also compete in equitation classes, which judge the rider’s position and control,” Vonderschmidt said. Vonderschmidt’s horse is an important part of her life. “His name’s Perry, I got him for my 15th birthday,” Vonderschmidt said. Teri’s mother, Jami Vonderschmidt, remembers that day well. “Everybody at her school knew about it, but she didn’t. I took her out of school that day. She had no idea what was going on, and the moment that horse carriage turned around, she started crying,” Jami said. “She spent the entire day with him.” Despite T. Vonderschmidt’s love for Perry, their relationship has been tumultuous, at times. “[When she first started], she thought that she could force the horse to what she wanted him to do, instead of working like a team, but a hundred pound girl is not going to overpower a thirteen hundred and fifty pound horse,” J. Vondershmidt said. Kylie Fowler, Vonderschmidt’s coach, remembers how different she was when Fowler began working with her. “I have gotten to see Teri grow from a hot headed, pessimistic adolescent into a confident young woman,” Fowler said. Such discipline is required for such a dangerous sport. “Our sport is a lifestyle that is affected by everything we do,” Fowler said. “A rider must have ample strength along with delicacy to both dominate and support an animal ten times our own size.” Working alongside an animal with its own mind adds another level of danger. “I know people who have broken their necks doing this, and many of Teri’s friends have had broken bones, bumps and bruises,” J. Vonderschmidt said. For T. Vonderschmidt the danger is well worth it. “[I love] the thrill of pushing the level of my comfort zone,” T. Vonderschmidt said. In spite of the danger, J. Vonderschmidt has enjoyed watching her daughter compete. “It’s wonderful time that I get to spend with her. [As long as she does this] I’ll be on the rail watching,” J. Vonderschmidt said. “I can’t protect her forever.” ]]> Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:43:41 GMT