Prince George equestrian rider Maeghan Forster galloped into the arena on the weekend, beginning her quest to qualify for the 2012 B.C. Summer Games in Surrey.
Forster took part in the Spruce Ridge Pony Club event at the Prince George Agriplex, May 11-13, which served as a qualifier for the summer games and the B.C. Heritage Circuit qualifier. The 16-year-old dressage competitor rode two ponies, Checo and Wolf Man Jack, in order to give herself ample opportunity to qualify for the games, July 19-20.
"At first it was super stressful getting ready and I was like, 'Oh my god, I can't do this,'" said Forster. "But now I'm super excited and really proud of both my boys."
It was Forster's first attempt to qualify for the summer games. An athlete must have a qualification score in two different competitions to be eligible for the games.
The Grade 11 student at College Heights secondary had only a month and a half to prepare for the competition after suffering a painful injury while riding in late 2011.
"I was riding a bigger horse on the jumping course and I fell off and broke my pelvis," said Forster. "I didn't know I broke it at first so I just kept riding. Then I went to the hospital and they said I broke my pelvis.
"It didn't really hurt too bad because it was only a little part of the pelvis, but I wouldn't want to do it again," she added. "And, I definitely wouldn't get back on the horse right after that happens again."
In dressage each rider directs their horse through various set patterns across the arena. Forster said both her boys enjoyed being in the arena.
"Wolfie loves attention and Checo thinks he's a little stud and he prances around as soon as we get into the dressage ring," said Forster.
Susie Ramsay, coach of the Spruce Ridge club's Susie's Girls, said since Forster hopped back in the saddle they've kept the patterns simple.
"A lot of it is to just make sure she doesn't get injured again and to keep her strength up," said Ramsay. "We've got some areas to develop but a lot are already excellent."
Ramsay competed in the B.C. Summer Games when she was 17 and is excited to see three of her students on the verge of qualifying.
Her other two students, Shailyn McCaulley and Kimberly Garvin of Quesnel, are trying to make the grade to represent Zone 8 in Surrey in horse jumping. Andrea Dobbs of 100 Mile House is also a dressage contender for the summer games.
"I would say their chances of going to the summer games are high," said Ramsay.
