Lake Land College Equestrian Rider Trots Through To Semi-finals

Lake Land College equestrian rider Morgan Walker, Altamont, recently competed in both regionals and semi-finals of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

Lake Land College equestrian rider Morgan Walker, Altamont, recently competed in both regionals and semi-finals of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Of 10,000 riders nationwide, Walker was one of 333 riders to advance to semi-finals.

In February, Walker placed second out of 10 in the Walk-Trot division at IHSA regionals in Bloomington, Ind. allowing her to advance to semi-finals in Utah in March.

“I pushed myself very hard for this so it’s really cool knowing I am one of only 333 riders to make it to semi-finals,” Walker said.

Having no previous experience showing, Walker began the year at the beginner level. However, her talent and drive to improve her riding skills by putting in up to nine hours of practice per week, quickly earned her a position at the intermediate level.

An accumulation of 36 points throughout the season are needed in order to make it to regionals in the western discipline/riding style that the Lake Land College equestrian group competes in.

Walker began riding at the age of 8. Yet a fear of riding suddenly took ahold of her after she was involved in a traumatic incident while riding. This incident left her with a broken hip and arm and unable to walk for one year. Despite her harrowing experience, when the Lake Land College Ag Division announced its new equestrian group in December of 2017, Walker decided to overcome her fear by returning to the saddle and joining the group.

“I was definitely timid when I started and I made sure to talk about my experience with everyone, but I knew that being able to ride multiple horses would help me overcome that unwanted fear I had been holding onto,” Walker said.

Walker anticipates new talent for the 2019-2020 equestrian group. “Our only returning rider will likely do a very good job next year. She has a lot of potential.”

In addition to her interest in horses and furthering her riding sills, Walker is thankful for the opportunities that the Lake Land College Equestrian Riders has given her. She will graduate from Lake Land College in May and transfer to Illinois State University where she plans to continue her passion for riding by joining the ISU Equestrian Club and Team.