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BRONSON — Graduating Bronson senior Ava Hathaway could have gone a couple of different routes following her time in high school. She was one of the better cross country runners in the area once again this season and helped the Bronson hoops team to another regional appearance this past winter.
But her love for horses eventually won out. It's been a big part of her life for as long as she can remember and because of that love, Hathaway decided it was the only route to go. Starting next school year, Hathaway will continue her academic and equestrian careers at the University of Georgia in Athens.
"Honestly, it's something I got into when I could barely walk, something I grew up with," Hathaway said of how her love for equestrian riding started. "There's really nothing I love more than horses."
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Hathaway's career in the horse industry is a little like athletics in high school, at least in the fact that she has a schedule of events. She is a part of the American Quarter Horse Association circuit, showing all over the country — with quite a bit of time spent in Georgia, Florida and Oklahoma City. While it can certainly be a time-consuming sport, Hathaway said her ability and talent to pay attention to detail while getting better has helped.
After all, she will be attending university five states, and 12 hours of drive time, away because of it. She's earned that next part of her life through meets on the circuit, where college coaches of equestrian teams recruit just like any other sport. Hathaway said she also spent time at camps and had college visits, as well.
Meets are comprised of the student-athletes riding horses and competing in events. Hathaway said a couple of big reasons she decided to continue down this road was due to the love of the animals and her competitiveness. While it might not be a basketball or cross country course, it's still a competitive atmosphere.
At the collegiate level, Hathaway will ride in meets with the school's horses. Meets consist of warmups and often times, the student-athletes are matched up against opponents riding the same horse in competition. This will help showcase which is better and earns more points throughout the matchup.
There are typically five riders at the college events competing in four separate disciplines. Hathaway said that fact really helps level the playing field, so to speak.
"I think one thing that is good for me is my trainer has been working with me on several horses," she said. "She's preparing me, so I'm grateful for that."
When it comes to her studies, Hathaway said that was a no-brainer for her. She plans to student animal sciences and eventually become a veterinarian like her mom.
"I think I was destined for that, like I probably spent more time in the clinic than I did in my own house when I was group up," Hathaway said with a smile.
At Georgia, she felt like she was at home. Hathaway said she loves the coaching staff for the Bulldogs and really struck a connection with their values. It was, as she said, simply a great fit and one too good to pass.
It won't be an easy transition, however. Bronson has always been home for Hathaway and she knows when the time comes, it will be difficult to move away from family and friends. But she's also excited for the opportunity.
"It's gonna be heartbreaking to leave. I love my teammates at Georgia and I know a lot of the girls on the circuit who have been recruited and I have competed against," she said. "I think this opportunity is great. It's gonna be nerve-wracking, but it's an excited nerve-wracking. Change in any form can be hard, it'll be an adjustment but I'm excited for it, too."
She will also leave behind arguably her best friend and show horse, Boo.
"My current horse is my best friend, that bond is very important," she said. "Trusting in your companion is a big deal. It's not just an animal."
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Bronson's Ava Hathaway to compete at University of Georgia
Continue reading...
But her love for horses eventually won out. It's been a big part of her life for as long as she can remember and because of that love, Hathaway decided it was the only route to go. Starting next school year, Hathaway will continue her academic and equestrian careers at the University of Georgia in Athens.
"Honestly, it's something I got into when I could barely walk, something I grew up with," Hathaway said of how her love for equestrian riding started. "There's really nothing I love more than horses."
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Hathaway's career in the horse industry is a little like athletics in high school, at least in the fact that she has a schedule of events. She is a part of the American Quarter Horse Association circuit, showing all over the country — with quite a bit of time spent in Georgia, Florida and Oklahoma City. While it can certainly be a time-consuming sport, Hathaway said her ability and talent to pay attention to detail while getting better has helped.
After all, she will be attending university five states, and 12 hours of drive time, away because of it. She's earned that next part of her life through meets on the circuit, where college coaches of equestrian teams recruit just like any other sport. Hathaway said she also spent time at camps and had college visits, as well.
Meets are comprised of the student-athletes riding horses and competing in events. Hathaway said a couple of big reasons she decided to continue down this road was due to the love of the animals and her competitiveness. While it might not be a basketball or cross country course, it's still a competitive atmosphere.
At the collegiate level, Hathaway will ride in meets with the school's horses. Meets consist of warmups and often times, the student-athletes are matched up against opponents riding the same horse in competition. This will help showcase which is better and earns more points throughout the matchup.
There are typically five riders at the college events competing in four separate disciplines. Hathaway said that fact really helps level the playing field, so to speak.
"I think one thing that is good for me is my trainer has been working with me on several horses," she said. "She's preparing me, so I'm grateful for that."
When it comes to her studies, Hathaway said that was a no-brainer for her. She plans to student animal sciences and eventually become a veterinarian like her mom.
"I think I was destined for that, like I probably spent more time in the clinic than I did in my own house when I was group up," Hathaway said with a smile.
At Georgia, she felt like she was at home. Hathaway said she loves the coaching staff for the Bulldogs and really struck a connection with their values. It was, as she said, simply a great fit and one too good to pass.
It won't be an easy transition, however. Bronson has always been home for Hathaway and she knows when the time comes, it will be difficult to move away from family and friends. But she's also excited for the opportunity.
"It's gonna be heartbreaking to leave. I love my teammates at Georgia and I know a lot of the girls on the circuit who have been recruited and I have competed against," she said. "I think this opportunity is great. It's gonna be nerve-wracking, but it's an excited nerve-wracking. Change in any form can be hard, it'll be an adjustment but I'm excited for it, too."
She will also leave behind arguably her best friend and show horse, Boo.
"My current horse is my best friend, that bond is very important," she said. "Trusting in your companion is a big deal. It's not just an animal."
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Bronson's Ava Hathaway to compete at University of Georgia
Continue reading...
