Ever since junior Ashley Flanagan was a young girl, she dreamed of riding horses. After growing up hearing of her moms experiences riding when she was young, all Flanagan wanted was to ride a horse herself. When she was four, her dream came true. She was taken to a nearby barn and rode a horse for the first time.

“I have always loved [horseback riding] since I can remember,” Flanagan said. “I had begged my mom to take me riding for the longest time and when she finally took me to a nearby barn and I loved every minute of it.”

Shortly after learning to ride, Flanagan began to participate in horse jumping competitions. Currently she competes in hunter jumpers both in state and national.

“I compete at the 3′ level and next year will proceed to the 3’6 Junior Hunter & Equitation divisions which is the highest junior level and the most competitive,” Flanagan said. “I compete about 2 times a month depending on where we’re going and how many weeks we stay for. I have become the person I am today because of all the experiences and people I’ve worked with and my trainer. Some of the largest and most recent shows [I competed in] include the Winter Equestrian Festival which is held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, [and] the Kentucky Horse Park including US National Pony Finals.”

According to Flanagan, in a competition there are six classes in each division, with riders placed first through eighth. The rider who obtains the most points of wins ends up Division Champion.

“I am fortunate to have the great horses I do and to be as successful as I have been,” Flanagan said. “In the last 5 years I have won over 8 or 9 Year End Championships, [which are] the most wins in-circuit for my division over the whole season. [Some Year End Championships I’ve won] include Reserve High Point Horse of the Year twice in a row, including my Medal Finals win in 2012.”

After starting off riding her trainers horses, in fifth grade Flanagan got a horse of her own named Prince, who she still competes with today along with her two other horses each in a different division and height. Through owning and riding horses, Flanagan acknowledges the incredible creatures that they are.

“[Horses are] not anything like a typical pet,” Flanagan said. “They are big animals but they are very delicate. Any little thing can make them ‘lame,’ such as an injury to the foot or pulling a tendon, just like any athlete. They have a complete mind of their own so some are stubborn, some spook at things, but they are super sweet and affectionate, each horse obviously different. The trouble with a large animal is you have to make sure you don’t let him think he can boss you around. Our horses get daily supplements, chiropractic work, massages and injections because jumping is hard on them and they are real athletes.”

Through all the years training and competing, Flanagan appreciates the work she has put into riding and feels she has gotten more out of life because of it.

I love the goal setting and hard work towards success aspect of [riding],” Flanagan said. “I work very hard and devote most of my time to training. I’ve learned that things can get hard and may be frustrating at times but when it all pays off in the end, there’s no better feeling.”