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Christian Wood displays her Georgian Grande Horse, Windzor, during a recent riding competition. Wood competes in area events and will attend the Equine Affaire in Ohio April 10.
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Manchester resident Christian Wood has been selected to present her Georgian Grande horse at the 15th annual Equine Affaire April 10.
The two-day event caters to horse enthusiasts and features an array of clinics, seminars, demonstrations and a horse-related trade show in Columbus, Ohio.
"Equine Affaire is all about opportunities," said Eugenia Snyder, Equine Affaire founder. "Our goals in producing the event are to provide high-quality educational opportunities, to promote communication and cooperation within our diverse national horse industry, to expand the horizons of current horse people, and to provide a comprehensive and professional introduction to the world of horses for non-horse people."
Wood, a 13-year-old straight-A freshman at Manchester High School, said she was handpicked by the president of the International Georgian Grande Horse Registry to represent the breed at the event.
"I was totally surprised," she said. "I am very excited to have this opportunity."
Wood is the youngest representative in her category to represent the horse.
"Most of the other participants are in their late teens and early 20s," Wood's mother, Sharon said.
Wood said though there is no pressure to compete at the event, she will be demonstrating horse jumping and other techniques as well a conducting a presentation on the animal.
"This is a very young breed that has only been presented at the show the past three years," she said.
Wood said her love of horses began at a very young age after a family trip to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.
"I instantly fell in love with them," she said. " Its amazing how they connect with you."
However, Wood did not obtain her own horse until the family moved to Manchester a few years ago.
"We told her she couldn't have one until we moved out to the country, so when we moved out here, she got her horse," Sharon Wood said.
Despite only riding for three years, Wood said she feels she has formed a bond with her 5-year-old horse named Windzor.
"You form a bond with these animals and they trust you," she said. "It seems like they understand what you tell them."
When she isn't in school, Wood said she can often be found tending to her horse and preparing for competitions.
"I'm out there six days a week and I ride for about three hours a day," she said.
Last year, Wood competed in 14 shows and placed as one of the top three winners 70 percent of the time, she said.
"We're already getting ready for this year's show season starting with the two-day events," she said.
Sharon Wood said she credits the family's next-door neighbor for fostering her daughter's equestrian talents.
"When we moved here, she offered to teach her if she helped clean the horse stalls," Wood said. "She was out there every day, even if she was sick. Eight months later, our neighbor saw the commitment Christian had to the horses. She taught her everything she knows."
Wood said Christian's trainer, Jean Kelly, taught her the finer riding techniques she uses in competition.
Over the years, Wood said she is always amazed at the myriad accomplishments her daughter has achieved.
"It's hard to put into words what you feel to see your child excel," she said. "To see your kids accomplish something great in a small amount of time, you can't help but stand back and think 'Wow, I can't believe they are doing this.'
"She amazes me beyond belief."
Editor Daniel Lai can be reached at 428-8173 or dlai@heritage.com.
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