Student-Athlete Jumping to New Heights

by Carolyn Melody '25

Time, balance, and dedication are critical characteristics of a student-athlete. With this in mind, it is a daily challenge for students to manage their academics and athletics. The stakes are further heightened when there is an equine athlete involved. Although equestrian sports are not as traditional as soccer or football for high school students, there are incredible benefits to being a young equestrian.

In addition to physically training themselves to reach peak athletic performance, they must also ensure that their equine partner is at their best. High school Junior Mackenzie O’Connor knows firsthand what it takes to be a competitive athlete while balancing her academics, athletics, and social life. Although she is forced to compromise traditional high school experiences, in order to be successful in the ring, she would not trade the opportunity for the world. 

Photo courtesy of Mackenzie O'Connor

 “It's a really subjective sport and you really can't let that get to you. It's a sport based on someone's opinion, and you can't let their opinions stop you if you really love it.”
Even when she is away, Mackenzie must find time to complete her assignments. Fortunately, she is able to work closely with her teachers to find ways to accommodate to her unusual student-athlete schedule. During the week she tries to complete all of her work so it is easier when she is at a show, but sometimes this poses a challenge due to her rigorous training schedule. 

At just two years old, Mackenzie was encouraged to begin horseback riding by her mother. When questioned why she got Mackenzie involved with riding at such a young age, she said “I wanted my daughter to receive  the incredible lessons and feel the beautiful connections that come through horseback riding.” Other parents agree with Mackenzie's mom that there are amazing benefits and according to The Plaid Horse Magazine “It can help you improve your mental health [and provide] the feeling of relaxation.” 

There are also a lot of physical benefits such as ”flexibility and circulation,...muscle tone and strength,...[and] balance and coordination.” In an effort to get more engaged in the equestrian world and absorb these benefits, Mackenzie decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and start attending hunter-horse shows. This discipline of horseback riding focuses on the image created by the horse and rider. 

The judge also looks to examine how both athletes are able to execute a course of jumps working in unison. When reflecting on these early showing days, Mackenzie wishes she could tell herself that.
 
Fortunately, nearly fifteen years later, Mackenzie continues to experience the same joy she once felt as a little girl. Nowadays she has more responsibility than when she was younger as she chases success in the ring and in the high school classroom.

This year alone, Mackenzie has traveled to various states such as Ohio, Florida, and New Jersey for horse shows. Although these are amazing travel experiences, she says that “ sometimes it's hard for me to make up the work since I miss a lot of school for horse shows.” 
Before a show, Mackenzie practices nearly every day to ensure she and her horse are prepared. Her typical schedule usually consists of going to the gym before the sun rises, going to school for eight hours, and then going to the barn until after dark. 

When she is finished taking care of her horse for the night, Mackenzie drives over an hour back home to eat dinner, complete her homework, and sleep. While most people would opt to ride at a barn closer to their house, she knows that Megghan Watts, the owner, and trainer at Heritage Acres Stables in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, will put her in the best position for success.

Her trainer Megghan is “proud of how hard she works and recognizes that her daily routine is not for the faint of heart.'' These days are not easy but she knows that they are necessary to achieve her goals in the ring and her career. One day Mackenzie sees herself working alongside Megghan Watts and becoming a professional equestrian who travels the country or possibly the world going to horse shows and training the next generation. 

Through this experience, Mackenzie has developed amazing characteristics that will help her as she comes to a crossroads in her life, after high school. When times get hard, she thinks about the “ feeling of winning.” Although this does not happen every day, she is grateful when her hard work pays off. When asked what makes it all worth it, she simply stated that “nothing compares to winning a competitive class with your horse you love, surrounded by the people that helped you get there.”