The sound of hooves hitting the ground reverberates within her ears as she crosses the finish line for a first place victory.
“I first started horseback riding when I was seven and started competing when I was twelve,” Elizabeth Galloway ‘25 said. “I have been motivated to keep doing it because there is always room to grow and learn.”
Galloway competes in horseback riding outside of GA. She has won numerous awards at a national level, namely being the Reserve Champion at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, which is a large horse expo and competition located in Ohio.
The nature in which Galloway started horseback riding is very interesting.
“My friend had a birthday party at the barn I ride at, and I kept going from there,” Galloway said.
Over the summer, Galloway competed at the National Finals of the IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) and came home with a first place victory.
“When they announced my score and it was the highest so far, I was so excited and was listening to the rest of the people in my class’s scores and really hoping mine remained the highest,” Galloway said. “I was so happy when I did end up in first because I have been in IEA since 6th grade and I had been working so hard to be a national champion.”
Galloway’s success at horseback riding influences her as a person.
“It has definitely made me a more patient person and taught me hard work,” Galloway said. “There is also an element of problem-solving because you are working with an animal you cannot speak to.”
One of her teammates, Zara Albrecht ‘28, who rides at the same barn as Galloway, has been a witness to her constant success.
“It’s been really great being on the same team as Liz. She’s had a lot of accomplishments; she was just Reserve Champion at the Congress, and I really look up to that,” Albrecht said.
It is clear that Galloway is a role model for many younger riders.
“She’s an amazing teammate, and she’s so supportive,” Albrecht said.
Galloway is also extremely grateful for her recognition of the hard work she has consistently shown.
“My accomplishments mean a lot to me because it shows how hard I have worked to reach where I am. It also shows how much time and dedication goes into each competition,” Galloway said.
Looking toward the future, there are many options for Galloway. She plans to continue riding, however, there are different opportunities for riding engagement in college.
“It really depends on where I go to college. I will either do it as a club sport, which a lot of schools offer, or I will go to a school that has horse training as a BA,” Galloway said. “Either way, I definitely want to continue it in my adult years.”
Whichever direction Galloway decides to go in college, it is clear that horseback riding will continue to be a part of her life.