With the soaring popularity of NCAA equestrian competition and the increasing pool of talent emerging from this sport, it is not surprising that this year was one of the most exciting and impressive to date. GoHorseShow talked to five horsemanship riders who had an amazing year including All-Americans Cary Nowacek, Megan Hawkins, Katy Krshka, and Johnna Letchworth as well as Paige Stawicki, who ended the year on a high note when she was recently awarded the MVP in Horsemanship at the National Championships held in Waco, Texas. Nowacek was also a member of the Texas A&M team who won the overall national title as well as the western title. Let’s find out more about their incredible year of competition.
Carey Nowacek (pictured right)–This World and Congress Champion Horsemanship exhibitor and Texas A&M team member says that this year has been the toughest year of competition so far in her college career. Her proudest moment was when the Aggies beat Oklahoma State University in the Western National Finals.
“They are a tough team and we had just lost to them two weeks before, so we were really focused and rode the best we could,” Nowacek says. “Being on a team has taught me so much. It is so rewarding to be able to go out and show for something bigger than yourself,” she says. “Your whole team counts on you and we all count on each other. I have really learned so much about horses too. We all come from different backgrounds and training styles, so I have so much fun talking with my teammates about how we should ride one horse or what someone thinks would work better. The team is amazing and we are like a big family!”
Carey said her biggest challenge this year came during the entire Spring semester. “I went undefeated in the fall with five MVPs. Our first show of the spring semester, I lost my matchup and got in a little bit of a slump and all I could blame was myself. I really had to dig deep and work hard with my coaches and trainer to get back on top and out of my own head,” she recalls.
Her advice for riders wanting to be successful is to work hard. “I know people say that a lot, but working hard means more than some people think. Also, I recommend riding different horses whenever you can and as many as you can. That is what has helped me so much. When I get the chance I go to Brad Jewett’s (her trainer) and ride everything. Getting the feel of different horses is what you have to do in this sport, so starting early will only improve your chances of being successful.”
Paige Stawicki–This University of Georgia team member and former Number 1 APHA 14-18 competitor, quickly made a name for herself in her first year of NCAA competition.
“I came in with absolutely no expectations. I remember feeling overwhelmed to just be traveling to our first meet at A&M as a demo rider. I had no idea that I would soon become part of the regular show string,” she remembers. “My proudest accomplishment was by far winning the MVP honors at Nationals. There are so many talented riders out there that I still look up to, so to know that I am able to compete on their level is still surreal. Another memorable win was my MVP at TCU. I grew up riding with a bunch of the girls on their team, so that meet reminded me of showing at past paint shows. Old rivalries always make competing more fun.”
Stawicki says that competing for a team is so different from the individual competition on the horse show circuit, but at the same time it’s very rewarding.
“I remember my mom running down to hug me after my high score and point ride against OSU at Nationals. She looked at me and asked why I wasn’t more excited, and I told her that, ‘My win means nothing if our team doesn’t win. My ride might have been good, but we weren’t in the clear yet.’ That was when I knew I was riding for my team and no longer for myself.”
There have been several challenges this year for Stawicki, but one of the hardest was learning how to adjust her riding to fit each horse,” Paige says. “Four minutes isn’t enough time to change a horse, so instead, you learn to change yourself.”
Katy Krshka–This World Champion exhibitor and OSU team member is a rare talent who was named an All-American in both Horsemanship and Reining. Krshka said her proudest moment this year was when her team won the Big 12 Championship.
“It took every single persons’ point and score (Western and English) to pull out the win,” she says. “Also, traveling to the other schools has made some priceless memories that will never be forgotten. The camaraderie within this team is fun and bus rides get pretty entertaining at times!”
One of the biggest challenges this year for Krshka has been adjusting to the variety of horses they have to ride.
“Even though I grew up riding different horses, it is very different in a show situation. The pressure of getting your point and the short amount of time you have to connect with a horse tends to get some nerves going. I’ve learned something from every single horse I’ve ridden and just try and apply it to my next rides,” she confidently says.
Her advice to future girls is stay true to their basics and constantly think about being a better teammate and horseman.
“Take each ride for what it is and make the best out of what you have. The biggest thing to keep up is your confidence. It is really easy to let your confidence get low when you don’t do well, but each ride is a new one and you have the ability to change it,” Katy says. “I’ve been beyond blessed with the teammates and coaches I have and can’t thank them enough.”
Megan Hawkins— In her first year of competition with the Georgia Bulldogs, Megan Hawkins started off with a bang. Some of her proudest moments were being named an All-American, MVP at the SEC Championships, Student Athlete of the Month, and being name MVP – Western at the UGA equestrian banquet.
“I did not know what to expect coming in,” Hawkins told GoHorseShow. “I had so much fun and I am thankful for everyone that has helped me accomplish everything I have done, especially my coaches.”
The biggest challenge for Hawkins was managing her time during the first semester. Megan transferred from the college of Central Florida this year.
“I was used to scheduling my classes around the horse shows and spending time at the barn with my parents,” she explains. “That quickly changed with scheduled riding times, workouts, and classes five days a week. During Spring semester, I got the hang of the schedule and now I feel like the year has flown by.”
Her favorite win this year was when she drew a tough horse with a difficult lead change.
“Right before I went I talked to the reining girls on the team. They gave me some last minute advice, and everyone ensured me I would be fine. I ended up have a great lead change and winning MVP that day.”
Another memory that stands out for Megan was a ride she had at Nationals. “All the UGA girls and parents were in the stands while I was showing. I was having a great pattern and I could hear everyone cheering. Once I finished, I came out to a very happy (Coach) Mary Meneely and everyone in the stands was still cheering. It was just a great feeling to have so much support from my team.”
Johnna Letchworth–The University of South Carolina All-American had an outstanding year, with a team that surprised many and put them in the record books. Letchworth said her proudest moment was when her team won the SEC Championship beating heavyweights, Auburn and Georgia. Letchworth says that the team arrived in Georgia on a Thursday night and the next day they had to ride against Auburn for the second time in the semester.
“We came out ready to win and defeated them 12-6, the same score from our previous meet on February 25th. We had the same game plan for the next day against number one Georgia,” Johnna says. “We fought till the very end, and when the final scores came up in the Reining, we had realized we had won the Championship–the first time South Carolina has brought that trophy home in the ten years of the tournament. I think this win was so special because the entire team came together and we had worked so hard. It also was pretty cool that we are the second team to ever defeat Georgia on their home turf.”
Letchworth says that being on a team is a huge challenge. “As a team we really grew together, we had a couple of bumps in the road but never let it get us down. We like to say ‘family’ instead of ‘team’ when we are meeting before or after a competition. That’s really what we are, we are there together through everything and we put each other first. It has helped me grow up in so many different aspects, and I am so thankful for that.”
Johnna said that hard work and dedication are two of the most important parts of being successful.
“You have to make time for the team. No matter how low you think things can get, you must stay positive and believe in each other.”
