Sally Heron, head of 4 Strides Equestrian UK based in Lincolnshire, is preparing a team of skilled young barrel racers for the esteemed National Barrel Horse Association Teen and Youth World Championships in Georgia, USA. The team features notable young talents like 14-year-old Eloisa and 18-year-old Anna Turner from East Yorkshire. Sally cultivated her love for barrel racing during her time in America and is eager to guide the team against some of the finest contestants globally. Sally describes the enormity of the championship event, with over 2,500 teenagers and young adults participating over a weeklong period. “The Western approach to horse training varies greatly from the English method,” says Sally, underlining her passion for the sport. Although Eloisa’s pony, Peaches, will remain in the UK, both Eloisa and Anna will be given a single day to adapt to their new horses upon their arrival in Georgia. Despite the hurdles, Eloisa is looking forward to the opportunity and finds the sport “exhilarating”. The local equestrian community has been buzzing with supportive sentiments for the team. Sally continues to introduce more riders to this exciting sport from her base in Lincolnshire.
This story was adapted for The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.
