2002 Northeast Junior/Young Rider Dressage Championships

Rachel Chowanec Wins Training Level Championship

The youngest rider to win a Championship Division was eight-year-old Rachel Chowanec of Columbia, Connecticut. Riding her pony Peek-a-Boots, Rachel won the Piaget Training Level A Division Championship For Riders 11 Years Old And Younger. Rachel's family was there to cheer her on - her mother, Chandra, who is also her trainer and operates a horse farm; her dad Rick, and her younger brothers William, 6, and Evan, nine months.

Rachel has been riding ever since she can remember. Chandra said that her daughter has always loved horses and gravitated towards them at home. "She always had a big interest. The only thing she ever did that was dangerous was get right under their feet. She always wanted to be right there." Rachel said that what she likes about horses is, "They're soft," and she added, "They're pretty."

Last year Rachel also started training with Lendon Gray and has been to Gleneden for lessons about eight times. Rachel has also attended six of Lendon's young rider clinics during the past two years. Chandra pointed out that when Rachel was four years old, she went to a seminar given by Lendon and that the youngster sat enthralled for two hours listening to the speech. "I asked her if she remembered the lady that she sat and listened to all that time and she said 'yes'," relates Chandra.

Though it would appear that riding comes easily to her, Rachel states, "I work really, really hard." And the hardest part of riding that she's had to learn? "Be on the correct diagonal."

Chandra added, "That's why she likes to do sitting trot all the time!"

Peek-a-Boots is a six-year-old Welsh/Thoroughbred mare that earned her name for her markings - she has three boots. "She's missing one," explained Chandra with a smile.

Chandra bought the pony as an investment when Rachel was eight months old. When she was three years old, Rachel's first pony died of an aneurysm. At the time, she was helping her mother train 'Boots' and Chandra recalls that Rachel had already started a relationship with the mare. "She was definitely falling in love with her when we were training her," said Chandra. "When her pony died, 'Santa' bought the pony for us and Rachel received her as a Christmas present."

The best thing Boots did at this show was not to buck Rachel off, Chandra said with a laugh, adding that the pony had initiated the unplanned dismount at previous shows.

How does it feel to be a Gold Medalist at eight years old? "I feel proud of myself. I feel happy," said Rachel. "I'm proud of my pony." And Rachel is very specific about why she likes this discipline, "I like dressage because it makes your horse listen to you."