I cannot remember a time in my life that I have not been in love with horses. It all began when my parents signed me up at age 6 for a 1 day horse camp. Soon afterwards I was taking lessons regularly and fell in love with not only the horses but the sport of competitive riding. I started showing at age 7 in the short-stirrup class. I am still riding at the same showbarn with my original trainer, Shannon Cunneff, but as I have matured as a rider I have moved through the competitive ranks and am currently showing in the Large 3’6” Junior Hunters and Low-Child Jumpers levels.
Some of my competitive accomplishments include 2017 HITS Hunter 1 Circuit Champion, 2017 Marshall & Sterling Finals Reserve Champion, 2019 HITS Novice Equitation Circuit Champion, 2021 7th in the East Coast Junior Hunter finals large 3’3” 15 and under, 2021 Zone 2 finals Reserve Champion, 2021 Zone 2 4th overall in the 3’3” Large Junior Hunters,and 2022 IEA Zone 11 High Point rider,2022 World Equestrian Center Champion and classic winner in the 3’3” Large Junior Hunters, 2022 HITS Champion and classic winner in the 3’3” Large Junior Hunters. I am now competing in my first year of the jumpers and working towards top national placements in the 3’6” Large Junior Hunters. Currently I am getting ready to compete at East Coast junior hunter finals 2023.
In my sophomore year I transitioned to an online high school program to enable me to be able to train, travel and compete in the A/AA Hunter Jumper Circuit. I am finishing my junior year at K-12 private academy. In my junior year I will be taking AP and Honors classes. When I am not riding and working at my home barn, I am employed at a local barn caring for their boarding horses.
As I look forward to going to college, I would like to combine my academic studies with my passion for competitive horseback riding. I know I can be a key member of a college level Equestrian team and am really looking forward to this facet of college life. I have worked very hard and am dedicated to the sport of horseback competitive riding and cannot wait to commit to a college level team.
~ Winter Tietjen