YOUNG EQUESTRIAN RIDERS
Sarah Tight STORY BY SYDNEY JONES | PHOTO BY GEORGIE HAMMOND
With young riders pioneering the future of equestrian sports, it is para-
mount that these athletes are in an environment that supports their devel-
opment as riders, as well as people to propel them into the next phase of their career.This is true for Sarah Tight, a 13-year-old athlete who trains with Carriage Hill Farms. Sarah has had her sights set on competing at a high level from the early age of four years old. Currently competing in the 3’-3’3 equitation, Sarah has goals to continue her growth and get to the top of the equitation divisions.Although still a young rider herself, Sarah hopes to encourage and inspire both current and future young riders in the sport. “A piece of advice I would like to share with other young athletes is to take the time to build a relationship with your horse and always have fun no matter what the outcome of your round is,” she said.
McKayla Langmeier
STORY BY ALLYSON LAGIOVANE | PHOTO BY SPORTFOT
Born and raised in East Granby, Connecticut, into a family of equestrians, McKayla Langmeier has been fully immersed in the equestrian scene her entire life. McKayla has followed in the footsteps of her parents, Linda and Kenny Langmeier, to garner many achievements by the young age of 21. McKayla attended Auburn University, where she competed on the Auburn Equestrian NCEA team from 2018-21. Approaching the end of her junior year, she made the decision to take her riding career to the next level and turn professional. Some of her top wins include the 2015 ASPCA Maclay National Championship, marking the first time a mother and daughter have both held the coveted title. 40 april 2022 | wellington the magazine
McKayla has also held top titles at events such as HITS Saugerties, Spruce Meadows in Calgary, the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-East, the Traverse City
Horse Shows and many more. McKayla continues to ride as a professional, making a name for herself as she travels across the United States with her parents and the Kelianda Farm team.