PHOTO BY BETHANY P PHOTOGRAPHY
Blood, Sweat & High School: One Wellington Teen’s Determination To Be The Best
Equitation Excellence BY HOLLY JOHNSON
Equestrian sport is a total immersion endeavor. Early mornings, late nights, long days — a true passion for the horse usually is accompanied by a complete takeover of resources, from time and emotion to sanity and pocketbook. And this all or nothing mentality usually starts young, as it did for Wellington’s Xavier Gomez, a 16-year-old hunter jumper rider. From his early years, Xavier was completely focused on horses, preferring toys, games, movies and more with an
equestrian theme. Now a junior in high school and also pursuing a modeling career, his schedule still is all about horses, and this fall his determination to top the equitation divisions is what’s fueling the horsey hard work. Equitation is a sport about the rider. Judges mark for position, fluidity, poise and effectiveness in the saddle over hunter and jumper style courses. The horse obviously adds to his rider’s flair by jumping with scope, accepting the aids, and moving with grace and preci-
sion. To attain a nationally successful level of equitation performance, many hours must be logged in the saddle. Xavier’s routine reflects this level of dedication under the guidance of trainer Kobi Rhodes of Kobi’s Place Stables in Wellington. “We ride every morning, from Tuesday to Sunday,” he said. “Kobi places a lot of importance on quality flatwork, as well as over fences. If my horse or I am stiff in one direction, we do exercises to supple both of us so that we can jump and work together better.” wellington the magazine | november 2020 71