Emily Chapman is an 18-year-old from Tucson, Arizona who will be attending the University of Kentucky in the Spring of 2013. She is a member of the three-gaited section of the 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team.

There is a misconception that equitation is easy, and that the riders who show in this division simply “sit pretty” on a horse. So people often ask why I chose to compete in the equitation division over other divisions. Well, because one of the primary goals of equitation is to make our riding look flawless and effortless, we equitation riders take that as somewhat of a compliment.

Even so, this is an incorrect perception of the equitation discipline. That is why the Saddleseat World Cup Team is such an amazing opportunity for equitation and performance riders alike. It allows riders to show their skill and ability in riding and performing workouts on unfamiliar horses, thus demonstrating a great deal of horsemanship. It gives us something to work towards beyond shows, in hopes of being able to represent our country in competition.

My road to becoming a World Cup team member began in 2009, when I decided to apply for the 2010 team. I did not make the tryouts, but I was not discouraged. I knew that I would get my shot if I worked hard enough. That drive sparked me to want to become a more serious competitor. In the winter of 2010 I moved my horse to Kentucky and I began training with Cindy Boel of Zubrod Stables. She is a tremendous advocate of the World Cup and has coached riders on five World Cup Teams. She has helped me to be my absolute best, and has helped me to reach my biggest accomplishments.

In 2011, Brent Jacobs, the current five-gaited coach, was trying to field a team of riders to travel to South Africa for the Invitational Competition in December. With the support of my family and trainer, I was selected as a team member, and both three- and five-gaited teams returned home with the gold. After my experience in South Africa, being a member of the 2012 World Cup Team seemed something that wasn’t as far out of reach as it was when I applied in 2009. After applying shortly after my return form South Africa I received a letter informing me that I had been selected to try
out. My mother and I traveled to William Woods University for the Selection Trials, where I was named the 2012 Three Gaited Team Alternate. Shortly after, a team member was accepted into a college that was unexpected and she decided to leave the team to attend school. This gave me the opportunity to be an official team member, and the ability to compete in South Africa again this year.


2012 is my final year as a junior exhibitor, which also means it is my final year as an equitation rider. To be able to finish my equitation career in the World Cup Competition with my fellow competitors and friends as a team is something that I will truly cherish for the rest of my life.