By Andy Tabor
In a sport of extreme concentration and mental prowess, one CHS student exemplifies what it takes to be no. 1. In the nation.
Junior Kayla Briel is the best rider in her age group of 16-17, and looks forward to be a top contender for a long time.
At 6 years old, Briel was sent to a horse riding camp for one week and was not too impressed with the sport. Although nothing clicked for her then, she soon realized horse riding would be intertwined with her life for years to come. Her family bought a pony and the rest is history.
“When I was 12 we bought our pony, [Sky], he was terribly technically and was actually abused,” Briel said. “It is somewhat of a miracle that he actually was able to be trained.”
That same abused and technically challenged pony is now ranked first in the nation by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and Briel is reaping the rewards.
“Sky and Kayla have a connection that any rider would dream to have with their horse,” trainer Will Roberts said. “Sky and Kayla were made for each other, and no team works better than they do.”
In equestrian, there is a division for speed and a division for technicality. Briel dominates both. She also has a horse named Scout who is ranked sixth nationally. Both of Briel’s prized possessions live in a barn in Houston with trainers hired to keep up with the horses.
“Every Saturday my family and I drive up to Houston so that I can ride and train with my pony and horse,” Briel said. “This sport is very time consuming but all the time I put in is definitely worth the winning outcome.”
Briel has an incredibly difficult time balancing school work, equestrian and her social life.
“Kayla has been able to stay on the top tier academically even though she misses some school,” AP U.S. history teacher Jim Griffin said. “She is a great student and an extremely talented rider.”
After school Briel meets with tutors who help her keep up with her studies because she misses school often to attend different riding competitions.
As for a social life?
“I value my social life very highly,” Briel said. “It is something that I can’t live without even though I have a big class load.”
For the number one equestrian prospect in the nation, colleges are hoping at the chance to woo the talented Briel to ride for them. Auburn, Texas A&M and Georgia, which are all top contenders in the national equestrian scene, are vying for Briel’s heart. Auburn seems like a front runner because they are the current no. 1, but don’t be surprised if Georgia and A&M try and step up their game.
“If I choose to ride in college then it would have to be for a full ride scholarship,” Briel said. “If for some reason I choose not to ride I will try and pursue an academic scholarship or an athletic scholarship.”
In track, Briel was a top runner as a freshman and sophomore but decided not to run this season. Track clutters up a schedule already bursting at the seams with academic advancement and equestrian training.
Another interesting storyline for the successful Briel is how she is the most successful rider from a state not known for its equestrian prowess. The best riders normally come from the northeast, Florida or California, which have better conditions and weather than the normally hot and dry Texas.
“It is pretty unheard of to have the top rider live and train in Texas,” Briel said. “I guess it’s just another thing I have had to overcome to be where I am today.”
Her coach has noticed Briel’s sheer talent for the sport even with a late start opposed to other riders.
“As a rider, Kayla is a young talent and has a natural seat and eye for jumps that you are either born with or you aren’t,” Roberts said. “She got a late start at this level but has made up for it by leaps and bounds, and it’s uncommon for a rider to ascend as quickly as Kayla has.”
Briel’s success shouldn’t end soon. She hopes to be a competing Olympian in Rio De Janeiro in 2016. If she successfully reaches that goal, then a gold medal may not be far out of reach for this extremely talented young rider.
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