TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) - In the state of Florida, there are seventeen sports that girls can participate in that the state high school sports governing body approves, sixteen for boys.
Horseback riding is not one of them, but for over a dozen riders in the Big Bend, competing against other high school students is a reality, and it's not just other riders in the state of Florida they are beating.
"It's definitely been hard," admitted Kayla Rossetti, a senior at Wakulla High School on choosing to ride. "I definitely feel like playing soccer or playing softball would have been a much easier option. I have no regrets. This is my life."
Thanks to Cavallo Farms, located just outside Tallahassee, Rossetti's dream to compete against other kids her age and represent her high school is a reality.
"We have collegiate riding in this country and it's been around for some time," said Amy Center, who is a co-owner at Cavallo Farms. "A parent was asking me, why don't they do something like that for high school kids? So we researched it, and they do!"
That organization? The Interscholastic Equestrian Association. Cavallo sponsors a Florida High and Maclay combined team, as well as the Tallahassee Riding Academy, which encompasses several schools throughout the Big Bend.
"It's fun to show you are actually doing a sport, and it's not on campus, and you can't just walk to campus and watch it," said Hayden Center, who attends Florida High.
"We have such great riders here," added Rossetti. "It's really competitive. I love being able to compete with all the different girls and the different riders the schools have to offer."
Now, Rossetti, Center, and teammate Emma Pretti will compete against different riders from across the Southeast at Zones this weekend. All three, qualified out of Regions last month and now, their sights are set on Nationals.
"Last year I went to Zones too, and hopefully I'll go to Nationals this year," said Hayden. "I didn't qualify to go to Nationals last year. It's more to do it with other girls on your team than by yourself."
"It's such an honor and I'm beyond grateful I was able to go last year," said Rossetti, who went to Nationals for jumping last season. "Hopefully I'll have the same opportunity this year."
"Parents are so excited that this is an option their kids can get involved in," added Amy. "To me, it's just fantastic. We've been at the National finals every year since we've had a team. We've had riders representing us every year."
A trend they look to continue this weekend.
