Self A Taste of Equestrian Show Jumping Ellen explains how leaping her horses over giant fences has given her all the strength of mind, body and spirit she needed for the real world. In the wake of such strides in women's sports, such as the WNBA and World Cup soccer, is a generation of young girls encouraged to participate in athletic competition rather than simply lead the fans in cheer.
Fear is an equestrian's worst enemy.
It makes for poor decisions and lack of confidence, which as in many sports, leads to danger. Not only did I become a strong and skilled athlete, I gained confidence as a person. My scholastic endeavors benefited hugely from the hours and hours I spent charting and memorizing courses, determining distances, and creating strategy. The sport taught me to communicate more clearly and efficiently, and to speak my mind in a way that is respectful as well as commanding the respect of others. I participated in many extracurricular activities, exhibited valuable leadership abilities and good sportsmanship.