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An Outstanding Future Awaits Local Equestrian Sloane Colesby KRISTEN ARMSTRONG, Staff Writer |
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| Riding has always been a part
of Foxcroft School senior Sloane Coles' life. She trains at least six
times a week, and travels almost every weekend for training during the
circuit. All her hard work paid off at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament on Nov. 3, where it was announced that she ranked number one in the 2006 Bates USA Equitation Rankings, and was the first-place winner of the year-end rider and trainer awards. Coles' trainers, Frank and Stacia Madden of Beacon Hill Show Stables in Colts Neck, N.J., received a $50,000 product certificate from Bates and Weatherbeeta. As the gold-medal winner, Coles received a Bates Caprilli Close Contact Saddle, and the Horsemanship Training Session with George Morris from Jan. 15-20. “I'm really excited,” Coles said of her upcoming training session. “It'll be a great opportunity to get one-on-one time.” Coles, who is from The Plains, will be one of eight riders to travel to Wellington, Fla., for the session. “I don't know what to expect,” she said. “The group of kids is really solid, and it'll be interesting to see how everyone gets along.” She said she thinks this experience will give insight into what “reality will be like.” Opportunities to be in shows are plentiful for junior riders, but now that Coles is 18, she is no longer eligible for the junior division. She said she realizes that now her chances to ride competitively will not come as readily. Foxcroft has been a positive environment for Coles in her years as a junior rider. As part of the Exemption for Exemplary Students program, she was able to attend competitions and shows during the school year, as long as she maintained a level of academic excellence. Foxcroft was also a place for normalcy and friendship. “I have two worlds: one at school and one on the road,” she said. “At Foxcroft, I get to have a normal life, not like a lot of kids who are home-schooled. I'm lucky to get to interact with my classmates.” Coles hopes to attend Drew University next fall. She will keep training, since riding professionally is something she wants to pursue after college. Coles will be a working student for trainers John and Beezie Madden in New York, and will continue to train in New Jersey. |
 Sloane Coles is hoping to attend Drew University next fall, and will continue training in order to pursue riding professionally after college. She will be a working student for John and Beezie Madden. |