Meet our equestrians:
The English Team
Zoie Brogdan
2023
Top Placing - Reserve Champion
Going to college
Angelica Thibodeaux
2023
Joined the team
Rider
2023
Joined the team
Adrina Player
2023
Seeking new horse
Morganne Craig
2023
Top Placing -West Palms Event Champion
Sabrina Lewis
2023
Miss California
UC Berkeley Equestrian
Paris Scott
2022
Joined the team
Joslyn Kramer
2022
Joined the team
Rider
2023
Joined the team
Zoie Brogdon
FEATURED PRESS
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@iamzoienoelle
In her own words…
“I have an intense internal desire to win, because I’ve made personal sacrifices to be here. And just like that, “disadvantage” becomes “advantage,” because it gives me a competitive edge, to go further, go faster, and go fearlessly.
Despite honor and accolades, I will always see my greatest accomplishment as one moment: the first day I overcame fear and climbed atop of a horse. Kudos to 9-year-old Zoie. She made me who I am today. Few of my peers understand what I do or why. This sport is an obsession few have. When asked “What is an equestrian?” I say: a sacred relationship between human and horse. To me, horses are majestic, even spiritual. Every creature has a consciousness and is able to produce feeling and connection. I find my soul when I tap into the soul of this noble animal, and we become one. Mastering horse riding is about mastering self-discipline, non-verbal communication, leadership, and mutual respect for others. It’s about finding commonalities and bridging the gap between differences to accomplish beautiful things together.
"I compete to win, but I do this sport for what I win inside. I learn life lessons when I’m in this sacred saddle. This sport has given me more than I could ever give to it, and I can’t wait to see how it transforms my life in college.”
EQUESTRIAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
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2021 USHJA Horse of the Year CHAMPION (Zone 10)
High Children’s Jumpers (1.10m Division)
Ranked 1st (out of 224 riders)
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2021 Markel/USHJA Jumper Team Championships (Zones 9 & 10)
National Sunshine Series II (Thermal, CA)
Children’s Jumpers (1.10m – 1.15m Division)
Placement: INDIVIDUAL GOLD
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2021 Marshall & Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships
The Las Vegas National (Las Vegas, NV)
Children’s Jumpers (1.10m – 1.15m Division)
Placement: RESERVE CHAMPION
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Adrina Player
In her own words…
"Riding is fun and the connection with the horse is like none other. It soothes my spirit and calms my mind.
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Adrina Player is a 16-year-old rider who currently shows in the .65m divisions thanks to assistance from Compton Junior Equestrians and Riders United. Based out of Thousand Oaks, California, Compton Junior Equestrians and Riders United evolved out of Compton Junior Posse (CJP), a former inner-city riding group designed to introduce urban youth to the world of horses. Riders United is one of only a few programs in the U.S. designed to provide minority riders of all ages and from many different socioeconomic backgrounds, the educational groundwork of horsemanship, and the opportunities to compete in the show ring.
The program at Riders United emphasizes the appreciation of what makes each individual unique, sharing the passion of horses with those from all walks of life, strengthening the physical and mental well-being of both rider and horse, and proving that anything is possible through the power of optimism and humanitarian values.
"I plan to continue riding and training with Victoria and CJE so I can complete my goal of being the first African American female to win in the Olympics."
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Paris Scott
In her own words...
I once heard a quote “Fear is only a reason to try harder” and I use that quote to motivate me everyday. I have many goals I want to accomplish when it comes to not only my riding career but also my future.
Hi my name is Paris Scott. I am 16 years old and of course I love riding horses. I have been riding ever since I was 6 years old and completely fell in love with it and then soon fell in love with the sport called show jumping. I took a long break due to major health issues and surgeries that I needed done but now I am back and better than ever. Even though I still deal with my health issues and my autoimmune disease, I don’t allow my fears of my health concerns to take over. I am happy to say that one of my short term goals has been accomplished which was to join the CJE show jumping team. I am proud to say that I am one of the newest members. Another short term goal I accomplished was being able to teach people from child to adult all that I know about horses from how to care for them to how to ride them. Just from teaching them at the CJE facility in Compton I also learn much as well. I learn about myself, about my students, and they teach me things that I didn’t even know and I absolutely love it. For a somewhat long term goal, I plan to go to UC Davis, ride for their team, and also study to become a vet. A definite long term goal is to become a CEO of my own Vet facility and business and definitely compete in the olympics for show jumping. I love what I do from teaching to riding and hope to be proof that no matter what you go through in life, you can accomplish anything as long as you put in the dedication, show the passion, and do the hard work.
"From teaching at the CJE facility in Compton I also learn much as well. I learn about myself, about my students, and they teach me things that I didn’t even know and I absolutely love it".
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Morganne Craig
In Her Own Words…
“To instill courage in yourself is to first always believe in yourself and what your abilities are.
For example, when I compete, I don’t think about competing against those other individuals, I think about competing within myself and each time that helps me become a stronger and more confident rider.
Also, whether I get a blue ribbon or a green ribbon, I’m still a winner. Regardless, I am grateful to have horses in my life”.
"When I compete, I don’t think about competing against those other individuals, I think about competing within myself and each time that helps me become a stronger and more confident rider".
EQUESTRIAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
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2021 West Palms Events Champion:
Best Riding Style Pony Award (Paso Robles, CA) -
Horsemanship Award (Huntington Beach, CA)
In Her Own Words…
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Joselyn Kramer
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Angelica Thibodeaux
In Her Own Words…
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Sabrina Lewis
In Her Own Words…
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Sabrina has been in love with horses since she was five years old. She rode in equitation and hunter/jumper competitions throughout her childhood and has continued with this passion into adulthood.
In high school, Sabrina was captain of her Interscholastic Equestrian Team. After graduating with a 4.0 GPA from East Coweta High, Sabrina attended UC Berkeley, where she was President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, Rho Chapter.
While in college, Sabrina was elected Captain of the Cal Equestrian Team and competed in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association. She also participated in the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s Emerging Athletes Program for rising equestrians in Petaluma, CA.
Sabrina is a welcome new addition to our Riders United riding and training team.
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