Pine-Richland students qualify for IEA Interscholastic Equestrian Association’s Hunt Seat Nationals

A local team of high school girls has qualified for a national horse riding competition. The Interscholastic Equestrian Association’s Hunt Seat Nationals will be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, N.C., April 27-30, pitting teams and individuals against each other on fence-jumping and flat courses.

The girls saddle up at Candy Lane Acres in Sewickley. Chelsie Stair-Alter is the head trainer and instructor, and her sister, Hayley Stair, also coaches. They will both be accompanying the group to nationals.

Horse ownership is not a requirement to compete in IEA shows. Stair-Alter allows the riders to use barn horses to compete, which takes away a lot of financial pressure and opens up avenues for girls from whom it would otherwise be impossible. The competitions are open to public and private school students in grades four to 12. In previous years, the competitions had been open only to riders in grades six to 12.

For the national competitions, riders draw a horse just before a showing and get two practice jumps, adding to the difficulty level.

The team starts practicing in August. Most of these girls ride in the summer and compete in competitions outside of the IEA.

Riders can qualify for IEA competitions as a team or as individuals. Seventh graders Alexis Hansberry and Charlotte Larson from the Candy Lane Acres barn qualified individually.

“The skill sets that riding teaches these girls, just in terms of life skills, are so awesome — the responsibility and accountability. These girls are strong, they’re driven. It’s just such a wonderful environment over there,” said Alexis’s father Brian Hansberry.

For two riders from the Candy Lane Acres team, this year’s nationals are a full-circle moment.

Five years ago, current Pine-Richland High School seniors Madelyn Trebilcock and Claire Rockacy were on the junior high team that made it to the IEA nationals. This year, they represent Candy Lane Acres on the high school team headed to nationals.

Maddy’s riding lessons started at age 4. Fourteen years later, her mother, Jodi, remarks on how far she’s come.

“We loved watching Maddy go from riding a pony and reaching way up to groom them, to now having a horse of her own for over five years and giving him the love and care he needs,” Jodi Trebilcock said.

Maddy has made the postseason in IEA every year since she started in sixth grade and has gone to nationals three times. She competes with her horse, Cassius, throughout the year as well.

“The sport has taught me how to work hard, manage my time, and maintain a competitive edge without negativity. There is a lot of perfectionism that comes with this sport, and it has taught me to be patient and work towards goals. I enjoy going to the barn almost every day.”

Speaking of love, Maddy was happy to talk about the meaningful relationship she’s had with fellow IEA teammate/competitor, Claire Rockacy.

Maddy and her horse qualified for the United States Equestrian Federation Junior Hunter Finals and competed last June in Michigan. Her mom credits her time as an equestrian as foundational to her organization, time management, and discipline. Maddy is in the National Honor Society and has a more than 4.1 GPA. She plans to attend Duquesne University this fall, having been accepted into their physician assistant program.

Claire is the top open rider in Zone 11, which includes riders from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia. She will ride in the open championship at nationals. Claire has been riding since she attended a birthday party at Candy Lane Acres in kindergarten.

“She has worked hard the past seven seasons to make it to the highest level of competition in the IEA circuit. This is Claire’s fourth time making it to nationals in her seven years of riding with the team and I couldn’t be more proud,” said Claire’s mother Wendy Rockacy.

“Riding has been a huge part of my life,” Clair said. “I would not be where I am today without the support of my amazing coaches and teammates, and I am beyond grateful for all of the experiences riding has given me.”

In the fall, Claire will be attending the University of South Carolina, majoring in biology on a pre-medicine track.

For coach Stair-Alter, getting to train these girls from such a young age has been incredibly rewarding.

Training together five to six days a week, week after week, Stair-Alter feels that she’s gotten to “shape more than just their riding. I’ve gotten to help shape them into the adults that they’re becoming.”

“It’s really special to see them grow up and continue to be successful in their riding careers,” she said.