Young rider clears new heights at Toyota World Cup Qualifier
Twenty-one-year-old equestrian athlete Ashlee Taylor and her horse, 334 Callaho Stand by Me, continue to make strides in the showjumping arena as they took on new challenges at the prestigious Toyota World Cup Qualifier.
At just 21 years old, Ashlee Taylor is steadily building her reputation in South Africa’s equestrian scene.
She recently competed in the Toyota World Cup Qualifier and successfully stepped up to a new level in her showjumping career.
Taylor, who comes from a family deeply rooted in the sport, said horses have been a part of her life since she was two years old.
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“My parents are both successful showjumpers, so I was born into a very horsey family. I mainly did showjumping as a kid, but I also tried vaulting and equitation. I watched all of the big competitions that my parents competed in, so one thing that inspired me was seeing my parents success and growing up watching successful people in the sport.”
The Toyota World Cup Qualifier featured classes ranging from 90cm to the prestigious 1.55m world cup qualifying class. Taylor competed in the 1.40m division, a significant step up for both her and her horse.
“I definitely had a lot of nerves, but also a lot of excitement because my horse was stepping up into a new height. It has taken a lot of time, hard work, and training to get to this level.”
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Taylor has ridden 334 Callaho Stand by Me for the past two years, and she credits their growing bond for helping them tackle bigger courses with confidence.
“The biggest challenge is making a partnership with your horse and getting to know them. Our partnership has been so important in stepping up to a new height because we both trust each other.”
Competing at higher levels has helped Taylor lay the groundwork for her long-term ambitions of reaching the 1.50m classes, and eventually competing in world cup events.
To young riders hoping to follow a similar path, Taylor offered a simple advice.
“Never give up. This sport is not always easy and sometimes not very rewarding, but if you stick at it, you will eventually see results for all your hard work.”
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