As the last putt is made, it’s a race to see who gets out of the parking lot first. Screeching of tires and the blare of a horn send thoughts trotting through her head, as Encore would through the barn.

Saddle in hand and the wind at her back, senior Alexis Vance makes her way to ALB Morgans for another great day of training.

Starting at age 7, Vance said she bonded with the sport of her dreams. Now 10 years later, she is still going strong. Riding is not the only sport that she competes in, though; Vance takes on high school golf and debate as well.

“I don’t sleep very much,” Vance said. “You have to get really creative. You basically don’t do anything but riding, golf, school, horseback riding [and] sometimes social life.”

Prioritizing is something Vance said she needs to work on. She’s thought about what she’s going to continue after graduation at Texas A&M. She said she knows she’s continuing one thing for sure; riding.

“The only reason I’m going to college is so I can have a job to afford horses,” Vance said.

Vance finds a special relationship that she believes not everyone will have, with her horse, that will continue long after graduation.

“It’s a really unique thing to have a partnership with someone who you cannot communicate verbally” Vance said.. You really have to trust them, and at any moment this horse doesn’t have to let you ride it — It can buck you off. It’s just relaxing and a magical partnership.”

There are three types of riding: dressage, jumping and eventing. Vance said the three types are very different, and competing in two or more is true considered extreme dedication.

“I do hunt seat equitation so you’re judged on your overall performance, and that’s like how well you jumped the jumps, your overall turnout, how nicely your horse moves,” Vance said. “I also compete in dressage, too.”

In order to compete, a special four-legged creature is needed. Vance said she believes her horse, Encore, is like no other. She said Encore has unique traits, making him a great companion.

“He’s a 5-year-old hanoverian gelding, so that’s very young for most horses” said Vance. “He’s a great performer. He’s got a great attitude, he isn’t afraid, he’s very brave [and] he’s very mature for his age.”

Though the horse does most of the dirty work, Vance said she spends hours every week training for her next show.

“In the summer, I spend about six [days a week] at the barn. In the winter, [I’m at the barn] probably closer to four or five [days a week]. You train all year round, but as far as packing and going to the show, you should pack the week before,” Vance said. “You have to ship your horse there and that’s a one to two day thing.”

Senior Gracie Goheen has been friends with Vance since they were six years old. Goheen said she has seen Vance grow in her time as a rider.

“Alexis and I have been close since our early days,” Goheen said. “She has true potential, and I can tell that she really enjoys what she’s doing. Everytime we’re in the van to go to a golf tournament, we count how many times she says the word horse. At State, we counted over 50. Anyone that knows Alexis will confirm that she is dedicated to the sport for life.”

Vance said that dedication is the key to her riding experience.

“Riding is not for everyone” Vance said. “You really have to be dedicated to the sport, if you want to go into horseback riding. However, anyone can do it because it’s not incredibly difficult as long as you have a well trained horse and the cooperation and patience you need.”

Vance said riding overall is a great sport, with very few dislikes, but there is one specific trait that really eats at her.

“I don’t like the attitude of a lot of people who ride” Vance said. “There’s just a lot of unnecessary things. When you go to a horse show, you set up sod and trees and plants, you try to make your barn look as fancy as possible, and you parade the horses around and you have an attitude like you’re better than everyone. The people treat the workers in the horse industry very badly, and they’re just rude to them. I just don’t like the attitude. They need to be more down to earth.”

Compared to any other animal, Alexis said horses will forever stay at the top of her list.

“I love the horses I work with — every single one of them” Vance said. “They’re incredibly nice and cooperative, and they’ll do anything for you. That kind of dedication you don’t see in people. Horses are like a big dog.”

There is a reason for everything, and Vance has her reason for riding.

“I didn’t commit for the thrill; I committed for the chance to develope a special partnership with a unique wonderful animal.”