Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Sunday Spotlight shines on Delanie Borders of Sunbury, Ohio. Borders, who trains with Jamie Mills at Empress Valley Equestrian Team, was recently the winner of the WEC Wilmington Medal Final 2’ – 2’6”. The goal-oriented junior rider has her sights set on developing her young horse, Cornets Design. The duo has accumulated many great rounds and successes at WEC – Wilmington, already paving the way for an incredibly bright future. We caught up with Borders to learn more about her riding career!
WEC: How did you get started riding?
My mom used to ride, and my dad trained horses. So, I just grew up around them. I thought it would be fun for me to do and once I started, I just kept going!
WEC: Tell us about your partnership with your current horse, Cornets Design aka “Otto”.
I’ve actually only had him for four months and he was not planned! We weren’t looking for a horse. We just got that video and it was love at first sight for me. He’s really helped me gain confidence because I was very confident on the ponies, but I was really nervous to move up. Looking back at it now, I can’t believe I was ever nervous because Otto he’s never done anything bad. He has always just been right there, a real steady Eddie. Even though he is only a 6-year-old, he doesn’t get upset with me when I make mistakes. So, I’m really able to grow with him. I’m hoping in the future, he’ll take me all the way to the 3’6″.
WEC: Tell us a little bit about what your day in the life looks like with your horse.
On the weekends when I don’t have school I go to the barn in the late morning, so Otto can have some outside time. He loves to just mosey around. I get him out just to do some grooming. He loves scratches, so we just always spend extra time doing that! We jump two times a week and do little hacks on the other days, but he really enjoys the jumping days.
WEC: Tell us about what WEC has meant to you in your riding career.
It is really amazing here! My first shows were smaller, local shows. So, when I first came here, my mind was blown. It is nice to come here and always have different, strong competition. Plus, I always meet new people here, I have friends all over the place!
Otto really enjoys it here. He loves going on walks and meeting everybody because he thinks everyone’s here for him. It is a great facility to get him out of the smaller local rings so, later in our career, when we go to finals he can be relaxed and confident. He really enjoys his hunter life and WEC Ohio has really helped for both of us to gain a lot of confidence.
WEC: How frequently do you show?
In the summer, I’m showing almost every weekend. During school, I don’t show quite as much. Lately, I’ve been showing maybe one or two shows a month and we will come back to WEC Ohio this winter.
WEC: What is one short-term goal and one long-term goal of yours?
My short-term goal is to get a champion in a 3’ division… one where he’s not just saving my butt! My long-term goal would be for me to grow him into a more finished horse, even though he is already turning into my dream horse.
WEC: If Otto could be any other animal, what would he be?
He’d probably be a Lab! He’s like a big puppy dog. If I’m having like a bad day, he just shoves his nose in my face and gives me all the love!
WEC: What are your plans after high school?
I plan to go to think somewhere in Kentucky for college and then I want to be a veterinarian.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Delanie! We wish you and Otto continued success in and out of the ring together!
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Photos courtesy of Winslow Photography
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