Lydia Harrison, a senior at Lancaster Mennonite School in Pennsylvania, has been passionate about horseback riding since she was six and is now preparing to compete in a high-level U.S. Equestrian Federation show jumping event in Florida. Balancing school with rigorous daily training at B.W. Training Stables, she aims to increase her jumping height from 0.9 meters to 1 meter for the competition. Despite her regular horse Ella being sidelined due to a muscular disorder, Lydia trains with another horse, Archer, and maintains her physical fitness through stretching, conditioning, and cross-training to meet the sport’s demands of strength, agility, and teamwork.

Though equestrian is not offered as a school sport, Lydia receives varsity recognition through the U.S. Equestrian Interscholastic Athlete Program, which requires significant training and competition. Beyond the sport, Lydia finds a deep spiritual connection with horses, viewing them as symbols of God’s love and feeling a divine presence during her rides, especially with Ella, who was gifted to her family by a mentor who helped her link faith and equestrianism.