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US horse show finalist Hayley Watt relives 'amazing experience'

It is late evening and bright lights are beckoning. Cameras flash, there is music and someone is talking into a microphone. Spread out before the 15-year-old girl is an arena so vast that first-time visitors can become overwhelmed.

It is late evening and bright lights are beckoning. Cameras flash, there is music and someone is talking into a microphone.

Spread out before the 15-year-old girl is an arena so vast that first-time visitors can become overwhelmed. It is big enough to fit two Barrhead Agrenas with room to spare.

Suddenly it is 8055’s turn to enter. There is no time for nerves, no time to think of parents, friends and trainers watching, no time to consider those following your every move online.

No time for anything but the next few minutes when Hayley Watt and Famous Preview must go through a well-rehearsed routine. One false step and they are out.

There is a hush as rider and horse complete the pattern.

Hayley knows she and Fame have done well. But how well? Judges at the 2011 All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, are famously ruthless, as they have to be when choosing the best among so many talented riders.

In Hayley’s hunt seat equitation class in the Novice Youth (aged 14-18) category, they are whittling down 170 hopefuls to a select 25.

Perhaps they have spotted some tiny flaw – a misplaced step, for instance, or a jerk of Fame’s head and carefully braided mane.

The following moments in the giant Coliseum arena on Oct. 26 remain vivid in Hayley’s mind, as they do for her mother, Colleen Symyrozum-Watt, who had been in the crowd watching, clutching her camera.

After a pause that seemed like an age, 8055 is among those called back.

It means Hayley is a Congress finalist. She is in the top 25 of her class – an extraordinary accolade for a teenager making her debut in the world’s largest single breed show, which receives 17,000-plus entries and houses more than 8,500 registered American Quarter horses.

It means she will also receive a special jacket, a buckle and a medal. But, of course, the honour is the main prize. It is validation for the months of practice and the faith placed in her by trainers Cindy and Sheldon Soderberg, who drove her hard at their Red Deer centre, but always for the best of reasons. They saw her potential, and wanted to draw it out.

“It was such an amazing adventure,” says Hayley, who lives in Busby and attends R.F. Staples Secondary School in Westlock.

“I went to the Congress thinking this is just a learning experience and I will see what I can do.

“I knew realistically I was not going to win anything, although I did want to make the finals. I was so thrilled when I was called back. It was really exciting.”

She adds: “I could not have done it without all the people who have helped and encouraged me – my trainers, family, friends, vets and farriers and those watching online.

“When I got home people congratulated me, teachers congratulated me, even strangers. I want to thank everyone so much for their support.”

While Hayley and Fame may have remained calm beneath the glare of the arena lights, there had been plenty of anxiety and sweaty palms in the stands.

Hayley’s mother, who is Deputy Supt. of the Pembina Hills school division, admitted to tense moments.

“I had a lot of anticipation and I felt quite nervous. It made me proud to see Hayley out there, so totally professional. It was a really beautiful sight, majestic even.

“When I heard her number called we all started cheering and clapping. It was as if we had won the lotto.”

Of course, for Hayley the show had to go on. She still had to complete her second pattern and could not get carried away by her accomplishment.

“I had to act like nothing had happened, just to focus on the next pattern,” she says. “It went okay, although not as well as the first pattern. This time Fame threw her head up.”

With Congress behind her, Hayley could finally reflect on several unforgettable days.

From the moment she flew into Ohio on Oct. 18, she found herself in a strange world. It was big, busy and initially disorientating.

“It was very, very different from what I was used to. There seemed to be so much going on and the place was huge,” she says. “It probably took me about three days just to know where everything was.”

Luckily her parents were there to support her, having made the 3,000 kilometre-plus journey with Fame in a trailer.

The trailer provided accommodation. To get around the vast complex – which held two arenas, the Celeste and Coliseum, and an array of training and warm-up pens – the family rented a golf cart.

The weather did not help acclimatize them. For the first three or four days it rained and was windy and cold. Inevitably their health suffered.

“We all got sick. Cindy was really ill and was coughing all the time,” says Hayley.

There was never a moment, however, when Hayley thought of going home. Her mind was totally focused on competition.

One of the first challenges was to get her horse accustomed to the new surroundings and cope with so many distractions. Before competition Fame was also taken on “lunges” to use up excess energy and remain able to concentrate on each routine.

There was the additional task of ensuring Fame looked immaculate – baby powder was put on white hair to make it pop, hooves were painted black and electrical tape wound around her tail.

Hayley took part in three classes in the Novice Youth category. The first one was showmanship on Oct. 21 at the Celeste, which saw 140 young riders competing under the eye of four judges.

“You had to be perfect in five minutes of riding,” says Hayley.

Unfortunately, a few misplaced steps meant she was scratched.

“You really have to have your mind in position for the event, you have to be totally focused. When I messed up, it stayed on my mind for the rest of the pattern.”

Hayley’s next class was hunter under saddle on Oct. 25, also at the Celeste. Although horse and rider performed well, they did not make the final. Hunt seat equitation was their last chance to do so.

“Equitation is all about the rider and you have to pattern well,” says Hayley. “I was so focused. I did not have time to be nervous. My first pattern went really well.”

Hayley believes she has returned a changed person.

“I have a better perspective of what the congress is like. You don’t know what it’s like until you go down and experience riding in this big arena.

“I would say I am a different person. Alberta shows are big, but not like this with 8,000 horses. It can be overwhelming.”

As for Fame, Hayley had nothing but praise.

“Fame really proved to me what a horse she is. There were people, music, golf carts, so many distractions, but she came through it as if she experienced it every day, although maybe she was a little overwhelmed when we did the hunter under saddle class.

“It was a first for Fame as well as me. I was surprised how cool and calm she was about everything. I know her so well. I can tell what she is thinking. I think she had a good time, but is happy to be home.”

Looking ahead, Hayley still has her sights set on a possible career in optometry.

However, before then there is some serious riding to do – she wants to compete in shows next year in Vegas, Oregon and Arizona.

And what about the 2012 Congress?

She may have been sick, sometimes cold, have experienced sleep-interrupted nights and got into irregular eating habits, but such discomforts meant nothing when set against the honour of competing on such a grand stage.

“I would do it again in a heartbeat,” she says. “It was well worth it.”

She may be very young, but Hayley has a big heart for the big occasion.

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