By Adam Brazeau
WILLIAMSTOWN, Ontario – As 15-year-old Hadrian MacDonald and her horse Rodney finished their routine at the Williamstown Fair, her coach stood on the sidelines with fierce pride.
Betty MacDonald watched her daughter finish fourth place in the mini prix competition. A modest victory, that adds nicely to her previous triumph.
MacDonald, from Martintown, won reserve champion in the hunter division. It also got her an invitation to the Canadian Interprovincial Equestrian Championships on Sept. 13‐15, in Calgary.
“I’m proud of myself and my pony for accomplishing it,” said MacDonald.
The only issue is availability. MacDonald said it might conflict with her schooling schedule.
“If I’m able to go, I will,” said MacDonald. “It’s very exciting.”
MacDonald’s mother isn’t surprised about her daughter’s riding talents. Being a rider with 40 years of experience she knows what it takes to be the best in saddle.
“When she was three, she rode a chicken,” she said. “And she puts in a lot of hours.”
MacDonald trains with Rodney, a 10-year-old solid paint horse, six days a week for a few hours a day.
“When I’m older, I’d like to show kids how to ride horses,” said MacDonald. “I want to ride and train horses for a living.”
Betty MacDonald is looking forward to her daughter’s journey to becoming a top rider.
“I’m pretty proud of her,” she said.
