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Local rider's career off and running
By Justin Raines Staff Writer
Anne Neal Thompson of Clayton learned to ride horses before she learned to walk.
"Mom and Dad used to carry me around on trail rides when I was a baby," Thompson said.
Soon, she was old enough to take the reins by herself, and not long after the 5-year-old rider gave her first horse fits.
Pam Thompson, manager of The Dillard House stables and Anne Neal's aunt, recalled her niece's early days in the saddle.
"Anne Neal always loved to go fast," Pam said. "Her horse Smokey would dread seeing her coming because she'd ride the hair off him."
According to those who know her best, Anne Neal always possessed a natural ability around horses.
"Anne Neal has a gift," Pam said. "In the horse world, you either have it or you don't. She's definitely got it."
Anne Neal's mother, Cecile, said that once she noticed her daughter's equestrian talents, she put her in touch with local trainers to help develop her skills.
"Some people have a natural ability, and it seems that she does," Cecile said. "Growing up, we did everything that we could possibly do to help her with her riding."
Throughout her teenage years, Anne Neal competed in local and national events while attending both Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and Rabun County High School. After graduating from RCHS in 2005, Thompson took a year off from school and competition to travel, but she still rode horses.
Thompson excelled in Western horsemanship, a style that evolved from open range cattle roundups.
"It's not judged so much on the horse as it is on the rider," Anne Neal said. "It's about how correctly you ride your position and your seat."
Western competition also involves the rider showing on unfamiliar horses. Success depends on an unspoken bond between horse and rider that must be developed on the spot.
"You have to go in confident," Anne Neal said. "If all you're thinking about is winning, most of the time you won't perform that well. Your body completely translates to the horse. If you're nervous, the horse will pick up on it. It can scare them."
In 2007, Thompson enrolled at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C., and joined the newly formed equestrian team. Last weekend, she helped her teammates finish fourth in the national Intercollegiate Horse Show Association championships in Burbank, Calif.
"To be such a young team and go all the way to nationals, I think what they did was incredible," Cecile said. "I'm very proud of them."
The achievement was substantial but, like most top-notch athletes, Anne Neal said she was not satisfied with fourth place.
"It was an eye-opener," Anne Neal said. "To me, it was a learning experience. I know now what our competition is and what the best of the best looks like. I know next year what our team needs to look like."
Thompson said she planned to work hard during the offseason, and Rabun County should have plenty to look forward to from its young equestrian.
"I just think it's a lot for her, her family and everyone in the county to be proud of," Pam said.
"Mom and Dad used to carry me around on trail rides when I was a baby," Thompson said.
Soon, she was old enough to take the reins by herself, and not long after the 5-year-old rider gave her first horse fits.
Pam Thompson, manager of The Dillard House stables and Anne Neal's aunt, recalled her niece's early days in the saddle.
"Anne Neal always loved to go fast," Pam said. "Her horse Smokey would dread seeing her coming because she'd ride the hair off him."
According to those who know her best, Anne Neal always possessed a natural ability around horses.
"Anne Neal has a gift," Pam said. "In the horse world, you either have it or you don't. She's definitely got it."
Anne Neal's mother, Cecile, said that once she noticed her daughter's equestrian talents, she put her in touch with local trainers to help develop her skills.
"Some people have a natural ability, and it seems that she does," Cecile said. "Growing up, we did everything that we could possibly do to help her with her riding."
Throughout her teenage years, Anne Neal competed in local and national events while attending both Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and Rabun County High School. After graduating from RCHS in 2005, Thompson took a year off from school and competition to travel, but she still rode horses.
Thompson excelled in Western horsemanship, a style that evolved from open range cattle roundups.
"It's not judged so much on the horse as it is on the rider," Anne Neal said. "It's about how correctly you ride your position and your seat."
Western competition also involves the rider showing on unfamiliar horses. Success depends on an unspoken bond between horse and rider that must be developed on the spot.
"You have to go in confident," Anne Neal said. "If all you're thinking about is winning, most of the time you won't perform that well. Your body completely translates to the horse. If you're nervous, the horse will pick up on it. It can scare them."
In 2007, Thompson enrolled at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C., and joined the newly formed equestrian team. Last weekend, she helped her teammates finish fourth in the national Intercollegiate Horse Show Association championships in Burbank, Calif.
"To be such a young team and go all the way to nationals, I think what they did was incredible," Cecile said. "I'm very proud of them."
The achievement was substantial but, like most top-notch athletes, Anne Neal said she was not satisfied with fourth place.
"It was an eye-opener," Anne Neal said. "To me, it was a learning experience. I know now what our competition is and what the best of the best looks like. I know next year what our team needs to look like."
Thompson said she planned to work hard during the offseason, and Rabun County should have plenty to look forward to from its young equestrian.
"I just think it's a lot for her, her family and everyone in the county to be proud of," Pam said.
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