As equestrian Hazel Pratts, 15, prepared for sophomore-year final exams at the Pennsylvania boarding school she attends, things didn’t slow down in the competitive realm. Each weekend brings a new horse show, with Pratts posting some impressive results. At the 2025 Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) National Finals in St. Louis, Mo., she finished second in the novice dressage seat equitation individual event and third in team novice dressage seat equitation, bringing valuable points to the team from her school.
Her IEA events had a draw-based format where riders are assigned a horse, rather than riding a horse on which they have been training. “You get a random horse at every single horse show, and you have to work with what you have,” Pratts said. “It’s exciting that you get a different ride every single time. You can get a horse that’s very experienced or you can get a horse that’s very young. The hard part is you do not get to school the horse.”
For the flat phase, you get on the horse and go. Pratts admitted it’s scary because sometimes a horse will connect with one rider but not another. “It was challenging, but also fun,” said Pratts. “I’m a very competitive person. I’m not hard on myself, but I always think of improvement every step of the way.”
Passionate about riding, Pratts has seen progress in her skills over the past year. Dressage was new, and she described it as interesting and a great experience. She learned how much flat work (training on flat ground) can improve a rider’s skills and knowledge.
“In dressage, I really learned about the different qualities of horses and what I can do to make the horse look so much better,” she said. “Last year, I did hunt seat; I still do it now. Hunt seat is more based on my look and presentation, and how well I work with the horse instead of how well my horse will work with me.”
Determined, Pratts is pushing to reach higher ranks of competition. “I really enjoy and love that I learn a new thing every single day with every lesson that I have,” said Pratts, who studies and analyzes videos of herself in training and competition.
She’s also intent on continuing to excel in school, noting her love for chemistry and math. This summer’s plans are still being made, but she will definitely train and compete.