While many teenagers are still asleep on weekend mornings, Lake Oconee Academy seventh grader Amanda Sewell is often already at the barn. For the last eight years, early mornings, long hours in the saddle, road trips across the Southeast, and time spent caring for and training her horses have been part of growing up for Amanda.
This summer, that commitment carried Amanda to one of the nation's premier youth equestrian events, the 2026 USEF Pony Jumper National Championship, held during Pony Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Organized by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the championship brings together top young riders from across the country to compete for national honors in individual and team competition.
Amanda qualified to compete in the Large Pony Jumper division, where riders ages 16 and under navigate highly technical courses with fences reaching 0.85 meters. For Amanda, reaching the national stage was years in the making.
She first climbed into the saddle before her fifth birthday and immediately fell in love with riding. By age eight, she was already competing in her first horse show. Through it all, one partner has been by her side.
Lucky Charm, Amanda's longtime pony and competition partner, has been with her through years of training and competition. Together, the pair has spent countless hours learning, growing, and overcoming challenges one ride at a time.
"Qualifying for the U.S. National Championship with Lucky Charm means a lot to me because it's something we've worked toward for a long time," Amanda said. "It shows that all the early mornings, long hours at the barn, and hard work have paid off. I'm proud to represent my community and excited for the opportunity to compete against some of the best riders in the country."
In 2025, Amanda enjoyed a successful partnership in the Hunter Ring with her horse, Stellar Eclipse, earning Division Champion and Reserve Champion honors at local shows and USEF competitions. She is now beginning a new chapter with Evermore, her new hunter horse, and looks forward to continuing to learn, grow, and compete together.
Qualifying for Pony Finals, however, marked a significant milestone in her riding career. The Large Pony Jumper division featured 96 pony-and-rider combinations from across the country, putting Amanda in the arena alongside some of the nation's most accomplished young equestrians.
For Amanda and her family, the experience was about much more than ribbons. Competing at the national level represented years of preparation and provided an opportunity to learn from some of the country's top young riders. More importantly, riding has become an important part of how Amanda approaches challenges both in and out of the arena.
"Equestrian sports have taught me discipline, time management, and perseverance," Amanda shared. "Balancing school with training has helped me stay organized and responsible. Riding has also taught me to learn from mistakes and keep working toward my goals, which has helped me both in the classroom and outside of it."
One of the things Amanda looked forward to most was competing alongside talented riders from across the country and gaining experience at the highest level of youth competition. Now, she is already looking ahead to what comes next.
The qualifying period for the 2027 National Championship begins this September, and Amanda is eager to build on everything she and Lucky Charm learned this season. Her advice to other students pursuing ambitious goals is simple.
"Never give up, even when things don't go the way you hoped. Success doesn't happen overnight, and every ride is an opportunity to learn. Work hard, trust your horse, listen to your trainers, and enjoy the journey. If you stay dedicated and keep believing in yourself, your goals are possible."
Lake Oconee Academy proudly congratulates Amanda on representing her school, her community, and the sport she loves on the national stage. As she returns to the barn this fall, she carries with her the lessons learned through years of riding—and a new goal already in sight.