Riding a horse for many leads simply down narrow, winding paths through fields or perhaps a nature trail in the woods.

But that’s not the case for Happy Valley High School senior Holly Orfield whose riding has carried her to a collegiate educational experience while fulfilling a lifetime dream to be a part of an equestrian team at the collegiate level.

On Thursday afternoon inside the Happy Valley library, Orfield was joined by family and friends as she signed her National Letter of Intent to join the Emory & Henry Wasps equestrian team.

Orfield has been chasing her dream since a young girl.

“I actually got involved in riding from a friend when I was nine years old and it was always kind of a dream of mind to ride in college because once you get into it, it’s like a whole other world and you realize its such an amazing sport,” Orfield said.

“It’s really humbled me as a person I think and it’s best if you get into it while you are young. “Anyone at any age can get into it because it’s a real sport and a lot of people think that it’s not,” Orfield continued. “There is a lot that goes into it and its really cool.”

According to Orfield’s instructor, Paige Tilli with WF Stables in Jonesborough, Orfield has worked hard at her sport and has enhanced her knowledge so much in the time they have worked together.

“Holly has been with me for about four or five years and she has come such a long way since she started,” stated Tilli. “She has become more confident and more knowledgeable and is an amazing rider all around.

“Emory & Henry is getting one of my more versatile riders. She has done a little bit of everything. She has ridden English, she has ridden Western and Hunters, and a little bit of Eventing so she has a lot of experience in a lot of different rings,” continued Tilli.

“That’s always valuable especially as far as collegiate riding goes because situations are always changing so someone that can be put on just about any horse and go into any ring— they are really lucky to get her.”

Orfield admitted it had taken a lot of time to hone her riding abilities and sometimes the results weren’t always the best but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I got involved with local, competitive showings so that meant every weekend in the summer I was off showing and working with my horse and really just trying to get my name out there among other barns and other riding programs at other colleges,” Orfield said.

“Whenever you don’t place good but you know that you and your horse did your best is tough,” Orfield continued. “Whenever you are being judged, it’s based entirely on someone else’s opinion.

“You could go out and have a beautiful, gorgeous round but if the judge doesn’t really like it, then the judge doesn’t like it. You can spend hundreds just for one day of showing and come out not even placing.”

With Orfield’s desire to continue her learning, she came across the program offered by Emory & Henry located in Meadowview, Virginia and knew she had found a home to obtain her education and continue her childhood dream.

“I started to look at local colleges and I found Emory & Henry,” Orfield said. “They have an excellent program so I went to a summer camp there and they ended up offering for me to come and audition following that and I did.

“It’s a way for me to get an education but it also an opportunity for me to improve as much as I can as a rider. I don’t think that I will be at the Olympics level but yes I want to get to the Nationals in my next four years.

“They were really so knowledgeable,” Orfield continued. “They had it under control and I liked the way they looked at things and how they looked at riding.

“Also, they have wonderful horses so I am excited about riding their horses there.”

Tilli, who competed collegiately four years in equestrian at St.Andrews College, said that she felt that the Wasps equestrian team is getting someone who will be able to handle the challenge regardless of what stead that Orfield will be mounting

“When these riders go out to shows, in IHSA there is no opportunity to learn the horse beforehand,” stated Tilli. “You go straight into the ring. To be able to be adaptable to that extent and hop on and show anything is a pretty big plus.”