“Definitely a Lot of Early Mornings”: After Recent String Successes, 17 Yo Equestrian Staring at Nationals

Grace DeFoe is a remarkable young woman. She is equally good on the basketball court, the track, and the racecourse. As a result, she is well-known in her school, St. Ursula. Grace is a senior and will be going off to college soon. It was a major decision for her, but in a twist of fate, Grace’s passion for equestrianism brought her to the attention of college recruiters.

Texas A&M University recognized her raw talent in horse riding and offered her an opportunity to join their equestrian team. She leapt at the chance and accepted the offer earlier this year. The 17-year-old equestrian has definitely come a long way since she first started riding.

The Humble Beginnings of Grace DeFoe’s Equestrian Success

Grace’s parents owned a farm that she loved to visit. Her mother gave her a pony for her seventh birthday, and she was inducted into the world of horse riding. From then on, Grace’s passion for equestrian sports grew stronger. Thereafter, Grace started visiting Wilmington’s World Equestrian Center and Brave Horse Equestrian Center in Johnstown. At the age of ten, she earned her first award for her splendid performance in the Pony Finals. However, her true success began when Fire entered her life. Fire is her current horse, aptly named so for its fiery spirit. Fire has been her partner for the last four years, and together they have won multiple competitions.

Grace DeFoe has spent countless hours in training with Fire in order to synchronize their movements and develop a deep bond. She spoke to a correspondent from WTOL 11 and said, “It’s a lot of time, definitely a lot of early mornings”. She has earned the admiration of all with her work ethic and discipline. Her mother, Jodie, spoke to the interviewer, saying, “We’re just so proud of her”. Jodie is very excited about the offer from Texas A&M College and believes that this would be an excellent opportunity for Grace to further her equestrian career. The iconic teen is not oblivious to what this means for her future and may be the first step towards fulfilling the ultimate goal.

Texas A&M Open Doors for Grace DeFoe

The teen sensation recently added three more trophies at the I Love NY Horse Show in New York. She placed first in the 2023 PNHA, 2023 Maclay class, and 2023 Large Hunter. This week Grace also grabbed two more titles at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. With this college offer, Grace can finally look forward to achieving her dream. She wants to compete in the Grand Prix, an event that is the Olympic equivalent for horse riders.

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The road to the Grand Prix is not easy, but Texas A&M’s offer allows Grace to train with top-notch coaches and access to state-of-the-art facilities. This will also give her a chance to become a part of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association and change her disciplines to English riding and Western riding. With this scholarship, Grace and Fire will soon make the journey to Texas.

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