“I’m not one of those crazy horse girls who always wears horse shirts or gets a horse tattoo. There’s no way I’m ever going to do that. I’m not that crazy,” said Allie Donaldson, senior. On the other hand, she does admit to being crazy about one  thing: riding horses.

Donaldson’s insane dedication to equestrianism started when she began riding lessons since the age of eight, but when she was in eighth grade, she started competing and did not stop.

“I’m at the barn six days a week at 1:30pm, because I have 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th open,” Donaldson said. “I ride two to four horses a day. It’s good practice to ride different types of horses. After school I go home to change and go straight to the barn. I usually ride from 2pm-4pm and get home around 5:30. Friday [is] my one day off.”

Donaldson currently rides in the A Circuit in the Illinois Hunter Jumper Association, the highest level possible. Hunter/jumper, according to Medal Maclay’s website, is “a specific equestrian discipline (style of riding) where horses are ridden English style and jump over a series of fences or jumps.” Besides spending countless hours practicing at the barn, Donaldson must sacrifice certain aspects of her life to prove her commitment.

“[It’s crazy] how much time I’ve put into it,” Donaldson said. “I’m not as involved in school this year because I don’t have free time. On weekends, I’ll be at the barn for 12 or more hours and ride at least six different horses. Like for two and a half weeks last summer, I had a competition in Lexington, Kentucky, and I also spent three weeks in June at a different show. It’s a lot of time spent away from my family, and it really shows the sacrifices I’ve made.”

Although Donaldson is not joining a team in college, she hopes to continue riding later in life and plans to come back to ride on school breaks, especially since she has made so much progress in the last four years.

“I don’t want to sound braggy, but I’m really proud of myself for how hard I worked and that I progressed father than I ever expected,” Donaldson said. “I started in 2011, just a small beginner, but I listened to my trainers and practiced, and in 2012 I moved to another circuit, and then I moved again so now I’m at the highest level. And it’s only been four years.”