Wednesday, July 11, 2007 7:11 PM EDT

By Monica Burge

Neighbor Newspapers Staff Writer

 

Horseback riding as a sport can be just as dangerous as mainstream sports. Riders face grueling competitions and the risk of serious injury. Balancing day-to-day life with the responsibilities of being a dedicated equestrian can be taxing. Just ask 16-year-old Sarah Ward of Sandy Springs. "I've played my share of sports, but none are as difficult as horse riding," she said. "It's probably a lot more involved mentally and physically than people would imagine."

 

Sarah has been competing in horse shows along the East Coast and has taken her share of spills from the saddle. But since her first trip to the stables at Chastain Park in Buckhead four years ago, the teen developed a passion for horseback riding. "I don't know how she does it," said her mother, Diane Ward. "It's exhausting, physically and mentally." Eventually, Sarah will focus her energy on seeking a career, but for the foreseeable future she is content to per-form on a unique stage. "I want riding to be the most important thing in my life for as long as I can," she said. "I want to ride forever. At the end of the day, that's what I'm good at."

 

For two weeks a month, Sarah travels to competitions along the East Coast. When she's not competing she spends every other weekend in Camden, S.C. with trainers Jack, Liza and Hardin Towell. "Sarah has really found her passion and she's very committed to her horses and her sport," said her father, Bob Ward

 

Bob and Diane Ward own South Wind Stables in Conyers, where Sarah's eight practice horses are stabled and the pair said they have grown to love the sport thanks, in part to their daughter's commitment to the sport. In the past year alone, Sarah has finished as Champion in the Children's Hunter Division at the Capitol Challenge in Maryland, Grand Champion in the Children's Hunter Division Blowing Rock Horse Show in North Carolina and the prestigious Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania. She also finished as Champion and reserve Champion at a number of competitions in the AA region. But her desire to ride stems more from the connection with her teammates, rather than winning. "I love competing, but I love horses more than anything," she said. "They teach me so much."