BRONSON — Graduating Bronson senior Ava Hathaway could have gone a couple of different routes following her time in high school. She was one of the better cross country runners in the area once again this season and helped the Bronson hoops team to another regional appearance this past winter.
But her love for horses eventually won out. It's been a big part of her life for as long as she can remember and because of that love, Hathaway decided it was the only route to go. Starting next school year, Hathaway will continue her academic and equestrian careers at the University of Georgia in Athens.
"Honestly, it's something I got into when I could barely walk, something I grew up with," Hathaway said of how her love for equestrian riding started. "There's really nothing I love more than horses."
Hathaway's career in the horse industry is a little like athletics in high school, at least in the fact that she has a schedule of events. She is a part of the American Quarter Horse Association circuit, showing all over the country — with quite a bit of time spent in Georgia, Florida and Oklahoma City. While it can certainly be a time-consuming sport, Hathaway said her ability and talent to pay attention to detail while getting better has helped.
After all, she will be attending university five states, and 12 hours of drive time, away because of it. She's earned that next part of her life through meets on the circuit, where college coaches of equestrian teams recruit just like any other sport. Hathaway said she also spent time at camps and had college visits, as well.
Meets are comprised of the student-athletes riding horses and competing in events. Hathaway said a couple of big reasons she decided to continue down this road was due to the love of the animals and her competitiveness. While it might not be a basketball or cross country course, it's still a competitive atmosphere.
At the collegiate level, Hathaway will ride in meets ...
