This week, we feature Selby Merritt, Upper School English teacher and equestrian coach. A native of Atlanta, Selby graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia and went on to earn a Master of Arts from Georgia State University. Additionally, she was captain of UGA’s National Champion Equestrian Team in 2014. Her primary teaching goal is to “help students discover their voice in writing and then coach them on how to use it.” 

Q: Tell us a little bit about your personal journey with equestrian—where did it all start and how did you choose to ride at UGA?

I started riding when I was 7 years old, taking lessons at our local park's equestrian center. What started as a fun hobby blossomed into a lifelong passion. I started riding competitively in Middle School, and by my freshman year of Upper School, I was traveling across the country for horse shows and spending summers on the road. 

It was after starting the high school equestrian team at Lovett that I decided I wanted to pursue earning a scholarship to ride at the varsity level in college. It was then that I switched to a trainer in Florida, missing most Fridays at school to drive down for coaching or a horse show. Even though my trainer was worried I had too late of a start and wouldn't be able to compete with the other recruits for a spot on one of the best teams, I ended up with scholarship offers from Texas A&M, Texas Christian University and the University of Georgia. 

Although I originally thought I wanted to get out of Georgia and ride for the Aggies, it took all of 25 minutes on UGA's campus for me to realize that was where I wanted to spend my college career. Everything from the girls on the team to the college town, Athens, felt like home. Although never a top competitor on the team, I had the opportunity to travel to many of the away shows and was elected team captain my senior year, leading the team to the National Championship Title in 2014.

Q: What are some valuable teachings/life lessons you learned as an equestrian rider?

The most valuable lesson I learned as a rider is the importance of relationships. Unlike some other sports, riding is not individual—you have to cooperate closely with a very significant teammate: your horse. Just like people, they have good days and bad days, confidence and fear, so learning to work with an animal no matter what the circumstances, weather and situation proved to be incredibly powerful. I learned that I can't always control everything, and it's often how I react to challenges and obstacles that determines whether or not we win or I end up in the dirt. 

Q: What does the Pace equestrian team offer willing and able riders? Is it suited for anyone who likes horses or is previous experience needed to participate?

Although typically recognized as an "individual" sport (besides the horse-rider companionship), giving equestrians the opportunity to be a part of a team is invaluable. The team experience and camaraderie that comes with it is not something that these riders take for granted—they love and appreciate that the day is no longer solely reliant on their performance, so even when they have an off day, or they don't quite connect with their horse, they have the opportunity to still come together, support one another, and maybe even come away with a win. 

You also don't have to be the most experienced rider to be a part of this team. Like I said before, I competed in fewer than seven shows my entire college career, but I was a huge part of the team. An equestrian team is more than just what happens in the arena—it includes the preparation of the horses, the support of your teammates and the common love for horses. Prospective riders don't need riding experience—they just need a passion for horses and a willingness to come together as a team. 

Q: For inquiring minds, what is the philosophy behind selecting a name for a horse? Who is responsible for doing so since horses tend to have more than one owner in their lifetime?

Love this question! Traditionally, horses are named when they are born, and it typically relates to the sire. For example, I had a horse that was part of the German Longchamp line, so his name that he came with, Latigo, had to start with an L. However, oftentimes with show horses, they have a "show name" and a "barn name," so while my horse's legal show name (under which you can find all of his records) was Latigo, we called him Bailey outside of the show arena. Barn names are likely to change as horses are sold from owner to owner, but changing a horse's show name means that any previous records the horse had would be wiped out with the new show name. Additionally, there are many who believe that changing a horse's name is bad luck, and quite a few trainers actually forbid it. All in all, it's taken much more seriously in the show world, so if you're looking for a backyard, trail-riding horse and want to name him Tater Tot, you can do that without feeling too guilty.