Parker Miller wins silver in national equestrian event
Published 8:39 pm Friday, August 12, 2016
Parker Miller, daughter of Pete and Marcie Miller, recently competed in the North American Junior Young Riders Competition (NAJRYC) in Parker, Colorado, where her team earned silver medals in equestrian events.
NAJRYC is the premiere equestrian event for junior riders, ages 14-21, where riders vie for team and individual medals in three Olympic disciplines of show jumping, dressage and eventing, including cross country.
It is known as the Jr. Olympics of equestrian sports.
Teams from across the United States, Mexico and Canada were represented at the games.
Canadian Olympian, Kyle Carter was the coach of the team of Area III, which includes Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and a portion of Louisiana.
“The cross country phase was especially difficult for horses in a different altitude and climate than they were accustomed,” said Carter.
Parker and her horse named “What Law” have received high praise from her coach. The two have only been partners since December, 2015, and it takes time to get to know a new mount.
Parker said of her horse, “I think our partnership will become even better and more trusted as we further get to know one another.”
Her current local trainer, Silver Olympic Medalist Jill Henneberg says, “I can say a lot of things about Parker Miller. She’s talented, ….incredibly coachable and she’s dedicated. However, what makes her really great in her sport is her undeniable love for horses. She puts them and their well being above everything else. She is a true horseman.”
Parker is a 10th grade student at Grace Christian Academy.
Her dream is to one day have the honor of representing the USA by riding in the Olympics.