A Cross Country Journey for the Win
A Cross Country Journey for the Win
Sydney Swallom finishes a stellar year showcasing her bond with her horse with a 2200-mile trip
By Delores Kuhlwein
You might remember this beautiful young lady in her signature red and white outfit from the 2022 AQHYA World Show. If not, chances are pretty good you’ve seen her L3 Youth 14-18 Horsemanship video from AQHA that went viral in 2022 because of the absolute perfection demonstrated in the pattern.
Some declared it may have been the greatest pattern they’d ever witnessed.
Not long after that particular unanimous win, Sydney Swallom and Almost Invited topped their class again, earning a Congress Championship in the Youth 15-18 Horsemanship in October in Columbus, Ohio.
Quick with a smile and seemingly more gracious with each win and each interview, Sydney’s competitive spirit recently inspired a 2200 mile trip from Arizona to Florida to attend the 2022 Gold Coast Circuit in Tampa.
Coming into the show, she was leading the nation in L3 Horsemanship with “Nate.” Sydney says, “My goal was to maintain my ranking through the show in order to cinch it for the year end standings.”
She explains that her trainer was kind enough to drive 2200 miles over the course of four days to enable her to achieve her goal. “My mom and I were able to fly in a day prior to showing the Showmanship. I am very thankful that I have trainers, Mike and May Edwards, that are willing to sacrifice so much for me to give me the opportunities to show anywhere possible, even places over 2000 miles away from home.”
While at the show, Sydney and Nate also earned the titles of Youth All Around Champion, and Circuit Champion in L3 Youth 14-18 Showmanship, Reserve Circuit Champion in Youth Performance Halter Geldings, and Runner Up Circuit in Level 3 Youth 14-18 Trail.
She was able to accomplish her goal of cinching the Horsemanship (unofficial as of publication time) by winning the L3 Youth 14-18 Horsemanship circuit and earning another 49 points.
The trip also enabled Sydney and Nate, much to Sydney’s surprise, to earn 123 AQHA Points (unofficially), and the lead in the 2022 Year End All Around. “I was well over 60 points behind the first place competitor, so I was just focused on the Horsemanship because I didn’t think I had much of a shot at the all around,” she says.
So what is her secret behind such spectacular horsemanship, which has become part of her signature with Almost Invited?
“I think what really allows me to be so successful in that event is my bond with my horse, Almost Invited. I’ve had him for almost 2 years and since the beginning, we really just clicked. Horsemanship is by far my favorite event and I like to think it’s his favorite as well,” she explains.
Sydney says she tries her best to feel out her horse to determine how hard she should push her pattern and when she should soften up. She also rides 3-5 times a week. “My trainers always have something new for me to work on which allows me to add so many more skills to my repertoire. Anything from patterns to horse training skills. I think the knowledge that Mike and May have instilled in me since I was 8 years old has made a huge impact on my ability to bring my skills from the practice pen into the show pen.”
Once she completes her youth career in two years, she will attend Auburn University, where she has already pledged to ride with their team. But for now, a celebration is in order. “Sydney, you’ve had an incredible year and Mike and I are so proud of you and your very special bond with Nate,” posted May Edwards from Arizona. “Wishing you, Nate and Mike continued great days at Florida Gulf Coast and I’ll see you when you get home!”
See the winning AQHYA World Championship show pattern of Sydney and Almost Invited: https://youtu.be/tWNXhSqb5Fg
