NSBYA Spotlight- Lily Anderson
NSBYA Spotlight
By: Delaney Dickens
With a determined game face and heart of gold, young equestrian Lily Anderson is a pillar of leadership within her community. The amount of involvement Lily Anderson has given to all of her activities is truly amazing. Whether she is on the basketball court or warming up for the level 3 Horsemanship Finals at the AQHYA Youth World Show, she is completely devoted to being a top contender. Throughout her high school career Lily has learned to juggle every responsibility life throws at her.
When asked how she did it, she stated, “I’m naturally an organized and neat person, so I divided my time into focusing on horses, school, and sports. Plus all of my teachers and coaches were really understanding and helped me to stay caught up and on track.”
From the first time she showed the leadline at three years old, Anderson was hooked. Her devotion to the horses goes beyond just a competitive spirit – Lily Anderson is a true horseman. Lily says she was originally drawn to this industry because of her sister Hannah Lind, but continues because she loves the size of our breed organizations and is amazed by the many programs and opportunities.
Lily and equine partner, Lovertreatmegood, aka “Vince’s,” many accolades speak to her countless hours of work in the saddle. Because of here numerous achievements at the highest levels of competition, Lily was able to sign her dream school, Southern Methodist University. While at SMU, she will study Environmental Engineering with a minor in Spanish and compete on the equestrian team. Anderson is known for her quiet yet strong presence in the show pen, and is an excellent role model for the next generation of youth.
Beyond Lily’s accomplishments in the ring, she was also a star on the basketball court at Ottumwa High School. Anderson played Varsity Basketball all four years of her high school career. She was first team all-conference her Junior and Senior year, as well third team all-state her senior year. Through her athletic prowess, numerous accomplishments, and personal demeanor Anderson has proven herself to be a true leader, in and out of the show ring.
