“The National Academy Championship Horse Show is one like no other,” according to the show’s founder and organizer, Joyce Webster. “This is the only three-day, three-judge academy show in the nation. Riders from all over the country join us each year in the spirit of competition and to raise money to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If you have what it takes to compete with the best, we hope you’ll join us…”

Warren’s Addison Blair, Lara and Alice Pearson, and teammates Lynsey Arthur of Titusville and Kenzy Bird of Union City, are among those “best,” competing for Ivorie Fors’ Boulder Ridge Stables in Pittsfield.

Last year, there were more than 1,200 entrants from 18 states competing in a 222,000 square-foot facility covering 154 acres. Yeah, it’s big. It has to be to accommodate nearly 4,600 spectators and competitors and stall space for close to 500 horses.

“It’s a really good experience,” said Blair, an eighth-grader at Beaty Warren Middle School. “This will be my second year and it was a big change from all the other shows I had been to. The arena is bigger, the competition is bigger — all the competitors have been riding since I could walk. This year, I’m not as nervous as I was last year because I know how it works, understand the competition and how to maneuver the ring better than last year. And, the fact it’s all for a good cause – all the money goes to St. Jude’s — means a lot. I will remember going for the rest of my life because it’s so exciting. The minute they open up the gate to go into the arena, all my nerves turn into adrenaline.”

Addison Blair on “Scott” (Endolane Sport).

Under American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) guidelines, all riders — from beginning to advanced — can compete. The show is top-notch, including judges, and other horse show officials, to instructors and trainers.

And, like Blair alluded to, this massive horse show — https://nationalacademychampionships.org/ — raised $100,000 for St. Jude’s a year ago.

“I was super excited for making it to the last round last year, and I plan to ride hard and try to make it to the last round again, with a higher placement,” said Arthur, competing in the Academy WTC 14-17 year old age group in the Pleasure and Equitation class.

Blair competes in Academy W/T 13-14 Pleasure and Equitation; Lara Pearson, Academy W/T 11-12 Pleasure and Equitation; Bird, Academy W/T 9-10 Pleasure and Equitation; and Alice Pearson, Academy W/T 9-10 Pleasure and Equitation.

“I have been riding horses since third grade and this is my fifth year total of riding and my first year on the Academy team,” said Lara. “This experience is one of the best yet. I love going to lessons and practicing. I also love seeing my horse, Dolly (Valley of the Dolls). … I am hoping to do great on her as we head to Tennessee to go compete with all the Academy riders at Academy Nationals. Again, I can’t wait for this experience to come and what this experience will do for me throughout my lifetime.”

Lara Pearson on “Dolly” (Valley of the Dolls).

Boulder Ridge Stables “trains entry-level to national-level, ages 4-104,” said Fors.

Walking into a World Series of horse shows might give these youth riders eyes like a deer’s in headlights, if that’s the right analogy.

“These girls have all worked for an opportunity like this,” said Fors. “These are the best of the best kids in the country competing at a three-day horse show full of all Academy kids. At Boulder Ridge, we capture the attention of young people when they are most open-hearted to appreciating the power of horses.”

Alice Pearson, a Beaty fifth-grader, has been riding at Boulder Ridge since she was in first grade. She took weekly lessons and then participated in barn competitions. This is her first year as a member of the Academy Team.

“I am so excited to compete against people from all over the USA,” she said. “I hope my horse, Dolly (Valley of the Dolls) and I have a good ride at Nationals. It will be a great experience for our team.”

The National Academy Championship Horse Show’s story “began in 1999, when Joyce met a very sick little girl one day riding a horse at her barn,” according to her website. “Even though the child was very ill, this little girl had the biggest smile on her face because she was riding a horse — this was the child’s dream come true! From that moment on, Joyce couldn’t stop thinking about this beautiful child and how happy being around horses made her. Joyce decided to create the National Academy Championship Horse Show and give all the proceeds to St. Jude’s to help children with life-threatening diseases. Thanks to the generosity of many barns, riders, families, friends and our sponsors, this show has now donated more than $689,900 to St. Jude’s to help sick children and fund critical research.”

For more information on helping Boulder Ridge Stables riders raise donations for St. Jude’s, visit the “Boulder Ridge Stables” Facebook page.