Dressed for success

By Shane Mettlen

Published: May 11, 2008

Krista Hayes was already an experienced horseback rider when she entered her junior year at Virginia Intermont College this fall, but the Jeffersonton native and Culpeper County High School graduate had little idea what she was getting into when she decided to give competitive dressage a try.

Hayes had enjoyed some success on the Virginia Intermont equestrian team as a freshman and sophomore, competing in jumping events, but once she entered the dressage competitions — which she described as being like ballet on a horse — her career really took off. Hayes took first place in the introductory division of the Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championships held April 26-27 at Mt. Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass.

“It was surprising to win in my first year,” Hayes said. “I had never done dressage before this year and it’s a lot different, but things really worked out.”

Hayes beat out 12 other individuals from a dozen colleges to win the Mary Beth McLean Perpetual Trophy, a saddle, a halter and an artistic print on the second day of the competition. But before the second day even began, Hayes had already helped Virginia Intermont enjoy success at the national contest.

Day 1 of the event was team day and Hayes collected a second place finish in the introductory division to help VIC take home a 10th-place finish.

Joining the dressage team has been a challenge for Hayes, who competed for three years on the Virginia Intermont Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team. In those competitions Hayes stuck to the jumping and riding skills she’d developed since getting into the sport as a nine-year-old.

But when she decided to try dressage, which is judged and scored in a similar manner to figure skating or gymnastics, she knew it would be a challenge. Starting in the fall, Hayes entered every dressage competition in the region, gradually working toward the qualifying standard for the Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championships.

“It was exciting because I didn’t know if I would be any good at dressage,” Hayes said. “I had done the other for so long, but this was a new experience for me.”

To qualify for nationals, riders have to be one of the top two point winners in their region. Points are given based on the placement at the shows, with first place receiving the most points and sixth place receiving the least. Hayes racked up 30 points at the regional contests, making her the regional champion and ensuring her a spot at nationals.

Now that the season is over, Hayes is riding every day at her home in Jeffersonton and preparing for next year, when she’ll try to leave VIC with back-to-back national championships.

“That would be great,” she said. “I just want to keep competing and have a good time.”

Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext 127 or