Like many young athletes, Ayers can speak to the magnitude this championship has had not only on herself, but others as well.
“The thing about NAYC is that I’ve made so many friends and getting to show somewhere different is amazing,” she said. “I'm so excited; you really can’t top the team experience; I really do love it.”
Last year, Ayers assisted the Zone 4 winning team to gold and finished seventh in the individual competition in a division chock-full of tough competition from around the country. While NAYC is a time to reconnect with fellow competitors, it has also guided Ayers towards her true passion within the sport of jumping – riding on teams and representing something bigger than herself. “Instead of jumping a big Grand Prix one weekend, I'd rather focus on making a Nations Cup team. I really enjoy the format. I think it showcases your consistency rather than having a one-off luck of the draw situation.”
Each year she attends, NAYC not only helps guide and solidify her goals, but leaves her with memories to last a lifetime, in and out of the saddle. Something which has stuck with her since her first year of attendance was a gentle reminder from U.S. Jumping athlete Richard Spooner. “Little 15-year-old me was panicking, and he was saying to me, ‘It's going to be OK. Everything’s fine," recalled Ayers. “Then he said to me, ‘Continue to do it and the success will come,’ and that has really stuck with me.”
“I went from the first year thinking I was horrible to going back last year to win gold and finish inside the top ten of the Individual Final. Now, coming back this year, I get to build on those experiences and take everything I learned last year, apply it, and hopefully improve.”
It wasn’t just Spooner’s kind words that keep Ayers going; it’s also the team of incredible women that support her. Her Zone 4 Chef d’Equipe, Kim Land, and U.S. Jumping Olympic Silver medalist Anne Kursinski have both been a part of her journey from the moment she met them. Consistent check-ins from Land and access to Kursinski when she has questions helped Ayers make the decision to return to the Junior division instead of moving up to Young Riders.
“Kim and I talked about it, and since this is my last junior year, I really wanted to go and enjoy it. The past few years, I've been very nervous, and I was like, ‘You know what, let’s go have fun,’” she laughed. “Kim [Land] has an amazing Young Rider team, but my experience is more suited to the Junior team.”
As the anchor rider for the Zone 4 Junior Team, Ayers has built an understanding of pressure, and also how to best support her teammates when they need it. “So many people had my back when I went to Belgium for FEI Youth Nations Cup Final for the first time; it was amazing having veterans there to help me out. So, it’s sweet to be able to return the favor for other people this year.”
Based in Ocala, Florida, the team aspect of competition has always been her favorite part of the entire week. “I'm so excited to meet up with my teammates and hang out. The team is the best part, and I feel like a lot of people don't get to experience that,” she said. “People get so stuck on wanting to jump a bigger class or do a Grand Prix, but all I think about is getting to the top of a podium with a team.”
With spirits high and new perspectives coming into the week, Ayers is ecstatic to be back in Traverse City, and, most importantly, excited to be competing with Conthinder, her own 2011 Oldenburg gelding (Conthargos x Nintender).
Purchased from Paul Schockemöhle almost three years ago, Ayers has had her work cut out for her getting to know, learn, and build a partnership with the experienced gelding. “I could not ride him in the beginning, but I wanted it to work so badly, because he was incredible,” she laughed. “I knew if I could just figure it out, we’d be great and eventually we got there.”
Affectionately called ”Kenny” in the barn, Kenny has taken Ayers all the way from the lower national level classes to competing against some of the world’s best combinations in CSI4* competition.
While he may be considered a grumpy old man in the barn by some, Kenny is a total sweetheart under saddle. Known for his love of bananas and kind demeanor, you’ll often find him taking younger and more nervous horses at the farm under his wing. While attending NAYC last year, Ayers learned something about Kenny that will certainly make anyone melt. “He loves to nap, but he'll only lay down and sleep at an away show if I'm in his stall with him. So, I take a few hours each day and take a nap with him; I'll even bring in my pillow.”
When Kenny isn’t enjoying his evening nap, you’ll find he turns into a completely different horse, the second he steps into the ring. “He's a total shark when you're riding him. He can be naughty, but I love him. He’s been there, done that, and always knows what to do.”
Coming into the week, Ayers has her eyes set on winning a team gold medal and is hopeful this is the year she can earn an individual medal too. However, it isn’t the idea of stepping onto the podium that keeps her motivated; it’s the unwavering love of horses which keeps her present and grounded within this sport.
Admittedly dealing with anxiety and nerves, horses have always been an outlet for Ayers. They give her a safe space to shut out the real world, one where she doesn’t have to think about the looming decisions related to graduating high school and going to college.
“Being able to come out to the barn and ride Kenny in his rope halter and bareback pad in the field or even having a flat lesson with no stirrups, it’s all like therapy to me,” she said. “Riding isn’t just about the showing; it's so much more than that. I would be totally OK if I didn't show anymore and just rode at home; that's how much my horses mean to me.”