Queen Margaret's School student Julie Wynne-Smith, 14, has made history by becoming the first Canadian to qualify for and win the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) National Hunt Seat Finals.
Riding with elegance and skill, Wynne-Smith was crowned National Champion in the Varsity Intermediate Flat class at the event, which ran April 25 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her journey to the finals was supported by her coaches, Julia Spreen-Balcom and Indiana Wynne-Smith, as well as the greater QMS community.
“This is a huge milestone for equestrian sport in Canada,” said QMS equestrian program director Angie Dobbie. "Julie is an extraordinary young woman — dedicated, humble and passionate. Her success is the result of years of hard work, not only by her, but by the entire QMS community that supported and believed in her. To watch her shine on that international stage was deeply moving. We are beyond proud.”
Wynne-Smith's achievement showcased not just her dedication and hard work, but her bond with horses. For her, riding is about understanding and connecting with horses.
"Just think of the horse," she said. "Ask what it needs from you in that moment. That's how I ride. That's how I compete."
For mom/coach Indiana Wynne-Smith, her daughter's shining moment was a culmination of years of hard work that extends beyond lessons in the arena.
“We emphasize the 10,000-hour rule — to become a master of something demands deep, consistent effort," she explained. "Julie lives that. She puts in the extra hours, rides any horse she can and never shies away from the work. She’s proof that dedication and quiet strength win the day.”
The win brings exciting opportunities, including a potential $5,000 scholarship to Emory University. The ninth-grader's impact, however, goes beyond ribbons and awards.
“Julie’s victory shines a spotlight on the depth and quality of Canadian riders,” Dobbie said. “It also validates the evolution of our own equestrian program. What started as a ‘beta test year’ for our IEA team has grown into something extraordinary. We’ve doubled in size, and we’re now on the radar of top programs across North America.”
