Andy Close
RUSSELL, Pa. – Addyson Hannold started riding horses when she was 10 years old. Now at 14, the Russell native is among the best youth equestrians in the nation.
Hannold recently took part in the Youth Equestrian Development Associated (YEDA) National Show in McDonald, Tenn., taking fourth place in the nation in her rail class division and sixth in her pattern class division.
“She started taking lessons when she was 10 years old and fell in love with horses,” said her mother, Bonnie Hannold. “She now has her own horse that she shows in the open circuit in the Western Pleasure riding classes and some English riding classes as well.”
Hannold joined YEDA in 2021, competing for Circle M Equestrian under the direction of coach Melissa Henry-Shetler. It has turned out to be a perfect match.
“She thoroughly enjoyed her first year on the team,” Hannold said. “The difference is she does not ride her own horse.”
Each team from around the country brings several of their own horses to the shows, and they are put into a draw. On the morning of each show, the coaches get together and do a draw. This results in competitors often riding a horse they are unfamiliar with and have never ridden before.
Hannold competes in two classes per show throughout the season – rail class and pattern class.
“This season, she ranked seventh out of 83 kids in her rail class division and 10th out of 83 kids in her pattern class division,” her mother said.
That was good enough to qualify for the national show, with 19 competitors in her rail class division and 21 in her pattern class division.
With all of that success, Hannold is already eagerly anticipating the start of next season.
“She was thrilled with these placings,” Bonnie said. “She already can’t wait for next season to start.”
