Sara Kozumplik Has It As She Likes It

A gold medallist at the North American Young Riders Championship, a competitor at the Rolex Kentucky three-star, a competitor at Blenheim. All huge successes for a 22-year-old, but this year she added another achievement to her list: Sara Kozumplik, 23, of Clifton, VA, rode in her first four-star at the 2002 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Out of the record 63 horses entered, she and As You Like It, an 11-year-old American Thoroughbred gelding (Providential x Suzette / Pas Seul), finished 31st overall.

As You Like It suffered a minor tendon injury in 2000 that kept him out of competition in 2000 and 2001. Veterinarian Kent Allen told her to be careful but that the horse could compete again, so she brought him back slowly. She had a stop and 32 time penalties on cross-country at Rolex, but her careful navigating brought him home safe and sound.

Was she nervous heading out on course? Not until the last minute, she said. "The harder a course is, the longer it takes for me to freak out," she laughed. "I just switch off, but twenty seconds before I go, it's earth-shattering fear!"