Dreams for The Future in the Midst of the Past

And, yes, added the 15-year-old New York City girl, "I want to ride for the (U.S.) team someday." That means an Olympic one. If she makes it as far as the Games, she will be able to understand announcements given in French, the official language of the event, because the dark hair teen's heritage. Born of a French father, Jean, a race car enthusiast who now runs French Vietnamese restaurants in New York City and Chicago, she and her family spend a month in his homeland with relatives and she rides. Her latest visit included a session with renowned French horseman and clinician, Thierry Pomel.

Brianne found the atmosphere of the Sept. 9-10 finals "totally different than that of the (USEF) Medal at Harrisburg and the Washington International equitation championship. "The ring here is outdoors and larger, the course s were difficult. You are tested on the horse and rider's ability because of the technicality that the classes present," said Brianne who hopes to turn professional some day.

The high school sophomore took up the championship challenge and went for victory, judges Ronnie Mutch and Laura Kraut agreed. Brianne "kind of threw it all out there and was aggressive enough with a little of that in her style and we liked that," said Kraut, a grand prix show jumper rider.

"She never rode for second; she rode for first," added horseman Mutch. Both of them (Brianne and reserve champion Addison Phillips) did, but it just happened that it lucked out a little bit more on Brianne's side this time. Either of them could win anywhere."