Meet Sarah DeLong

My name is Sarah DeLong, I am 15 years old and live in Rougemont, North Carolina. I started riding when I was 8 by taking a few lessons but I mostly just did trail riding on my pony. Three years ago, my mom moved her horse to Quail Roost and started working with Vicki Hitchcock. Soon after that I began working for Vicki and Chris as a working student. At that time I did not have any horse I could ride, so I took every opportunity to ride any horse available. Since that time, I have made a lot of progress with my riding and have had the opportunity to work with some amazing horses. I have a lot of respect for Vicki and Chris because their main concern is for the health and safety of all the horses in their program.

My experience as a working student with Double Diamond Training has given me a lot of skills and responsibility. The progress I've made has been amazing. Now, three years after starting my training with Vicki and Chris with almost no riding skills, I'm riding Vicki's Advanced horse, Reggae Mon (Roadie), and I am hoping to show at Training level very soon, although, I am currently schooling at training level.

Vicki and Chris encourage me to strive for nothing less than the best, both in my riding and in working for them. Their concern is always for the well being of the horses. Being a working student for them is a challenging job that requires dedication, but my experience has been very rewarding. Vicki and Chris have helped me so much already and are continuing to help me reach my goals.

Update September, 2007

Roadie is now retired to the happy life of wandering the retirement pasture at Quail Roost Farm with his buddies. I'm now leasing an 11 yo 15.2 hand Arab/Thoroughbred cross. He's taught me a lot over the last eight months since I started leasing him. We've developed a great working relationship and showed Novice this past spring and moved up to Training this fall.

Spring 2007 Show Record
Southern Pine Horse Trials, North Carolina
Beginner Novice
Placed 1st

The Fork Horse Trials, North Carolina
Novice
Placed 9th but were rained out before show jumping

Virginia Horse Trials
Novice
Placed 3rd

Lumber River Horse Trials, North Carolina
Novice
Placed 2nd
Click Here to view show pics.

Fall 2007 Show Record
Waredaca Horse Trials, Maryland
Training
Placed 15th with a Dressage score of 27.9

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Horse Trials, Virginia
Training
Placed 4th

Five Points Horse Trials, North Carolina
Training
Took my first fall in show jumping. We'll be working on 1-strides before the next show!

NCDCTA Horse Trials at The Fork, North Carolina
Training
Placed 5th

Virginia Horse Trials
Training
Nov. 2-4