Like many junior Olympic equestrian experts who have ridden before her, Kathryn Volk ’06 claimed her own coveted prize recently, placing fourth out of 266 competitors in the United States Equestrian Equitation Medal Finals during the Pennsylvania National Horse Show last October.

Riding atop Gordie, an eight-year-old male gelding horse from Europe, Volk was judged on her style, effectiveness and position at this competition as she and Gordie jumped fence after fence, leaving each one in tact.

“Gordie was great,” Volk said. “It’s nice to have a horse do what you want. I plan to keep him for a while.”

Since age 13, Volk has competed in the National Horse Show, but this was the highest she has ever placed. “I worked really hard this summer, riding 12 hours a day, six days a week.”

Such commitment to her craft is common for Volk, a Wittenberg Scholar who started showing horses at age 5. She learned the art of riding in part from her mom, Pamela, who used to compete herself. Her older sister, Amy ’04, also rides as does her brother, David.

“I’ve fallen off a lot, and I’ve broken my collarbone, but I love the horses, and I love competing,” said Volk, whose family lives on a 20-acre farm in Blissfield, Mich. The farm is home to a number of retired show horses, including Coastie, Volk’s 20-year-old gelding horse, three dogs and five cats. “It’s a nice feeling working with animals,” she added.

Although Volk plans to pursue graduate work in physics or math following her graduation from Wittenberg, she still wants to ride. “I just like to ride for relaxation at times,” she said.

She also would like to compete if she can. This year will be the last year that she is eligible to compete in the National Horse Show, but that doesn’t seem to bother Volk. Her family recently bought a yearling from a race horse auction, which Volk already has plans to show some day. In the meantime, she just plans to enjoy the ride. “It’s been very rewarding.”