SARAH WARD WINS $2,000 A/O HANDY HUNTERS AGAINST BEST RIDERS IN COUTNRY WITH TORN ACL & MENISCUS WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW Washington, DC, October 2010 -- Despite riding with a torn…

SARAH WARD WINS $2,000 A/O HANDY HUNTERS AGAINST BEST RIDERS IN COUTNRY WITH TORN ACL & MENISCUS WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW

Washington, DC, October 2010 -- Despite riding with a torn ACL and meniscus and year-long effort to earn a place to compete at the 52nd annual Washington International Horse Show in DC, the payoff was big for Sarah Ward of Atlanta, GA
this week. The 20 year old equestrian,
who trains with Jack Towell and Liza Boyd of Finally Farm in SC, piloted her gelding
Onassis to the victory in the $2,000 Amateur Owner Handy Hunter class (35 and
under) putting in a flawless round against 23 other top riders; the pair also
placed 7th in the 3,000 A/O Hunter Stake during the international competition.

"This win really meant a lot to me, I had practiced handy courses over and over at home on my horses," enthused Ward, who rested comfortably after the three long Indoor competitions. "I didn't even notice my injury
when I was riding Onassis around the course. There is something about being under
the lights at Finals that takes your mind off everything else, even the
throbbing pain in my knee!"

The University of South Carolina sophomore will now ready for surgery on her right knee to be performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Xerogeanes, head of the Emory Sports Medicine
Center in Atlanta, GA. Tentative date this November, with six months
out of the saddle in physical therapy and recovery.