Pettersen signs equestrian scholarship with SMU

FALLBROOK — Jordyn Pettersen has been awarded an equestrian scholarship at Southern Methodist University (SMU). She will be a part of the hunt seat team at SMU in Dallas. SMU is one of 19 universities which have a NCAA Division I team.

Jordyn recently graduated from Escondido Charter High School, where she attended her junior and senior years. The school gave her great flexibility to concentrate on riding.

Jordyn started riding at age 5 with her mother at home. At 14, she decided to move up to only compete in the very competitive Zone 10, A Circuit. In 2006, Jordyn joined top grand prix rider and trainer Susie Hutchison of Temecula.

Moving to Hutchison’s was a huge step; she is known worldwide in equestrian show jumping as one of the great icons of the sport.

“It’s been an honor to get to ride under Susie’s guidance. She’s one of the best in the sport,” said Jordyn.

Equitation and the medals is a subjective class in the world of hunter/jumpers. The riders are judged on technique, execution of the course, smoothness and body position.

Under Hutchison’s guidance, Jordyn developed into a competitive player in Southern California. Last year she qualified for and competed in four of the West Coast and national medal finals.

“I’ve made a lot of sacrifices for my sport but it’s been worth it,” Jordyn said. “I moved to an independent learning program at Escondido Charter so that I could have more time at the horse shows and the barn where I train with Susie in Temecula.”

“Competing is a lot of hard work, early mornings at the shows and time away,” she added. “I’ve traveled to the East Coast a few times and have made great friends there.”

Riding at SMU will have its differences from the show circuit. SMU provides the horses, and when competing at other universities, the riders use their horses. Two girls competing from different schools ride the same horse over the same course, so the competition is on an even playing field.

The equestrian coach, Ashley Schafer, has recruited an awesome incoming freshman group, and with some existing great riders, they hope to win the Nationals within the next few years.

Being able to go to a top university and get a scholarship to ride is a dream come true for both Jordyn and her parents.

Jordyn plans to follow in her father Eric’s footsteps with a career in dentistry. Her final goal is to become an orthodontist and return to Southern California.