By Daniel Lapham/Staff Writer
published May 7, 2008

A love for horses that began as a child has led Kayla McCullough, 21, to the top of her collegiate sport.

The Redlands Community College agricultural science student and 2008 equestrian team member will compete at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s national competition this week in Burbank, Calif. McCullough will compete in the novice horsemanship class.

RCC’s equestrian team formed three years ago under the direction of instructor Justin Lynn. Lynn said he could not be prouder of McCullough or the rest of his team.

“Our team is very new and Kayla has become RCC’s first equestrian to ever compete at the national level,” Lynn said. “One of the teams that our equestrians competed against was a two-time defending national championship team.”

Not only did McCullough qualify for nationals, but fellow teammate Kodi Poole of Bethany also did very well at the IHSA semifinal competition in Canyon, Texas, Lynn said.

“This is such a big honor for Redlands,” Lynn said. “It’s a really big accomplishment for Kayla to go from not competing before three years ago to placing last year and then going to nationals this year.”