Ainsley Wade approaches her horse Wally for her first race in the equestrian nationals. After practicing five days a week for years, she was more than prepared for the upcoming race. 

Ainsley Wade qualified for the equestrian nationals in Lexington, Kentucky. She was grateful she could compete and be with her horses. 

“I was so excited to go because I had never been to the event I was competing in,” Ainsley said. “It was a really cool experience.”

Before Ainsley attends college, she will be taking a gap year to focus on equestrian. Kennady Wade, Ainsley’s sister, is proud of Ainsley and is excited to see what she will do with her time off from school. 

“I just hope she gets everything she wants out of [the gap year],” Kennady said. “[Ainsley’s] one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever met. I really look up to her, even though she’s younger than me.”

Mike Wade, Ainsley’s father, said he is his daughter’s biggest fan. He was confident in Ainsley’s equestrian skills and knew she’d do her best. 

“Ainsley goes to school full time, she’s an editor of the yearbook, she has a life outside of horses and she just went to nationals,” Mike said. “I knew she was ready to go [to nationals]. She had put in so much work.” 

Ainsley plans on continuing equestrian when she graduates. She will participate in horseback riding until December, before attending University of Wisconsin in the fall of 2022. 

“I’m going to take a gap year after high school to finish my horseback riding career,” Ainsley said. “I really wanted to finish that [year] off with my horses.”

Although she’s taking a gap year, Ainsley will keep herself busy with volunteering and horseback riding. Ainsley said she is beyond thankful for her time at KHS and is excited to continue her equestrian career for a little while longer.