WILLIAMSTON - Meet Morgan Nolan, a Junior at Williamston High School, and the lone Equestrian on the Williamston Equestrian Team. Surrounded by tremendous support from family, friends and her coaches; Morgan enters this month overcoming her biggest obstacle, winning regionals and facing state competitions.

Two years ago, Morgan was on an 8 man team finishing state runner up. This year, she ended up being the only rider. She says it's hard.

"There's no one on my team like before to celebrate a victory or share competitions with. It's alot of hard work," said Morgan Nolan.

While Morgan misses riding with an entire team like in the past, she remains focused and competitive.

But she hasn't always been riding horses. She began as a figure skater, and as her mom says, a born natural competitor. She skated for four years until she was approached while at her brothers’ football game to have a riding lesson. So she went out and started riding, falling in love with a horse named Hottie; grooming him and brushing him. She was given an offer by the owner to show him. Morgan jumped at the chance. She showed Hottie and ate up the ability to compete.

While riding and showing horses competitively is a first for the family, Morgan's grandpa rode 4H when he was in high school. He's been with her every step of the way and her biggest supporter and financial backing of her success.

While Morgan has competed at the national level and finished in the top ten Arab shows, that wasn't her most challenging and biggest obstacle. Being in MIHA (Michigan Interscholastic Horses Association) Division D and being a lone rider, she has to carry the load. While her competitors get the share the load of requirements involved with competition, Morgan does it all on her own. This past weekend at regionals, proved toughest on her.

"The weather was a huge obstacle. It was cold and it was scary. While the animals and riders are kept warm with blankets, the rain is not the best of friends for competing," said April Nolan, Morgan's mom.

That challenge was this past Saturday, Oct. 3 where Homecoming and regionals fell on the same day. The day started at 6am when Morgan had to compete through the freezing rain. She mentally had to get her head around the competition and past the stresses of wanting to be a teen and thinking about the possibility of missing Homecoming with her friends. Something her grandpa and coaches kept encouraging her to do throughout her riding career was to stay focused. Their support and Morgan's competitive determination drove her to nail the competition on Saturday and raised the bar on the challenge set before her, resulting in winning regionals.

By 8 pm she was with her friends who had waited for her to go to homecoming together.

"The equestrian world teaches hard work and discipline. Morgan is setting the bar and setting an example for other riders," said April Nolan, Morgan's mom.

Her other biggest obstacle is cost. The Williamston Equestrian Team is not a school sponsored sport. All costs and expenses incurred by Morgan have to be paid out of pocket or raised through fundraisers and donations. Not only is Morgan taking care of her horses, she also needs to pay for the feed, boarding, grooming and grooming materials (hoofs, fly spray, cleaning), hauling or hauling fees, fuel costs and travel costs, her outfits for shows, 3 different saddles for shows, lead blinds, ropes, etc. The costs can add up. But she’s had a lot of help. Several supporters have contributed through a fill the trailer campaign, pop can drive, and financial support from businesses and friends.

If you would like to support the Williamston Equestrian team, a check can be made out and sent to the Williamston Equestrian Team at 5255 N. Williamston Rd., Williamston, MI. 48895