‘Born in the saddle'

John and Donna Cook looked on nervously as their 5-year-old daughter, Camilla, climbed into the saddle of a great, big horse for the first time.

Over a decade later, that’s where one can still find the shy brunette as she makes a name for herself in the equestrian world.

“When she was little, her mother took her around (to try) everything — ballet, ice skating, a lot of things,” John said. “But, it’s like she was born in the saddle.”

Sixteen-year-old Camilla is a lot like other girls her age. She loves animals, is a straight-A student, is getting ready to be a licensed driver and banters with her 8-year-old brother, Nicholas.

Her life, however, is anything but ordinary.

Camilla just completed her sophomore year of high school online via Florida Virtual School and with the help of tutors. Her non-traditional education accommodates her riding schedule, which is jammed with daily practice.

“I do my school in the morning, and in the afternoon I come out and ride,” Camilla said, from atop her 7-year-old Oldenburg horse from Germany named Alessandro.

Camilla is allowed the privilege of making her riding career a full-time priority on the condition that her grades stay up to par. And she delivers.

“She’s really focused,” John confirms.

Camilla’s weekends are reserved for competitions that often take her out of town. Last year, the teen and her mother decided that they were going to travel to make Camilla’s dreams a reality.

“This has been a breakthrough year,” John said.

Camilla competes at national and regional levels in the Taylor Harris National Children’s Medal Series and is aiming to climb the ranks even higher this summer in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Manchester, Vt.

As for her future, the junior rider has her sights set on landing an equestrian scholarship to the University of Georgia, Auburn or the University of South Carolina, where there are top notch teams and facilities. Each day, she spends long hours continuing her quest to becoming a professional Grand Prix competitor in show jumping.

“It’s having that bond with the animal,” Camilla said. “You get addicted to it and you want to stay late.”