Elkhorn Valley Student Signs Letter Of Intent For TCU

​An Elkhorn Valley student is saddling up for Texas Christian University.
 
Yesterday Claire Dittrich, daughter of Keith and Tammy Dittrich of Tilden, signed a letter of intent with the equestrian team for TCU – an NCAA Division I school located in Fort Worth, Texas.
 
“Not only have horses changed my interests, but they have also changed my future,” Dittrich said.
 
Dittrich was recruited by several colleges but decided TCU was the right choice for her for both athletics and academics. 
 
“TCU has everything I could ever want in one package,” Dittrich said. 
 
Dittrich will be competing on the TCU equestrian team in the sport of reining. 
 
Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse within the confines of a show arena. Contestants are required to run one of 13 approved patterns given in the National Reining Horse Association Handbook.
 
Dittrich has been riding for more than 10 years. Carol Nielsen of Nielsen Training and Serena Siebrandt of Siebrandt Training have been working with Dittrich since she was eight years old. 
 
Siebrandt trains all disciplines including English, Western, showmanship and trail, but her emphasis is on reining. 
 
“Reining is a little more of a difficult discipline. It has been included in the Olympics as a sport, along with dressage and jumping. It really does take more athleticism on a horse,” Siebrandt said. “The series of maneuvers that they do and to do them well takes a lot of athleticism from the horse and the rider.”
 
Not only is Dittrich a serious reining competitor, but she has also taken on various leadership roles with the National Reining Horse Youth Association. Dittrich has served as a historian and treasurer in past terms and is currently serving as the vice president of the organization with plans to run for president in 2016. 
 
“It’s a really fun organization to get youth involved in the sport and promote the sport of reigning,” Dittrich said.
 
Dittrich said she is really grateful for the support she has received from her coaches, school and family. 
 
“I would also like to thank my coaches for not just teaching me the basics, but prepping me for the future,” Dittrich said. “I would like to thank TCU for this astounding opportunity and Elkhorn Valley for giving me a great start. I would like to thank my parents for everything they have done for me. I cannot thank them enough for their guidance and compassion, and I know they will continue to support me in my future endeavors.”