Girl, 10, wins equestrian endurance race

By Lori Porter Acorn Staff Writer

VICTORIOUS RIDER AND HORSE--Sierra Zontelli, 10, rides a horse with her grandfather, Boyd. Sierra recently won the Manzanita, Calif. 25-mile endurance race in San Diego County.

Sierra Zontelli of Agoura Hills is only 10, but she’s years ahead of many when it comes to racing horses.

Zontelli recently came in first place at the Manzanita 25-Mile Equestrian Endurance Race in Manzanita, Calif. just outside of San Diego.

The win was no small feat for this fifth grader who attends Sumac Elementary School. She was the only youth entered in the race among 85 adults.

The 25-mile course, which Zontelli finished in 2 hours, 35 minutes, consisted of many narrow rocky trails and even some deep sand, according to her grandfather, Boyd Zontelli who’s raised his granddaughter on his horse ranch in Malibou Lake.

"Sierra has been riding for a few years, and though this was a short endurance race, it was a tough one," said the senior Zontelli. "The rider has to know her horse well and know its ability." Boyd Zontelli holds the world record for fastest riding time in the Tevis Cup, a well-known race among equestrians.

The endurance race at Manzanita was supervised by veterinarians who examined the horses for injuries or exhaustion during the event.

Little Zontelli was riding her Arabian horse, Glotoc. She earned a first-place trophy and in just two weeks she’ll participate in a 50-mile endurance race.

For those interested in learning more about horse racing, Zontelli teaches at his ranch where he also raises horses. He’ll be presenting a racing clinic in Santa Ynez on May 15 at Alamo Pintado, a leading equine research center.

For more information, call him at (818) 723-8806.