This fall, Lily Callahan plans to take not only her talents, but also her horses, Moose and Pistol, to Transylvania University.

Callahan signed her letter of intent to join the Transylvania eventing team in the Harrisburg High School library on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

“I love the horse program,” Callahan said. “They have one of the only programs in the country that is up to their caliber and has the amount of sponsorships that they do. Also, it’s located in prime horse country in Kentucky.”

“I love the school, it’s so small and quaint. Being able to go to a school that fit my personality and will let me do the major that I want, stuck out to me.”

Callahan plans to study neuroscience at the university in Lexington.

Eventing is an equestrian sport comprised of three segments: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.

“Cross-county is more of my favorite, because you get to run fast and jump things, but it’s a lot harder than people think,” Callahan said. “You have to be precise.

“I really enjoy it, you get to just go out there, have fun with your horse and bond with them. I think that’s the most connected you feel with your horses when they’re going out there and giving their all for you, so I really enjoy that part.”

Callahan said that she needs to improve her dressage for competition at the next level.

“Saddlebreds are hard to get into a dressage frame,” she explained. “Hopefully with different coaches and clinicians and meeting people who are a bit higher up in the eventing world will help me with that.”

Boone County northern district commissioner Janet Thompson was one of the first to judge Lily when she began working with horses.

“I’ve known Lily since she started showing horses,” Thompson said. “You could tell even at that stage she had such talent.

“I’ve watched her, and I’ve seen what she’s done both in the sport and academically and I’ve been so impressed. She really brings great honor to her parents, to her school and to her whole community. She’s an amazing young lady.”