working hard pays off.

Emma, along with her pony Lucky Penny, took second place overall among ponies and third place in dressage and jumping at a horse show at Ocean View Stables earlier this month.

"I feel good when I win something because it is good to know that your hard work pays off. And having a horse is a big commitment,'' Emma says.

However, the 13-year-old Bermuda High School for Girls student stresses that it is very important not to get too conceited when you ride.

"The judges have different opinions, one day you may win and another day you may not even place,'' she adds.

Emma, who has been riding for five years, has had a pony (Lucky Penny) for two years and realises that owning one takes a lot of dedication.

"You can't just ride for a little while and then say that you want a horse,'' she explains. "You've got to know what you are doing. Having a horse it not like having a new toy, it's a lot of hard work.'' Lucky Penny boards at the Spicelands Riding Centre where staff clean her stall and feed her.

Every afternoon Emma goes to Spicelands for two hours to ride and groom her.

If Emma has a lot to do, her mother will take her to Spicelands as early as 7 a.m. so that she can take care of Lucky Penny.

Emma, who is in Senior Two at BHS, says it is hard to fit her homework into her busy schedule. Because of that, Emma does most of her homework on the weekend instead of during the school week. Emma says her family are very supportive of her and are always there to help her out.

"My mom helps my older sister Laura, who swims, and me along in our sports.'' she says. And she adds that it was her mother who encouraged her to start riding.

"My mom rides and she asked Laura and I to try it out,'' Emma says. "Laura did not like it but I loved it.'' Emma plans to start riding other horses next year in addition to her own Lucky Penny. She notes that when she goes to college she will not ride as much. But she says she will never lose her desire to ride horses.

Emma has not yet decided what career she will pursue. But she has narrowed it down to either becoming a teacher or a veterinarian.

In addition to her love for animals, Emma -- who likes eating pizza and Oreo cookie ice cream -- also enjoys drama, tennis, running, skiing, and snow boarding.

STABLE MATES -- Thirteen-year-old Emma Farge and her poney Lucky Penny.