When Mary Claire Cornett competes for the Mississippi State University Equestrian Team in dirt-filled arenas, she is in her element—the nerves of being judged on horsemanship heighten her focus, and she strives for perfection.
Cornett, who grew up riding horses, is now the captain of MSU’s horsemanship team. At 3 years old, she was placed on top of a saddle, which sparked her interest. Now, 18 years later, Cornett is the first person from the MSU equestrian team to make it to nationals.
“(Equestrianism) is a sport and hobby, but more so it’s a lifestyle,” Cornett said. “When I think of the equestrian team, I think of camaraderie, I think of unity, I think of physical activity and it’s an all-out mental thing, too. It is hard work, it is physically challenging, but it’s all worth it.”
Cornett is a senior international business major with a combined major in Spanish and marketing with a concentration in risk management. Her university involvement, however, does not stop there. She is also a member of the Phi Mu sorority. In addition, she is involved in the American Quarter Horse Association and MSU’s horse judging team.
Cornett’s friend and fellow team member Hart Daniels, a sophomore chemical engineering major, said she has known Cornett since she was 6 years old. They met while taking lessons with the same horse trainer.
Daniels said Cornett has a friendly and thoughtful personality.
“I would describe Mary Claire (Cornett) as a very outgoing and caring person who always goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcomed and at home,” Daniels said. “She is also a very talented rider.”
Equestrian Team head coach Ashley Shiffler said Cornett’s talent adds much to the team.
“Mary Claire (Cornett) is extremely valuable to the program,” Shiffler said. “Her achievements have helped to make a name for our program along with many other riders on the team.”
Cornett has been on the current equestrian team since it began at MSU. Shiffler said the university had a team in the past, but two years ago it was re-structured into what it is now.
Cornett mainly competes in horsemanship, which is a contest where competitors show a horse they have never ridden before. Cornett said it is possible to watch the horse beforehand to see its cues, but competitors must head into the arena without any warm up.
Showing the horse consists of riding it around the rail of the arena while walking, trotting and loping. At the end, there is a lineup where competitors do a predetermined pattern with the horse.
Cornett said before every competition, she practices her pattern on the ground by herself.
“It’s just a tick for me,” Cornett said.
Shiffler said Cornett’s figure, as well as her accuracy, help her to be a top competitor in the sport, where body position and control are judged heavily.
“Mary Claire (Cornett) has an amazing ability to draw the judge’s eye to her,” Shiffler said. “She has a small, petite figure but has a very bold presence. She has one of the most correct positions on a horse.”
Recently, Cornett qualified for the horsemanship national championship of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. To get to nationals, she earned a spot in the regional division competition held in Alabama, where she won first place. This qualified her for the advanced horsemanship semi-finals.
Cornett traveled upstate with Shiffler and Daniels, who also qualified. After practicing for a day in Pennsylvania, Cornett competed in Hamburg, New York, where she won second place. Thus, her road to nationals was paved.
The competition is the first week of May in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
“I am beyond proud of her (Cornett) for qualifying for nationals,” Shiffler said. “She has an overwhelming schedule, and manages to push herself to limits that most can’t handle. She knows what it takes to be a true competitor.”
Cornett said she feels fortunate to be the first person from the university to qualify for the championship.
“I think it’s really cool because fortunately, I have been with the team since the beginning when it officially started,” Cornett said. “Just to see how the team has grown and they have looked up to me to be a leader to a certain point. It does feel good to be able to lead and show them that it is completely doable, it’s possible, but you just have to work hard. With faith and a little good luck, you can do anything.”