Blind girl wins award in state 4-H horse-riding competition
SNOHOMISH, Wash. - A Snohomish girl with a passion for horses is rising through the ranks of 4-H, but her path hasn't ever been smooth.
After years of deteriorating vision, Ali Steenis is legally blind.
But that hasn't stopped the 17-year-old from taking on able-bodied riders, competing in dressage. It's like ballet for horses - relying on precision and detail. It's tricky when you can't see - but Ali is good - so good she qualified for the state 4-H competition in September.
For her, perservance has become a habit. And if seeing is believing, you'd know Ali knows a thing or two - or three dozen - about horses.
She says being blind gives her a different kind of advantage - because she feels more in tune with her horse.
Her wall is covered with ribbons - a tangible testament to talent.
"I can see that there are ribbons; I wouldn't be able to read them," says Ali.
Her mother, Cyndie Steenis, says, "I think people can't even begin to understand how a rider rides blind."
When she was competing for the state 4-H dressage honors, Ali almost didn't make it.
A burst of music spooked her horse Watchman. Even worse, the headset Ali was using to navigate the arena - her ears that are her eyes - dropped.
"My first thought was, 'Oh my gosh, I'm going to have to scratch,'" says Ali.
"All of a sudden she's literally riding blind," adds her mother.
But with patience and a steady hand, Ali completed the test - and placed third.
And so another award was added to Ali's wall - but she doesn't need to look at it. Because who says you need to see to believe at all.
"Just the feeling that it's there and knowing all that accomplishment is up there is a symbol of all I've had to overcome," she says.
After years of deteriorating vision, Ali Steenis is legally blind.
But that hasn't stopped the 17-year-old from taking on able-bodied riders, competing in dressage. It's like ballet for horses - relying on precision and detail. It's tricky when you can't see - but Ali is good - so good she qualified for the state 4-H competition in September.
For her, perservance has become a habit. And if seeing is believing, you'd know Ali knows a thing or two - or three dozen - about horses.
She says being blind gives her a different kind of advantage - because she feels more in tune with her horse.
Her wall is covered with ribbons - a tangible testament to talent.
"I can see that there are ribbons; I wouldn't be able to read them," says Ali.
Her mother, Cyndie Steenis, says, "I think people can't even begin to understand how a rider rides blind."
When she was competing for the state 4-H dressage honors, Ali almost didn't make it.
A burst of music spooked her horse Watchman. Even worse, the headset Ali was using to navigate the arena - her ears that are her eyes - dropped.
"My first thought was, 'Oh my gosh, I'm going to have to scratch,'" says Ali.
"All of a sudden she's literally riding blind," adds her mother.
But with patience and a steady hand, Ali completed the test - and placed third.
And so another award was added to Ali's wall - but she doesn't need to look at it. Because who says you need to see to believe at all.
"Just the feeling that it's there and knowing all that accomplishment is up there is a symbol of all I've had to overcome," she says.
I was incredibly blessed to watch Ali's dressage test that night at fair. Words cannot say what an incredible job she and Watchman did. The stands did not have a dry eye in them. By far the most moving thing I have seen yet that involved horse and rider!
Wow.....I'm scared to give a horse a carrot much less ride one...and I see just fine. Simply amazing.Â
"Whoa Nellie!" Wonderful achievement.
This makes me smile. Very lovely and talented, and won't let nothing stop her. We need more like her in the world!
Your parents chose the perfect name for you, Ali, because you are already growing into one heck of a fighter. Kudos, and looking forward to reading about your many successes in life.Â
Right on. Now theres the American spirit.
and boy we complain about stuff, so good for her and her family for supporting her. I wish her well
A very inspirational young woman.
wow, this is great. I hope she is able to use this determination in all areas of her life.
 @BlueJedi She definitely does! Not only does she ride but she's an honors student and getting ready to go off to college. She is an inspiration in many ways :)
 @Jettgirl  You sound as though you know her. Is someone giving her directions via the headset that dropped? Can't be easy. Dressage is pretty exacting.
 @Chico  @JettgirlÂ
The person on the headset calls out the letters as she is passing them so she knows where she is in the arena. Visually impaired riders also use what are called "living letters," where people stand at each letter around the dressage court and call them out as the rider approaches and reaches the letter. Ali uses both the headset and the living letters.Â