Photos and Text by Justine Lockhart
The heat has already started to peak, but to Anika Lockhart it doesn’t matter. Even as the sweat rolls down her face, she keeps riding, pushing herself, and her horse, onward. Lockhart has been riding horses since she was a child but she didn’t get back into it until 2013. “I’ve always loved horse since I can remember,” Lockhart said.
After picking up her old hobby, she began training for shows. Lockhart rides dressage, a type of horseback riding in which the rider makes the horse perform choreographed movements. Horse and rider have to be in tune with one another to be successful, but Lockhart believes that she and her horse, Bentley, have developed a special relationship. “You have to work in harmony with the horse,” Lockhart said. “You have to work with them and build up a relationship where they want to work and they actually enjoy it.”
Lockhart’s love for horses has not been dulled since childhood, and she plans to keep riding for as long as she can. “It’s a very relaxing but also challenging activity,” Lockhart said. “I love everything about it.”
Lockhart leaves the barn after several hours at AEC. 
Lockhart strokes Bentley, She has owned him for three years. 
Lockhart watches another rider work with her horse, Ronan. 
Lockhart chides Frodo after he tries to snack on grass on the way from the pasture to the tack stalls. 
Mary Mobley, right, gives riding advice to Lockhart, left. Lockhart often rides Mobley’s horses, Frodo and Star. 
Lockhart picks up her horse’s hooves. Especially after rainy days, the horse’s hooves are muddy and need to be cleaned. 
Lockhart gives Bentley a bath after their workout. 
After a long ride, Lockhart takes off her sweaty helmet. 
Lockhart, who rides dressage, works on her lead changes with Frodo in AEC’s indoor arena 
Anika Lockhart, 36-years-old, warms up her horse, Bentley, before a ride at the Austin Equestrian Center.