Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

When most high school graduates head off to college they say goodbye to family and friends.

When Eagle River’s Emily Geppert leaves for the Savannah College of Art and Design at the end of the summer she will say goodbye to her two horses.

Even though the Alaska champion rider will continue her career with the college’s equestrian team, she can’t take 19-year Mahadi or 13-year-old Scotty.

Sadly, she has to sell the family horses because she is leaving Alaska. It’s one of the toughest things she’s had to do in her 18 years.

“It’s like losing a trusty dog you’ve had for years,” she told me. “My horse Mahadi, I’ve had him five years. I go riding four or five times a week for several hours a day. I’m hoping to sell to someone and put in the contact the right to have the opportunity to purchase him again.”

Geppert, of Chugiak High fame, believes the relationship between a horse and rider is a special bond that is developed over time.

“It’s the most important aspect for me because you are competing with another animal that has a mind of its own,” she said. “You need to understand them to get a good ride.”

In George, Geppert will have to get her horse whisperer on because she will deal with all new horses at the Savannah College of Art and Design stable. She isn’t worried.

“Being a good rider entails being able to get on any horse and ride him correctly from the get-to,” said Geppert, who has been riding half her life.

Going to college isn’t all horse play, though. She will enroll in the accredited architecture school

“I like art and math a lot,” she said. “I did a mentorship this part year with Gordon Thompson of Cole & Thompson Architects. I got to shadow him on the job and see what all of it was about. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the work that I did with him.”