The
5 STUDENT ATHLETES OF INTEREST
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BY GREG GARDNER
In just two years, Megan Osteen has won
two of the most prestigious horse show
competitions in the country.
The 17-year-old John Carroll High
School junior has an amazing schedule as
she juggles school, horse shows, lacrosse, two
hours a night of homework and participation
in five extracurricular clubs.
“I’m always doing something,” says Osteen.
“I’ve studied hard to get my grades. It doesn’t
come easy. My mom and dad have always
taught me to manage my time wisely. I am
always busy.” And she evidently has a secret
because she also is a member of the National
Honor Society, Computer Club, Christian
Service Club, Multi-cultural Club and Anchor
Club, where students provide community
services such as visiting nursing homes.
Osteen just made the school lacrosse team. “I
had been riding and decided to try something
new,” she says. “I love all the girls on the team.
Everyone treats you with respect. They’ve
supported me and they always have my back.
It’s not easy. I’ve practiced a lot and hopefully I
will be getting better soon.
Certainly the practice with her horse, Naturally
Bionic, has finally paid off. “It’s really
time-consuming,” Osteen says. “It has been a
lot of hard work on my part, on my trainer’s
part and my parents’ part. It’s my hobby. I plan
to continue riding in college while obtaining a
degree in business management. When I finish
college, I plan to get a job in the horse business.”
Named Justin Rookie of the Year in 2008,
Osteen also won the 2009 Ford AQHYA World
Championship Show working hunter finals.
She has been in more than 30 shows, too many
to count, Osteen says.
“I’ve been riding since I was 8 or 9,” she
says. “Friends of my parents had a ranch and
we used to go out there and ride. I fell in love
with the horses. Finally, we bought our first
horse and everything fell into place and I just
started riding and riding.”
Ricky, Naturally Bionic’s barn name, is kept
at stables in Wellington. With her schedule,
Osteen can only practice once or twice a week.
“When Megan is schooling her horse, she
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