Lois Cooper’s victory abroad reflects resilience in the saddle and discovery in the classroom
When Lois Cooper ’28 entered the ring at the XIX Festival Hípico Internacional de Salto “Héroes de Paz” in Quito, Ecuador, she carried more than the expectations of competition. She carried the weight of adaptation, determination, and the quiet confidence forged through years of discipline.
A sophomore at Presbyterian College, Cooper was one of just four riders from the United States invited to compete in the prestigious international show jumping event, hosted by Ecuador’s National Police. Riders from across the Americas gathered for the three-day competition, held at a training facility just outside the capital city.
By the end of the weekend, Cooper stood atop the field—winning her class after navigating not only a challenging course, but the complexities of riding an unfamiliar horse in an unfamiliar place.
Trusting the partnership
Unlike many competitions, Cooper did not travel with her own horse. Instead, she was paired with Lothbrock, a borrowed mount owned by a local rider.
With only a short window to prepare, Cooper had to do what elite equestrians are trained to do: build trust quickly.
“You take it as a challenge,” she said. “Every horse is different. They all have their own personalities, and you have to adapt the way you ride to fit them.”
That adaptability proved critical. Show jumping is a precise and technical discipline, often compared to an obstacle course. Riders must memorize a course of jumps, measure distances between them, and execute a plan with speed and accuracy—all while maintaining harmony with the horse beneath them.
It’s a sport that demands not just physical skill, but mental discipline.
“There’s a lot of technicality in it,” Cooper said. “You want to be clear, and you want to be quick—but especially on a horse you don’t know, it takes a lot of focus.”
By Saturday, that focus paid off. Cooper delivered a clean and controlled ride, outperforming a field of roughly 20 competitors to claim first place in her division.
Resilience in motion
For Cooper, success in the ring is rarely defined by a single moment. It is built over time—through setbacks, adjustments, and persistence.
Her journey to Ecuador is no exception.
A lifelong rider, Cooper began taking lessons at a young age alongside her sister. By 14, she had committed fully to the sport, transitioning from gymnastics to competitive equestrian training. Since then, she has worked with multiple horses and trainers, refining both her technical skills and her mental approach.
That mindset has been tested repeatedly.
Her horse at home, a 12-year-old gelding named Impala, has been both a challenge and a reward. Injured in 2023, Impala was sidelined for nearly a year—a period that required patience and perspective.
“The challenge makes the reward with him,” Cooper said. “That was a mental hurdle I had to get through. It taught me patience, which has never been my forte.”
It’s a lesson that extends beyond the arena.
“You think you’re doing great one day,” she said, “and then the next day you get thrown off. That’s true for everybody with horses.”
Rather than discouraging her, those moments have reinforced a deeper resilience—one that carried her through competition in Ecuador and continues to shape her outlook.
I came into PC thinking that my only passion in the world was riding horses. And I was wrong.”
Lois Cooper ’28
Learning beyond the saddle
While Cooper’s success in the ring is impressive, her journey at Presbyterian College reveals an equally important dimension of her growth.
The daughter of Chip and Miki Cooper of Clinton and a graduate of Clinton High School, Cooper chose to attend PC in part to remain close to her family—and to her horse. But what she discovered on campus has expanded her vision in unexpected ways.
Initially focused almost entirely on equestrian pursuits, Cooper has since embraced the broader opportunities of a liberal arts education.
“I came into PC thinking that my only passion in the world was riding horses,” she said. “And I was wrong.”
Now a biology major, Cooper credits her coursework—and particularly the influence of Charles A. Dana Professor of Biology Dr. Mike Rischbieter—for opening new pathways.
“I had a class that just made me realize how much I love natural science,” she said. “That’s something I didn’t expect.”
That discovery has begun to shape her future goals. While she continues to compete at a high level, Cooper is also exploring careers that intersect her academic interests with her lifelong passion for horses.
“I’ve been thinking about working with horses in a clinical way,” she said, citing fields such as equine chiropractic care and acupuncture. “Something that keeps me active, working with people and with horses—that’s important to me.”
Balancing passion with purpose
In a sport where careers can be unpredictable, Cooper approaches her future with both ambition and pragmatism.
Riding at an elite level requires not only skill, but also resilience in the face of risk. Injuries are common, and long-term stability is never guaranteed.
“It’s a volatile thing,” she said. “One bad fall, and you could be out for weeks. There’s no guarantee.”
That reality has shaped her commitment to academics.
“I put school first,” she said. “You always have to have a backup for the backup.”
At Presbyterian College, she has found the space to pursue both tracks simultaneously—developing as a student while continuing to compete.
