By competitive standards, it's been quite a successful year for 11 year old Madison Dwyer from GIbson and her 6 year old Arabian gelding, KF Kestrel. In their first year together as a team, the pair finished in the top five in the Intro Dressage division for riders 10 and under at the Arabian National Championships in Virginia. Horse and rider also won top five awards in Hunt Seat Equitation 10 and under and the Walk-Trot Pleasure 10 and under divisions.

At the East Coast Arabian Championships in August, the pair were champions in the Intro Dressage division for riders 10 and under, and reserve champions in the Sport Horse Geldings in hand division. Madison's mother Winston rode Kestrel to the East Coast Championship in the Dressage Training Level division for Adult Amateurs.

In September they attended the U.S. Arabian and Half-Arabian Sporthorse National Championships, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. More than 600 horses from all 50 states and Canada competed in Dressage, Jumping, and Sporthorse in hand and under saddle classes for the chance to become National Champion in their respective divisions. Kestrel was named U.S. Reserve National Champion in the Sporthorse gelding in hand division in a field of more than 50 horses. In addition, Winston Dwyer rode Kestrel to a top 10 award in the Sporthorse Under Saddle division for amateurs, with more than 70 horses competing.

They received a bronze horse trophy and a garland of flowers, as well as prize money.

Madison is the daughter of Gary and Winston Dwyer and is a sixth grader at Marlboro Academy.