A young Lawrence woman and her horse are competing in one of the nation’s top equestrian events this weekend in California.

“Clare’s wanted to do this since she was 14 and first found out about it,” said Gayleen Hove, mother of Clare Hove, a 17-year-old student at Seabury Academy. “It’s the top of this junior level.”

The U.S. Equestrian Foundation Junior Dressage Team Championship in Pebble Beach, Calif., is sanctioned by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Clare Hove and her Danish Warmblood horse, Dona Stidsholt, qualified after competing in four dressage shows in May. Hove finished 10th in the country. Only the top 12 riders were invited.

The championship is meant to help young riders prepare for international competition.

In most events in the United States, there are two judges watching the every move of rider and horse and scoring their performances. On the international level, there are five judges.

“They’re teaching them how to deal with the pressure of five judges looking at them,” Gayleen Hove said. “Dressage riders are competing against a standard, not so much each other. It’s so disciplined.”

According to the U.S. Dressage Foundation, dressage is a French term meaning training. It teaches a horse to be obedient, willing, supple and responsive. Riders can give the horse a command by a variety of subtle movements such as a squeeze of the calf, a closing of the fingers or a shifting of weight in the saddle.

“You have to have incredible self-control,” Gayleen Hove said, comparing the sport to diving. “Every single muscle twitch is evaluated.”