Rooted at Rivers Edge. Rising in the Ring. Meet our Spotlight Rider: Eliana Grek

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Eliana “Elli” Grek through my own barn, riding alongside her at Rivers Edge Farm on Wadmalaw Island. From the very beginning, Elli’s drive and determination have stood out. She is thoughtful in her riding, deeply committed to her horses, and always pushing herself to improve. Watching her grow as a rider has been inspiring, and I have no doubt she has an exciting future ahead in this sport. We’re so excited to feature her in our Spotlight Series.

1. How did you first get into riding?

A friend from school actually introduced me to riding. She recommended it, and I thought it sounded like a lot of fun, so I asked my mom to sign me up for lessons. It all started from there when I began riding with Eliza Hay at Rivers Edge Farm.

2. You also participate in IEA. Tell me more about your experience.

On the IEA team, I ride a lot of slower horses that have had much more experience in the show ring. I really like IEA because it gives me so much experience riding different types of horses. I’m always learning new things.

3. You’ve shown at Horse Spot shows, including the Sea Island Series that’s local to us on John’s Island. What’s your favorite part of that horse show?

I love going because of the people. I really enjoy the showing experience there because it’s always organized and runs smoothly, unlike some bigger shows that can fall behind schedule and you don’t really know when you’re going.

4. Tell us about your most recent care lease, ET.

ET is a six year old Chestnut gelding. When it came to riding him, he was always extremely willing. He always tried his best and just loves being around people. While riding him, he could get unbalanced at times, so we worked a lot on his lead changes and building up his strength. He was seriously one of the best care leases I’ve ever had. I had never ridden a horse like him before, and he gave me so many new experiences.

5. What’s been your proudest riding moment?

I’ve found the most success showing Rio. At the Tryon International Equestrian Center, I won second in a Derby on him. I’ve completely fallen in love with him because he’s so reliable—he’s a very experienced show horse. I can go to shows and ride without worrying about things like lead changes or bad distances because he always takes care of me.

6. What do you do best as a rider and what are you working on?

I always try to take care of the horse first and foremost. If I get a bad distance, I try to release so I don’t catch the horse in the mouth. I think I do a good job with that because I’ve learned a lot from all the mistakes I’ve made throughout my career. Right now, I’m working on keeping my horses balanced through their lead changes.

7. Who in the horse world inspires you the most?

My trainer, Eliza Hay. I want to be her when I grow up. She’s such a talented rider—and honestly, she’s just that cool.

8. What advice would you give to younger riders or to pony kids that are just starting out?

If you want to keep riding in this sport, you have to be fully committed. Taking care of two horses means I’m at the barn every day of the week. There will also be hard moments in your career. If you have a challenging horse or one that refuses, it can be really discouraging. For example, the horse I’m rehabbing now, Mia, knocked my confidence at first—but I haven’t given up, and things are getting better.

Don’t give up, and stay committed.

9. What are you most excited about recently?

I’m really looking forward to my next trip to WEC! 

10. Who is your all-time favorite heart horse?

Either Rio or my old pony, Viva. I had so much fun riding Viva—it always felt like I was flying over the jumps. She really solidified my love for riding.

Elli’s passion for riding, commitment to her horses, and respect for the learning process shine through in every part of her journey. From her early days at Rivers Edge Farm to her success in the show ring and her dedication to continual growth, she exemplifies what it means to truly love this sport. We can’t wait to continue watching her progress and cheering her on as she chases her goals both in and out of the ring.

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