"I was never an equitation rider, but always wanted to do the jumpers," confides McKnight, who was reserve grand champion at Pony Finals in 1999 on her Wontoknow.

What's been easy for her? "The bravery. I have no fear, whether it's six feet high or two. I have to work on discipline. I tend to see a long spot and not be as consistent in trying to see the distance so they can rock back. I guess it's just my nature," she admits.

A really bad moment? "Culpepper (Virginia): I was going clear, and then totally chipped into the water. I hated that." McKnight credits trainer, international grand prix rider and HorseCity.com guest columnist, Molly Ashe, with inspiration. "She can get on any horse and make them go perfectly. When I try to do it, it's ten times harder."

(Give yourself time, Anna...)

McKnight cites the bad habit that looms largest as "not using enough leg, going slow, adding a stride and then having a rail. Molly says, 'Go forward, Anna, or you'll be much more likely to get into trouble if you go slow." McKnight's chosen career: grand prix rider, of course!

She admits that when she first began pursuing her type of riding, her family wasn't completely on board. "Mom fox hunts, brother races, Dad plays polo. I think at first, they didn't understand it, but now...it's great!"

Horses:

Marina:

"The first time I rode her, that was it...I had to have her. She suited me so perfectly, hot quick and very 'mare - ey' (a new word!). She had been abused, scared of everyone, so she trusts me and the person who takes care of her. That's about all. She knows exactly who we are.

"No, the horse has never bucked or reared, but watch out, because the first day of any horse show she goes crazy, sideways and more! I just ignore her and do what I have to do, and she settles down. We are a great match."

Montrachet:

The grand prix horse is a very new mount for McKnight, having been with her only four weeks at HorseCity.com press time. " At 16, he's the sweetest old man," acknowledges McKnight. "He really knows his job - he learned it well with Elise and Judy - so he knows just what to do. He takes care of me. But I have to be careful not to override him or he gets worried. He'd prefer that I not get really aggressive, but rather, ride quiet and still."

McKnight's horses typify what she cherishes most: heart and attitude. "I can tell when a horse wants to win, or doesn't care. Even if they don't have the most scope, if they have plenty of the other, they'll do it for you." And both Marina and Montrachet do!