A bit of Olympic silver dust was sprinkled across the UC Davis Equestrian Center this week.

Gina Miles, who rode at the campus facility in the 1980s and early '90s and has returned to hold clinics for UC Davis equestrians, won an individual silver medal Aug. 12 in the eventing sport held in Hong Kong, while riding her 14-year-old horse, McKinlaigh.

Riding students, boarders and staff at the center had been following the competition closely, said Julie Smith, an assistant director of Campus Recreation who is responsible for the center. "They're excited for her," she said.

Eventing highlights the versatility, athleticism and harmony of horse and rider. It combines dressage, the precise ballet of the equine world featuring moves evolved from mounted battle; cross country, a fast-paced ride over jumps and other obstacles on natural terrain; and show jumping, a timed ride in an arena.

Miles, a 1991 graduate of Davis High School, took lessons and boarded her horse at the UC Davis facility. Although never a student at UC Davis, she rode with the UC Davis Eventing Team at a time when nonstudents were allowed to participate, as well as with the Panache Pony Club of Davis.

"She was one who was super dedicated from the beginning," said Holly Fox, who is program coordinator at the Equestrian Center and is involved with the Pony Club.

In 2007, Miles represented the United States at the Pan American and World Equestrian Games, where she earned team gold and individual bronze medals.

The horsewoman, who earned a bachelor's degree in crop science from California Polytechnical State University, San Luis Obispo, is the principal of Miles Eventing, an equestrian business. She lives in Creston (San Luis Obispo County) with her husband and two children.

The UC Davis Eventing Team, which has about 15 members, is one of four UC Davis equestrian teams. About 100 students participate in the equestrian club.