With the help of top instructors from coast to coast, she became "the youngest rider to win the 17 & Under CPHA finals at age 10" and is believed to be the youngest juvenile rider from California to win at the World's Championship Horse Show at age 11.
At eleven, she traveled across the United States to train with the First Lady of Equitation in the American Saddlebred industry, world-renowned horse trainer Mrs. Helen K. Crabtree of Crabtree Farms in Simpsonville, Kentucky. Riding with the Crabtree's, RuthAnne won multiple world championship titles and to this day gives full credit to her trainers, grooms, parents, and talented horses with their big hearts.
RuthAnne's image is on the cover of one of several books written by Helen K. Crabtree titled: Saddle Seat Equitation: The Definitive Guide (Revised Edition). The cover description reads: "RuthAnne Lewis, a champion equitation rider, here demonstrates perfect form while showing Spencer County."