Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star at Rolex in 2015. Photo by Kasey Mueller/Rare Air Eventing Photography.
Caitlin Silliman announced today that she is retiring her longtime Advanced partner Catch A Star from the upper levels. Young rider Ada Plumb will now campaign “Hoku” with the goal of aiming for a CCI*.
“Hoku has taken me places even I never dreamed we would go together,” Caitlin said. “She has been my partner to the highest level of the sport and has assisted in turning my dreams into a reality. I feel that as a rider it is always our job to decide when are greatest partners are ready to step down a notch, and I feel that time has come for my good friend Hoku.”
Caitlin and Hoku, a 16-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred mare (Casi x Star of History) bred in California by Terry and Linda Paine, completed 11 events at the three-star level and above, including finishing 24th in their four-star debut at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2013.
Caitlin Silliman and Catch A Star at Rolex in 2013. Photo by Kasey Mueller/Rare Air Eventing Photography.
“I am excited to watch Ada learn from Hoku as they develop their partnership together,” Caitlin said. “It is bittersweet for me knowing I won’t be riding her at the top levels again, but at the same time, I know that as much as she has given me, she still has more to give to someone, and I will certainly remain her biggest fan.”
Ada, a young rider based in Pennsylvania, has competed through Preliminary with Amarillo, her 11-year-old Welsh Pony gelding, and hopes to compete Hoku in a CCI* in 2016 or 2017.
Caitlin relocated to Will Coleman’s Tivoli Farm in Gordonsville, Virginia last year to launch her own business, and she has several exciting young horses she is currently bringing through the levels, including Vagabon de Champdoux, the 2014 USEA Young Event Horse East Coast 5-Year-Old Champion.
We wish Ada and Hoku all the best in their new partnership together and look forward to seeing them out and about at competitions. Go Hoku!
