Classic Eventing Nation

Mother daughter dream team! Bunnie and Maddie Sexton with Rise Against. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

What can you do when you find yourself horseless two days before a competition? Borrow your mother’s four-star horse Rise Against if you’re Maddie Sexton!

“I was set to compete Training on my own horse and our home bred, Celtic Star, but he showed symptoms of a mild case of colic on Thursday morning,” Maddie explained. “I took him home so he could be near Alamo Vet Clinic just in case and, since my mom wasn’t competing ‘Ecko’, she offered him up to me.”

Maddie has become Ecko’s handler as she’s jogged him countless times at some of his biggest competitions in her mom’s place, but she hadn’t yet gotten the chance to compete him herself. “Basically, my mom is super generous and I’m super grateful!” she said.

Rise Against and Maddie Sexton, jogging for Bunnie Sexton. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

It’s been 11 years since Ecko last competed at training level, but he settled right into a rhythm with Maddie, although not without a little excitement in the warm up.

“I had never ridden him in cross county before, although I have catch ridden a few horses so I wasn’t too worried. He was a bit of mad man in warm up, which I’ve seen when my mom is ready to go out at Rolex, but I can’t say I was expecting it for Training at home,” Maddie said.

“It made me a bit nervous, but the second I left the box he was perfect. I’m my harshest critic, so the videos are a bit hard for me to watch, but it felt amazing. It felt like he knew exactly what I was asking for which was an incredible feeling. He definitely knows what he’s doing and loves it.”

“He’s such a cool guy and I totally get why he’s my moms heart horse. I’m super grateful she let me have the ride and I’m crossing my fingers that the opportunity comes up again,” she smiled.

We are happy to report that Celtic Star was in great health by Friday.

Check out Maddie and Ecko’s weekend thanks to Ride On Video:

In the market for a new four-legged partner? You may find your unicorn on our sister site, Sport Horse Nation. To help with the search, we’re going to feature a selection of current listings here on EN each week. We include the ad copy provided; click the links for videos, pricing and contact information.

Foxhunting is a sport that was synonymous with eventing as a cross training opportunity. While these days we have a tendency to want to bubble wrap our event horses head to toe, there are many eventers who still take advantage of the education afforded in the hunt field.

Recently I started taking my young event horse out with hounds and he seems to love it. I can already see where the experience will benefit him on cross country as he learns to bravely but smartly navigate different terrains and ground conditions while remaining focused and balanced.

Looking to find a horse you can event and hunt? Here are six horses with experience in both sports.

Patriot. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Amateur Friendly Eventer and Fox Hunter

Seasoned Eventer and Foxhunter OTTB 15.3 hand 8 year old gelding offered for sale, Tea Party O’Nine, fondly referred to as Patriot.

Patriot has evented successfully through training level and hunted a full season with the Arapahoe Hunt in Colorado. In the hunt field, he can go from first flight to hill topping with ease. Patriot is reliable and straightforward to the jumps, hacks out alone or in a group. He will do ditches, water, etc, and does not look at colorful show jumping fences.

He is the same horse away at events as he is at home. This gelding has an “in your pocket” personality and is a kind and willing worker. He is sound and sane with no vices and loads, clips, ties like a gentleman, he is a farrier and veterinarian favorite. Ideal home would be adult amateur or junior rider looking for a low level eventer, fox hunter, or all-around pleasure horse. Located in Pennsylvania.

Happy Harry. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Fantastic event pony for sale!

“Happy Harry” is a 14 hand pinto pony. He has successfully competed at several unrecognized Beginner Novice events, bringing home a 4th at the July Bucks County horse trials. Easy and careful, Harry is point and shoot to the fences. He is also a fun foxhunter, and would make a fantastic all around pony club pony.

He does enjoy being in a program, the fitter he gets the more fun he becomes. Not suitable for a very small child or baby beginner. Will continue to be shown until sold, moving up to Novice at the next Fair Hill! Located in Maryland.

Manuel. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

16.2hh Wonderful Grey Thoroughbred Gelding

Manuel is a super nice 16. 2hh 10 year old OTTB. He is very kind and willing, but has not yet had a lot of show or hunting experience. This horse has scope galore, but is not for a beginner as he often over-jumps. Manuel is super quiet when in a consistent program. He has the potential to make a superb foxhunter.

This is a lovely horse, priced to sell at no fault of his own. His owner was working too much to see him often and is now relocating to a different state. Price is negotiable for a quick sale and perfect home. Perfect, loving home for this wonderful horse is a MUST! Located in Virginia.

Aurelia. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Whipper-In and first flight foxhunter

Aurelia is a 15.3 hand 8 year old homebred and unraced registered Thoroughbred dark bay mare. We bred and raised her, and she is from the family of the great event sire, Sadler’s Wells.

Aurelia has a season of foxhunting under her belt, being used by one of our students as a whipper-in. She was also hunted in the first field by our student’s timid adult amateur mother. They both claim that there is not a horse better made for the hunt field. She is great with the hounds, stands quietly, never acts up, and of course, is a great jumper!

She has never been given any sort of sedation for any riding/hunting, ever. She schools solid training level dressage and has schooled up to 3’6″ in gymnastics. She has evented at the beginner novice level and is very quiet and sensible in all situations, both on the farm, off the farm, under saddle, on the ground, in the hunt field or the show ring.

Snaffle ride in all circumstances, never pulls. She is beautiful and has great legs and feet. She has a comfortable, very balanced canter to sit. She is sound and healthy. Located in Virginia.

Inntrigue. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Winning Novice Oldenburg Sport Horse

Inntrigue is a lovely 9 year Oldenburg sport horse who has found her niche in the eventing world! She is out of Art Deco and Scenic Skyline. I purchased her 8 months ago for my future prelim horse, but due to grad school/moving/job changes I am forced to sell her already.

This mare LOVES jumping! She never stops, and she’s a cross country machine. She loves water, ditches, banks and she always cleans up in stadium. She won her first Open Novice with a 28.3! She is very adjustable and has her auto changes. I have taken her fox hunting, on numerous trail rides, and she is the exact same in any environment. She ties, stands for farrier, loads, clips- you name it!

This mare has a lot of potential and with the right rider she will go very far! She’s not mareish, and is currently turned out with two geldings. Inntrigue truly is a super special mare, but she is not for a beginner. She can get forward in stadium and she requires very quiet hands in dressage. Located in Georgia.

Movie. Photo via Sport Horse Nation.

Fancy 16.1+ 9 yr old liver chestnut TB gelding. $7500

Movie is sensible for a amateur or junior rider looking to Event, Foxhound or show jumpers. He has schooled ditches, banks and water with no hesitation and is ready to compete. He is smart and deliberate at fences and is wonderful on the flat. He also has fox hunted quite a bit and is lovely out in the field. Rides in a snaffle. Sound and healthy with full set of 2 year old X-rays available. Located in Maryland.

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Photo courtesy of Susan Graham White.

Susan Graham White is an accomplished horsewoman. Eventing Nation may recognize her as a clinician, dressage judge or as a leading voice in the USEA Future Event Horse Series, but Susan is also a talented musician who has just released her fourth album, Lost Art.

Susan has spent the last decades leading somewhat of a double life, splitting her time between music and horses. “I’ve been a singer/songwriter my whole life, and in college I was a music major, but then I’ve always had an incredible passion for horses too,” Susan said. “Between the two it was always really hard to know what I wanted to do, and I just decided to do them both.”

As a musician, she has received many accolades including the Washington Area Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year (twice!), two Maryland Governor’s awards for songwriting and vocal excellence and her first solo album Rescue was called the “Best Independent Release” of 1992 by songwriter Christine Lavin. As a horsewoman, she has ridden through top levels of dressage, and she is a licensed FEI “I” Eventing Judge, USEF “R” Dressage Judge and USEF “R” Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Judge.

Photo courtesy of Susan Graham White.

She continued to pursue both fields, but when she got a record label deal and touring started taking over barn time, she put her passion for music on the back burner. “Now it’s at the point after a lot of years I have a particular group of songs that I’ve had sitting for a while that I’ve always wanted to get out on an album. There were a number of things happening that it ended up being the opportune time. It’s been an amazing experience,” Susan explained.

The pieces have set easily back in place for Susan’s return to the studio. “Being away so long it feels like it’s all new, and yet I have all these wonderful musician friends that have come in and helped out, so it’s kind of been a homecoming too,” she smiled.

Album cover courtesy of Susan Graham White.

Just as Susan has evolved as a rider and trainer through her career with horses, her music has seen changes over the years. “You get better at your craft the longer you do it, but I also think you get more confident in it. I think as a songwriter that’s what the beauty of this album is,” Susan elaborated. “I don’t feel like I’m tied down to saying I have to be this or that – these are just songs that are inspired some way or another.”

Her creative process for this album took twists and turns as she continued to balance horses and music, but the finished product is a standout. Lost Art is be available on CD at this link.