Classic Eventing Nation

Grit, Guts and Glory On Display at Adelaide Equestrian Festival CCI5*

By on May 7, 2025 9:00 am -

Photo by Atalya Boytner.

EN roving reporter and photographer Atalya Boytner made a special trip to the southern hemisphere to experience eventing in Australia. The Adelaide Equestrian Festival hosts an annual CCI5* alongside other international competitions, and it’s a spectacle we’ve always wanted to see for ourselves. Through Atalya’s eyes, let’s dive in to an incredible weekend of horse sport “down under.”

The Setting

David Middleton and WEC In the Money. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

First impressions of Adelaide:

Walkable. Accessible. Beautiful.

I don’t know what I expected from a competition that makes its calling card about their location in the middle of a city but in my experience with equestrian events, “middle of a city” is a generous term. 

Not so here.

The Adelaide Park Lands, a National Heritage site, cover about 932 hectacres (that’s a whooping 2303 acres) and provides dog parks, exercise structures, barbeque areas, running trails, cycling trails, horse racing, and what I think looks like a car race track to the populace of the City of Adelaide. While the cross country course winds its way through much of the Park Lands, the main arena and all the associated infrastructure takes place in Victoria Park, also known as Pakapakanthi in language of the Kuarna people. 

It’s about a 30-minute walk from downtown Adelaide, also known as the CBD – Central Business District but it’s more fun if you don’t know that. Or 10 minutes from the east end of Adelaide. Myself and my roller bag of chock-full camera gear along with a backpack of necessary snacks, extra batteries, and water conquered the walk twice a day passing Bauhus-like fire stations, glass box office buildings, art deco shops and galleries, and many, many stone churches. A city of festivals and food, there’s a Tasting Australia event that I walk through every day to get to the Adelaide Equestrian Festival. I pass Greek restaurants, every kind of Asian restaurant you could dream up, Italian, French, and delicious coffee on almost every corner. A footy game (based on excited Australian explanations to the ignorant American, it sounds like a mix between soccer, football, and rugby with a dash of cricket) came to town Saturday night which started plenty of time after the eventing finished for a leisurely stroll over to the stadium, 20 min from Victoria Park. 

City scenes are visible throughout the Adelaide venue. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

All this to say, heart of the city is not just a saying. It’s fact.

You would be forgiven for thinking this means being physically fit and able. You would be incorrect. 

In one week of being in Adelaide, I have seen more wheelchair bound individuals then I have seen in an entire month in the US. They are often solo, living life as independent and able members of society, going grocery shopping in the market I have been frequenting for my morning caffeine fix or simply enjoying a nice time with friends. Businesses have clear accessible routes marked, the public streets are designed without steps everywhere, and no one bats an eye, just simply make room on the sidewalk. Even on cross country day at the equestrian festival, I had to weave and work around many different people with wheelchairs. It is an event truly open to all who wish to come.

One of two road crossings that make Adelaide truly unique in its placement within the heart of the city. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

For a Californian, the landscape of Adelaide feels like home. Rolling sandy hills, eucalyptus trees everywhere, and a lovely soft sun to light everything. But there is history here too.

The Heritage Grand Stand is equal in grandeur and presence to the iconic palaces and country homes we see in the UK and is as integral to a vision of Adelaide as the Rolex Stadium in Kentucky. Built in the 1880s, its cast iron lacework filigree and blue stone base makes for a beautiful backdrop to the jogs, dressage, and show jumping phases. The English and German influence in the Adelaide city architecture makes its mark in the equestrian events too with its fun and playful style of marrying the old history with new design.

That playful style made its way onto the cross country at Adelaide, whose design from the outside may not seem as intimidating as the other 5* events across the globe. The fences themselves are all portable though they do not look it. Big tables, huge open corners that caused grief all over the course, lots of brush, and one fence that stands out from all the rest.

Muralist, activist, and artist-in-residence Matt Wiley puts the finishing touches on one of the artful masterpieces on the cross country course. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

Photo by Atalya Boytner.

Fence 24, the Beehives, was a straightforward galloping table for the horses and riders to navigate but its decoration sparked interest. Decorated with four pillars, two on each side that would later become show jumping standards, they were inspired by Adelaide architecture with mock stone edging and trim along their roof line. Each side of the pillar was hand painted by muralist, activist, and artist-in-residence Matt Wiley as part of his “The Good of the Hive” project. 

“I really look for projects that bring two things that you wouldn’t think of together because my work is about creating curiosity around the bees,” he explained. “When somebody says, why bees at as a jump? Immediately they’re in the state of mind that I want. Because when people are questioning, that’s when they’re open to learning something. I’ve been hearing [here at Adelaide Equestrian Festival] about the way that people work with their horses. You’re listening to your horse. How you nurture that relationship with the horse really got me thinking about, how do we nurture our relationships with pollinators? How are we thinking about taking care of them and listening to what they need?”

The structure of the jump was all Mike Etherington-Smith, the course designer at Adelaide, and his team of builders but Matt made sure to speak with them about the design he would paint on the face.

“I’d never done a jump, I had a lot of questions about it! Are the bees that I paint going to freak out the horses? I wanted to use black, because of the contrast with the grass and the colors. But I [didn’t] know what that does for depth when a horse is going up. So I had a lot to learn and the design of it, but I really leaned on [the course designer and builders] to advise me.”

But you didn’t come here to hear me wax poetic. What about the eventing?

The Stories

It takes a village, as demonstrated by Jess Somerfield. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

The make-up of the 2025 Adelaide CCI5* field is one that makes us remember why eventing is so special.

Every rider (based on FEI records) has brought their own horse up the levels themselves. All of them have been partnered with their rides for 3 or more years with most of them together as combinations since 2017. The horses are Thoroughbreds and homebreds, with a dash of warmblood here and there. There are amateurs competing alongside professionals and Olympians. Young blood and veterans are having a go of the highest level of sport.

It’s human.

While the Kentucky’s, Badminton’s, Luhmühlen’s, and all the elite levels of sport with their pomp and splendor are undeniably exciting, here I find myself reconnecting to that old excitement: this sport is for everyone and while it’s never easy and often requires every part of yourself, the doors to glory are open if only you have the grit and gumption to get to them.

It was a competition for the homebreds, the Thoroughbreds, and the rookies. 

David Middleton and WEC In the Money. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

David Middleton brought not one but two homebreds in WEC In the Money and WEC In the Breeze to contest the competition. Sophia Hill and her off-track Thoroughbred Humble Glory have traveled overseas and invested in their education to come back home better than ever. Amateur Joel Funnell came solo with his mount Airbrushed and did everything himself. Shane Rose, stalwart Australian team member and three-time Olympian, brought two off-track Thoroughbreds he acquired from a truckload to contest their first 5* after breaking his pelvis and femur in a fall early in 2024.

Ninth place finisher Yona Lloyd fulfilled a dream at his third attempt at the level and his horse’s first. A clear cross country round the day before with time added and two rails down on a day when they were flying meant he secured a top 10 on an unassuming little bay with a heart of gold. Bred by a friend and owned by Lloyd and close friends, Ballahowe Ayurvedic or ‘Wiz’ has been with Yona almost his entire life.

“You look at him, and he doesn’t look like a high-level horse. But when he’s out and going, he’s just got amazing scope and feels like he could jump whatever I stick him at,” Yona said. “We came here with the aim of finishing and having a really positive weekend for him, just for him to grow. I felt like that’s what happened. He’s been here the last two years in the CCI4*-S and CCI3*-L. Each year, [he’s] just progressing along and getting more comfortable. We struggle to get this environment in Australia. Yeah no, so stoked! He’s such a giving horse. I couldn’t ask for more.

Jess Somerfield and Finch Farm Carpenteria. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

Fourth place went to 5* rookie Jess Somerfield who brought a Queensland-bred horse in Finch Farm Carpentaria to contest her and the horse’s first 5* in a story that feels like a fairy tale. 

“He’s nothing short of quirky,” Jess describes ‘Finchy’, who was put on her radar by a former coach willing to sell her the horse for $1. “He’s so careful [and horse shy]. We had so many ditch problems and water jumps starting up. Then all of a sudden, this horse has just been everything and risen through the levels. I had a goal of going five-star this year, and I had an accident off my other horse and broke my collar bone.” Jess went on to the CCI4*-L at Werribee in June, but aggravated a fracture in her shoulder that had gone unnoticed before, making her arrival here at Adelaide all the more special. “You dream your whole life to do this. There’s no other horse that I would want to be on that last two minutes of cross country. I know that I’ve got his heart, and he’s got mine, and he’ll look after me. I just have every inch of trust in him through this journey.”

As the incredible speaker and leadership thinker Simon Sinek says: “We have to dream. How else will we make a future that does not yet exist?” 

For Jess and the team behind Finchy, that rings true. All their blood, sweat, and tears culminated in her best birthday present ever: a clear 5* cross country course with only time added to move her into the top five. 

The Competition

Shane Rose and The Bandit. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

That final day of competition felt a bit surreal for me too.

Walking into the park, listening to the bird calls in the wind in the trees – actually a very different sound than the wind in the trees in U.S., the old song came to mind: kookaburra sits in the old gumtree, merry merry king of the bush is he. The corellas loudly proclaim their territory, little noisy miners flit here and there, and indeed a couple kookaburras stare me down as I go by. It feels weirdly full circle though I’ve never had anything to do with Australia before in my life.

The whole media centre says hello to me as I walk in. Each person has been enormously helpful. My experience with 5* events in North America, whether eventing or show jumping, has always been about rules and all the things we as media representatives cannot do. Adelaide is much gentler and the freedom left me turning to those more knowledgeable about appropriate decisions (having permission to cross galloping lanes during cross country gave me a secret thrill every time. If you’ve ever worked the Kentucky or Maryland events and stressed about crossing points, you’ll know how much of a help this was). No matter how silly my questions must’ve seemed, the grace and kindness extended towards me was truly humbling. From remote camera placements to getting quotes from riders to jokingly bemoaning the fact that course designers never think of photographers, no level of support proved too big or too small. 

Just like the dressage and cross country, show jumping had its due influence on the competition. No one went double clear though heartbreakingly close was Sophia Hill who unfortunately went off course three fences from the finish and thus were eliminated. 

Hazel Shannon’s support team celebrates a big win. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

When the leader after cross country, Shane Rose and The Bandit, had three rails down, it was Hazel Shannon and the off-track Thoroughbred WillingaPark Clifford for the win. They set a new record as the only combination to win the Adelaide CCI5* four times. This puts their names alongside the likes of Oliver Townend (GBR) and Ballaghmor Class and Michael Jung (GER) and La Biosthetique Sam in the history books as one of the few combinations to win a 5* three times or more together. 

At 19 years old (20 in Thoroughbred years), there’s no doubt there were questions about ‘Clifford’ running a competition of this intensity. The distance, effort, and stamina need no explanation on how challenging and difficult they prove to be for horses of every age and experience. It wasn’t initially in Hazel’s plans to aim for a 5*, but after a good winter season and a strong, fit horse, she put in her entry and made the trek from Hunter Valley near Sydney to Adelaide. 

Clifford showed everyone, including Hazel, that he is not interested in slowing down and you can keep your doubts to yourself, thank you very much. He scored a 30.2 in the dressage, added 11.6 time penalties on cross country, and one rail down in the show jumping to prove himself the best of the lot and take home to the win. 

“I mean, 19 surely. How much longer can they go for?” Hazel laughed. “But I’ve been saying that for years. Clifford is just a mountain; he’s a bit of a freak and an outright, five-star horse. I do everything I can [for him]. I am really watchful about how much work I do and what surfaces I ride on. But he’s just an incredible horse. Some of them are born really tough, and he is definitely one of the toughest out there. I had probably a 1/10th of a say out on cross country but I’m really happy with how he’s gone.”

Hazel Shannon and WillingaPark Clifford. Photo by Atalya Boytner.

When asked if he was coming back next year, Hazel jokingly said, “I’ve been saying no for the last three years so surely not but it’s up to Clifford.”

Truly he was not one bit out of step. Ears pricked, coat shiny, and not a hair out of place after the show jumping, he looked ready to tackle another cross country course. 

Adelaide stole my heart and if you’re not careful, it will steal yours too. The glory of this event isn’t in the fancy horses or the pageantry or even the venue itself but in the long, slow, gritty, and determined work of dreams being quietly realized. 

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve been promised wild koalas and kangaroos so don’t mind if I see myself out!

Adelaide Equestrian Festival CCI5*: [Website] [Live Stream Replays] [Scores]

Wednesday News & Notes

By on May 7, 2025 12:01 am -

Hold on tight! Pippa Funnell coaxes an excitable MCS Maverick back to earth. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

It’s that time!! In just a few hours, we’ll kick off the 2025 MARS Badminton Horse Trials in earnest with the First Horse Inspection. Let’s all say a collective prayer to Eventing Jesus that we’ll have an antic-free trot-up (or DO we want an antic-free trot-up??) unlike last year, when Pippa Funnell’s MCS Maverick demonstrated his airs above the ground in true fit 5* horse fashion. We’ll have a full trot-up report for you coming later today, as well as our traditional Form Guide to the field of competitors, so keep it locked right here on EN for much more from Badminton.

MARS Badminton Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream] [XC Maps] [EN’s Coverage]

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Also on tap this weekend is our first 4*-L of the U.S. spring season, happening at the Yanmar America Tryon International in North Carolina. 13 combinations are slated to compete in the 4*-L, along with another 16 competing in the 4*-S division. There is a limited free live stream for this event, for Rings A and B in the dressage and then again for show jumping. You can view the live stream and schedule here. We’ll also be publishing press releases and a full recap here on EN over the weekend.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Tryon International Three-Day Event (NC): [Website] [Timetable] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Galway Downs Spring H.T. and Preliminary Challenge (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

River Glen Spring H.T. (TN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Unionville May H.T. (PA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Majestic Oaks Ocala H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Queeny Park H.T. (MO): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Hitching Post Farm H.T. (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

News & Reading

Olivia Cliver’s path from eventing to the international jumper ring proves there’s more than one route to the top. A former Advanced-level eventer with dreams of Young Riders, Cliver made the pivot to show jumping after parting ways with her beloved OTTB, My Mitch—and she hasn’t looked back. Now based in Texas, with her training program On The Mark Equestrian, Olivia recently scored back-to-back Grand Prix wins at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show aboard Connor 69, a quirky but talented Holsteiner with a mini companion named Apples. With World Cup qualifiers in her sights for 2025 and a goal of making it to the 2026 World Cup Final in Fort Worth, Cliver is a reminder that grace and a little humor (plus a good cookie) can take you far. Read the full story here.

Olympic #supergroom Adam Short is fresh off a memorable trip to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, where he helped Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality to a fifth place finish — and took home a $1,000 Best Turned Out prize himself. “I thought it was a joke at first,” Adam laughed, but the recognition (and the ability to celebrate with friends) meant the world. He credits the Dutta Corporation and Kentucky organizers for making the trip smooth, supportive, and even fun. “Kentucky is an amazing place, but what really makes it is the people,” he shared. Now it’s off to Badminton with more top horses and—thanks to his growing fan base—a new behind-the-scenes social media role. Read the interview with Adam here.

The FEI’s new noseband measuring device made its official British debut at Addington CDI—and according to riders, it was “a bit of a non-event.” Introduced on May 1, the tool is used to ensure nosebands aren’t overly tight, with riders like Carl Hester comparing it to a seatbelt: “You won’t think twice about it.” Stewards check by sliding the device under the noseband along the nasal bone; if it passes through, the fit is legal. Riders praised the process for being quick, low-drama, and ultimately good for horse welfare. Read more from this early usage in the UK here.

Want to up the ante with your gymnastics game this year? Build off of some previous gymnastic columns over on Horse Sport with this advanced-level grid that will help your horse build even more strengths. Think of the gymnastic grid like the squat rack for your horse! See how to set up this exercise and more here.

Video Break

Let the Badminton games begin!

USEA Executive Committee Approves Qualification Criteria Update for 2025 AEC at Galway Downs

By on May 6, 2025 9:30 am -

Taren Hoffos and Regalla. Photo by Sherry Stewart.

The USEA Executive Committee has approved an important update to the qualification criteria for the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds. This update expands the placing qualifications across the Starter through Preliminary levels.

Under the revised criteria, riders may now earn qualifying placings by finishing 1st through 5th place in all Starter – Preliminary divisions, including Rider and Amateur divisions. Intermediate and Advanced qualifications remain the same as in previous years.

“For the qualification period that began on May 20, 2024, and extends through August 12, 2025, we recognized that there have been limited qualification opportunities, especially in the western U.S., for a variety of reasons,” said USEA CEO Rob Burk. “Our hope is that this expansion will provide more of our members and their qualified horses with the opportunity to compete at the spectacular Galway Downs facility in Temecula, California. The goal of the AEC is to offer a national championship experience at every level of our sport. We want to increase access while maintaining the highest safety standards, which is why only the placing criteria have been adjusted.”

Competitors are encouraged to double-check their individual qualifications to ensure compliance with the updated guidelines. To review the full qualification criteria for the 2025 AEC, visit the AEC qualifications webpage.

The updated qualified riders list for 2025 may be found here.

The updated qualified horse list for 2025 may be found here.

This temporary change applies only to the 2025 AEC. A dedicated Task Force is currently reviewing the broader qualification framework for the 2026 AEC, with updated standards anticipated before May 20, 2025.

The 2025 AEC divisions targeted at being offered at Galway Downs are as follows:

AEC Divisions
$60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final
USEA Open Intermediate
Bates USEA Open Preliminary
Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur
Bates USEA Preliminary Rider
USEA Open Modified
USEA Modified Amateur
USEA Modified Rider
ARMA USEA Training Horse
ARMA USEA Training Amateur
ARMA USEA Training Rider
ARMA USEA Training Jr.
USEA Novice Horse
USEA Novice Amateur
USEA Novice Rider
USEA Novice Jr.
USEA Beginner Novice Horse
USEA Beginner Novice Amateur
USEA Beginner Novice Rider
USEA Beginner Novice Jr.
USEA Starter Amateur
USEA Starter Rider
USEA Starter Jr.

This year, the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) will include the following levels: Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Modified. Changes to the 2025 ATC were announced here.

If you have any further questions regarding your qualifications, please check the AEC Qualification page or call the office at (703) 779-0440 ext. 3008 to reach Hannah Seagle, Director of Competitions.

Tuesday News & Notes from Kentucky Performance Products

By on May 6, 2025 12:01 am -

 

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Coming your way today is the latest episode of The Go Eventing Podcast, featuring co-host Sinead Maynard. In this episode, we discuss the action at Defender Kentucky, do a quick preview of MARS Badminton, and dive into some of the controversy surrounding some sanctions given out at Kentucky and what, exactly, the role of the media is in these scenarios. It’s a don’t-miss episode, and you’ll be able to listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

U.S. Events Opening Today

Fox River Valley Pony Club H.T. (IL); Midsouth Pony Club H.T. (KY); Stable View Summer H.T. (SC); Round Top H.T. (CO); Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Summer H.T. (VA); Bucks County Horse Park H.T. (PA); Valinor Farm H.T. (MA)

U.S. Events Closing Today

Virginia Horse Center Eventing (VA); Spring Coconino Horse Trials (AZ); Woodside Spring H.T. (CA); Willow Draw Charity Show (TX); Flora Lea Spring H.T. (NJ)

News & Reading

Thinking about shopping for your next eventing partner? The latest episode of the USEA Podcast dives into the sometimes overwhelming world of pre-purchase exams (PPEs). Host Nicole Brown chats with equine vet and USEA Board of Governors member Dr. Angie Yates, DVM, about what to consider, common add-ons, and how to navigate the process with confidence. Listen in here.

In this week’s Ask Stable Sage advice column on The Chronicle of the Horse, an eventer grapples with the heartbreak of parting ways with a beloved but ditch-averse mare. After years of trying everything—including consulting five-star riders and an animal communicator—she’s left wondering if it’s selfish to find a new match who shares her passion for cross country. The Stable Sage offers equal parts empathy and tough love in a must-read response about safety, letting go, and honoring the journey, and you can read it here.

A handful of high-profile withdrawals have shaken up the MARS Badminton Horse Trials lineup just days before the event begins. U.S. rider Jennie Brannigan has withdrawn FE Lifestyle due to a minor incident on arrival in England, saying, “Foxy will always come first.” Austrian rider Lea Siegl also announced her withdrawal, citing a small injury to DSP Fighting Line, while New Zealand’s Samantha Lissington has pulled Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ following his final gallop—though she’ll still make her debut with Lord Seekonig. Several wait list combinations have now been accepted, including Britain’s Tom Bird and Fiona Kashel, Brazil’s Rafael Losano, and France’s Arthur Marx. Read the latest here.

This example on Practical Horseman offers a great case study in the biomechanics of effective riding. In this detailed instructional breakdown, readers can follow along as one rider works on deepening her seat, improving balance, and refining her posture through simple but powerful exercises—like using a scarf to adjust pelvic alignment and “playing piano” with her toes to release hip tension. If you’re looking to ride with more harmony, suppleness, and connection, this article is full of practical tools to help you get there.

Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products

Did you know your horse can lose up to 13 gallons of fluid during intense work? Electrolyte balance is essential for hydration, muscle function, and overall health—especially when sweating kicks into high gear. While regular feed and forage provide some minerals, most horses need more, particularly sodium, to trigger the thirst response and encourage drinking.

That’s where Summer Games® Electrolyte from Kentucky Performance Products comes in. Formulated to replenish critical electrolytes in the right ratios, this supplement helps support proper hydration, recovery, and performance—especially during warm weather or heavy training. Don’t just lead your horse to water—help them want to drink it. Learn more from KPP on this topic and others here.

Video Break

An intense final day at Kentucky through the eyes of #supergroom Stephanie Simpson:

 

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Weekend Winners: Skyline, Stable View, Waredaca, Texas Rose, WindRidge, & Winona

By on May 5, 2025 12:00 pm -

Happy Monday, Eventing Nation! After a busy weekend, we’re here to celebrate our Weekend Winners. Congrats to all on successful weekends, with a special shout out to the winner of our Unofficial Low Score Award, Katrina Davis and Paint Misbehavin’, who scored an impressive 18.8 in the Starter division at Waredaca!

The Event at Skyline (UT): [Website][Scoring]

Open Intermediate/Preliminary: Travis Atkinson and Calzini (49.6)
Open Preliminary: Carleigh Fedorka and Judge Johnny (46.2)
Open Preliminary/Training: Lindsay Wagner and GCS Ardeo Jupiter (26.3)
Open Training: Emmalee Tanner and Brazen bugatti (31.9)
Junior Open Novice: Tabitha Wilhelm and Apollo (33.6)
Senior Open Novice: Lindsay Wagner and DS Ardeo Bounce (25.0)
Junior Open Beginner Novice: Emry Erickson and Twisted Oliver (32.1)
Senior Open Beginner Novice: Ghislaine Homan-Taylor and VP Specialty (30.2)
Open Starter: Kayla DeHart and JF Celtic Thunder (32.0)
Starter Rider: Stacey Christopherson and Dark Matter (32.7)
Open Tadpole: Rachel Rowell and Knick-knack (36.3)

Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Championships (SC): [Website][Scoring]

Advanced: Cole Horn and MBF Cooley Permission To Land (42.4)
Open Intermediate: Lucienne Bellissimo and Dyri (28.4)
Open Preliminary: Nilson Moreira Da Silva and FGF Artful Dawn (38.1)
Preliminary Rider: Lily Barlow and MBF Dignified Duchess (32.8)
Modified Rider: Piper Van Tassel and Lady Charisma (34.3)
Open Modified: Lara Roberts and Fernhill Show Biz (25.7)
Open Training A: Shannon Riley and Winsome Willow (25.0)
Open Training B: Hannah Warner and Dawn Breaker (26.0)
Training Rider A: Katherine Holzrichter and DressedForTheFifth (30.7)
Training Rider B: Shannon Grubba and Lisheen Lismakeera (31.9)
Training Rider C: Emerson Padgett and MSH Giant Jac’Ka (22.6)
Novice Rider A: Michelle Chisholm and Jedi (28.3)
Novice Rider B: Lola Mayer and Cupido T (31.1)
Novice Rider C: Sarah Talcott and Phlying Phoenix (26.1)
Novice Rider D: Aubrey Sabatino and Ravishing (26.4)
Open Novice A: Jacqueline Cameron and Ticket to Ride (26.7)
Open Novice B: Callia Englund and Fernhill Celtic Flight (26.9)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Alexis Clark and Pop The Cork (30.9)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Kaitlyn Ingraham and The Champagne Promise (32.5)
Beginner Novice Rider C: Katherine Bright and Lakota (25.9)
Open Beginner Novice: Lindsey Elwell and Centreville Sunset (30.0)
Starter A: Jo Elwood and Fernhill Armani (25.3)
Starter B: Kiera Delahanty and Silver Wend (32.7)
Starter C: Ellissa Claudia Richey and Amarillo (27.3)
Starter D: Bethany McKnight and My Valentine (22.3)

Waredaca H.T. (MD): [Website][Scoring]

Open Preliminary – Saturday: Kate Servais and LIFE STORY (31.6)
Modified A: Katie Mayo and Mr. Mayhem (40.2)
Modified B: Phillip Dutton and Darwinn (31.8)
Open Training A: Kaitlin Clasing and TGS Lions Sunshine (28.3)
Open Training B: Jackson Dillard and Clueso (30.6)
Training Rider: Katie Novotny and Jaguar Rosette WG (31.4)
Novice Horse: Yeardley Pendleton and Beautiful Lies (39.4)
Novice Rider A: Ella Ruth Goodman and MHF Christine (24.7)
Novice Rider B: Kyra Caffrey and Never Gone South (32.5)
Open Novice: Carolyn Wlodarczyk and Syrakus Sohn A (33.2)
Beginner Novice Rider A: Tarini Tippa and King Congo (28.5)
Beginner Novice Rider B: Kristyl Callison and After Eight (25.0)
Open Beginner Novice: Sydney Solomon and Bourbon War (31.2)
Starter: Katrina Davis and Paint Misbehavin’ (18.8)

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (TX): [Website][Scoring]

Open Intermediate: Lauren Hoover and Monbeg Capricorn (46.4)
Intermediate/Preliminary: Kate Bell and FE Velvet Black (27.3)
Open Preliminary: Camryn Chung and Carlos Santana (31.2)
Modified Rider: Elle White and Biscotti (39.0)
Open Modified: Lynne Partridge and Milatour Parisol (26.7)
Junior Training Rider: Jaeli Uselding and Lil Jet Setter (25.0)
Open Training: Georgia Phillips and Cushinstown Point (31.7)
Senior Training Rider: Lauren Wallace and Alera Imperia (32.9)
Junior Novice Rider: Caden Carter and FE Santos (28.1)
Open Novice: Ellen Sebanc and Orion RSF (19.2)
Senior Novice Rider: Jordan Hanson and Balou Print (30.3)
Junior Beginner Novice Rider: Taylor Geaney and Maximillion (22.2)
Open Beginner Novice: Lauren Lambert and Bucephalus (29.7)
Senior Beginner Novice Rider: Anna Pool and My Blend of Whisky (32.1)
Starter A: Emma Sanchez and Anna (30.7)
Starter B: Megan Correia-Bittner and Lamborghini (22.7)
Tadpole: Eva Seargeant and jarrito (36.0)

WindRidge Farm Spring H.T. (NC): [Website][Scoring]

Intermediate: Amy Cobb and Cooley Continental (40.4)
Preliminary: Lisa Borgia and Silmarillion (36.3)
Preliminary/Training: Aubrey Eisenman and Karrabas (41.6)
Training: Eugenia Adams and Fleet Stepper (38.3)
Training CT: Katherine Thornton and Carlingford Castle (30.3)
Novice 1: Jemma Allen and B. E. Isabella (36.7)
Novice 2: Matthew Ulmer and Bonsilon Milou (30.0)
Novice 3: Abby Buenting and Calvin (30.8)
Beginner Novice 1: Daryl Kinney and Polareis Rose (29.7)
Beginner Novice 2: Chelsea DeChristino and Freddie Mercury (28.8)
Beginner Novice CT: Naia Dawson and SF Secret Service (30.4)
Grasshopper: Colleen Mauro and Believe It (75.7)
Introductory: Emily Gardner and Cest La Vie (58.3)
Introductory CT: Devan Durham and King Arthur (56.4)
Starter 1: Katherine Mihalick and My Diamond Swatch (30.3)
Starter 2: Anna Crittendon and Hideaway Sailor (22.0)

Winona H.T. (OH): [Website][Scoring]

Modified Open: Erin Neville and Bluestone (58.5)
Training Open: Maria Temperini and The Flying Dutchman (26.4)
Novice Open A: Madeline Bletzacker and Drummer Boy (25.6)
Novice Open B: Madison McLaughlin and Slowpoke (31.1)
Beginner Novice Open A: Laura Kosiorek-Smith and Guilded Reward (27.9)
Beginner Novice Junior: Lauren Johnson and Tully Sparrow (28.5)
Beginner Novice Open B: Nicole Wozniak and Tranquillitas (25.0)
Starter Open A: Lexi Kenreigh and Midnight Pirate (35.3)
Starter Open B: Adriene Kramer and Chocolate Bunny (30.7)

University of Kentucky Win USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships for Second Time

By on May 5, 2025 9:00 am -

The University of Kentucky Wildcats. USEA/Annan Hepner photo

The University of Kentucky has claimed top honors at the 2025 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship, held this weekend at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina. With 10 teams and 36 entries, they not only secured the title of “School with the Largest Presence” once again, but also rode away with their second national championship title, adding to their 2021 victory. Their winning team, the Kentucky Wildcats (made up of Callia Englund,Sarah Ertl, Macy Hale, and Emerson Padgett) dominated the championship finishing 11 points ahead of second place with a total score of 77.76.

For Callia Englund, this year’s Intercollegiate Championships marked not only a major competitive milestone, but an emotional goodbye. The 22-year-old senior at the University of Kentucky wrapped up her collegiate eventing career with a dream ending, winning her Novice division aboard her 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Fernhill Celtic Flight, jumping clear all weekend and finishing on her dressage score of 26.9 (final score of 25.555 post-division factor).

“This was his first championship, but my fourth and by far the best one,” Englund said. “He just turned six on Monday, and he’s already such a solid competitor. He slayed the dressage, took care of me in show jumping, and really proved he’s ready to move up. I’m just so proud of him.”

Crossing the finish line was more than just the end of a round, it was the final ride as a collegiate rider. “I came across the finish line and saw one of my teammates right there, and I just started crying,” Englund said.

Though her time on the University of Kentucky Eventing Team is wrapping up, Englund, who is also this year’s team president, says the program has left a lasting mark on her. Leading a group of over 80 members and managing 40 horses at this year’s championship, she helped guide the team through months of preparation, all while competing in her own final year.

Callia Englund and Fernhill Celtic Flight. USEA/Annan Hepner photo

“People think more members makes it easier, but it is challenging,” Englund explained. “We knew right after last year’s champs that we wanted to level up, and I think me and the other officers really exceeded our goals. It’s been amazing to help lead a program that so many riders come to University of Kentucky specifically for. I knew since I was a freshman that I wanted to help run this team someday—and seeing how far we’ve come, how much this program has grown, and how many young riders look up to us now, it’s honestly one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”

“It’s been an amazing experience,” she concluded. “I’m so sad to be leaving the program—but this weekend was unbelievable. My horse won his division and UK won the whole thing. I couldn’t have ended it on a better note.”

Emerson Padgett and MSH Giant Jac’Ka. USEA/Annan Hepner photo

The freshmen on the Wildcat’s championship team, Emerson Padgett and MSH Giant Jac’Ka, ended their championship debut as the anchor performers of the team, jumping double clear and finishing on her dressage score of 22.6 (total of 20.34 post division factor). Riding her 9-year-old Selle Francais gelding Jack, the public health and biology major closed out a dream weekend with a win—something she hadn’t expected so early in her collegiate career.

“I’ve heard the team talk about champs all year, so I was really excited to come,” Padgett said. “It completely exceeded my expectations. The team atmosphere, Stable View — everything was amazing. It’s so beautiful here. He likes to strut his stuff, so dressage is always fun with him, but my favorite phase was probably cross-country. I could hear my team cheering me on the whole time, and he felt super confident out there. It was just so fun.”

Macy Hale and Dr. Hart. USEA/Veronica Green-Gott photo

Also in the Training division, Macy Hale and Dr. Hart, an 18-year-old Thoroughbred gelding she leases from Madison Temkin, finished on a total score of 31.86 (post difficulty factor) after receiving a 29.8 for their dressage test, one rail in show jumping and 1.6 in time faults from cross-country.

Originally from Washington State, Hale is a 19-year-old sophomore studying communications with a minor in criminology. Eager to grow as both a rider and a leader, she moved east to attend the University of Kentucky, drawn by its large and active eventing team. Dr. Hart, a seasoned advanced-level eventer with Madison Temkin, now enjoys competing at the lower levels. For Hale, the championship is about more than just competition—it’s about community, camaraderie, and the joy of supporting her team.

“He was the best boy ever and had his game face on,” Hale said. “I am so proud of him and he took care of me, especially since we were the only ones on our team out there in the complete downpour during cross country. For this championship, I loved getting dressed up and cheering on our teammates.”

Rounding out the team in the Preliminary division, Sarah Ertl on Redwood Quality, Cassandra Ertl’s 7-year-old Warmblood gelding, had a double clear performance on cross-country and ended on a final score of 36.64 after the division difficulty factor was calculated.

The 21-year-old sophomore has brought Redwood Quality along since he was three, and she is experiencing firsthand the challenges and triumphs of developing a young horse from the ground up. This year, the pair tackled the Preliminary level, navigating new obstacles together and learning valuable lessons in the process. Ertl, who’s used to horses that drive the ride, is growing into her role as the one building their confidence.

“We definitely had some new questions and obstacles to answer and take on this weekend, but we both learned a ton,” Ertl said. “The biggest thing was the spookiness in dressage and I was worried it was going to impact our cross-country, but on Saturday he came out with a really good attitude and the spookiness was not there anymore.”

Teamwork: What Really Makes the Difference

The members of the University of Kentucky Eventing Team who attended this year’s USEA Intercollegiate Championship. USEA/Annan Hepner photo

For most of the year, eventing is a deeply individual pursuit—early mornings, solo workouts, and countless quiet hours spent at the barn. But at the USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships, that all shifts. Riders from across the country come together not just to compete, but to cheer each other on and across the board, riders say that it’s an experience unlike any other.

“This experience is pretty unique,” Ertl explained. “There’s so many riders, so many horses, the barns are buzzing, there’s so much atmosphere. You ride out and you can see your teammates—your supporters—on the rail, and that gives you a little bit of pressure, which can be stressful, but it’s also super motivating.”

While the pressure to perform is real, Ertl says the fun of competing alongside her University of Kentucky teammates outweighs the nerves. “We are here to have fun, ultimately—and we do have fun—but we’re also pretty competitive. It’s not a nasty competition. It’s very supportive, it’s very rambunctious. We push each other, and it makes it super fun.”

That sense of camaraderie is a rare thing in such a tough, individual sport—and it’s not lost on Sarah. “It’s easy to go through the year just focusing on yourself and your horse,” she explained. “But being here reminds you of all the support that is out there. I think, ‘Now I want to go cheer other people on more at other shows!’ This sport is hard—you cannot do it alone.”

For team president Englund, this year’s championship was about more than just results but the exhilarating team spirit that was present around Stable View.

University of Georgia celebrates when the Arch Rivals were named reserve champions. USEA/Veronica Green-Gott photo

“This event shows people that this sport doesn’t have to be so serious all the time,” Englund said. “Yes, you should still be competitive, but you can also have fun and support other people. USEA does a great job creating this environment. Since I was a freshman, I’ve seen how much this program has grown, not just in numbers, but in energy. Between IEL and Intercollegiate, it’s really exciting to see so many young riders coming into the sport and already thinking about the future. We’ve even had girls come up to us this weekend saying they’ve been UK fans for years. One girl’s dad reached out last year and we went to cheer her on at show jumping. She was so happy. Stuff like that is what makes this event so special. In my opinion, it’s the people and the organizations you join that make your college experience what it is.”

More than just a competition, the event offered a glimpse into the future of the sport, something that Ertl who hopes to ride professionally, finds especially meaningful.

“It’s inspiring to see so many young riders and kids doing this championship, especially with the IEL and high school divisions,” she said. “In the industry, sometimes I look around and I see mostly older professionals and think, ‘Where is the future coming from?’ But this—this is it. These are the future pros, the future leaders. It’s so important for kids, college students, and high school students to have this experience if we want the sport to grow.”

And as for her team?

“I’ve never cheered so hard in my life,” Ertl said with a laugh. “It’s so fun. I’m honestly surprised we all still have voices.”

Earning the reserve championship was the three-rider team from the University of Georgia, the UGA Arch Rivals comprised of Devon Tresan, Katlyn Parker, and Ansley Carroll. With only three riders, this team didn’t have a drop score to bank on, but all Tresan, Parker, and Carroll put in top performances all throughout the weekend, with only one rider adding a rail in show jumping to their dressage score, for the team to finish on a cumulative score of 89.54.

Third place honors went to the Auburn University War Eagle team which consisted of Lara Roberts, Elle Snyder, Sarah Beth Slaughter, and Katerina Midgley. They finished on a team score of 90.88.

Bulldogs Bring the Spirit: University of Georgia Wins 2025 USEA Intercollegiate Spirit Award

University of Georgia took to the podium to receive this year’s Intercollegiate Spirit Award. USEA/Annan Hepner photo

The USEA Intercollegiate Spirit Award is presented to the college team that best embodies enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and team pride throughout the championship weekend, often through coordinated outfits, creative decorations, and high-energy support for fellow competitors. Teams are evaluated based on various activities, including barn and cross-country jump decorations, participation in the Hobby Horse Combined Test, presentations at the College Fair, and overall team spirit and supportiveness. The University of Georgia took home the popular award, with Texas A&M placing second and the University of Kentucky rounding out the top three.

For University of Georgia senior and team president Katlyn Parker, the recognition was the culmination of four years of dedication, leadership, and unshakable Bulldog pride.

“We are actually so stoked. This is the big coveted award for the colleges, for sure. Some may even argue it’s more important than the actual championship,” Parker laughed. “We’ve been working so, so hard all year, especially this past month, balancing horses, finals, and pulling off our Spirit Award plans. I have to give a massive shout out to our social chair, Nina Braun because she organized the majority of it and had the best ideas.”

“Everyone really showed out this year,” Parker continued. “Our people were cheering at every single one of our team members’ rides, even when it was crazy in the middle of the day, even when they had just gotten off a horse themselves. And it wasn’t just for our own team. I saw our girls cheering on everyone from other teams. I didn’t have to tell them to do that, they just did it. That’s the kind of character this team has, and the sportsmanship has left me in awe. This is definitely the most special team I’ve ever been on. Honestly, this has been more fun than graduating. I’m just so happy and so proud.”

Read more Intercollegiate coverage here.

Read IEL coverage here.

Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Championships (SC): [Website] [Scores]

Monday News & Notes from Futuretrack

By on May 5, 2025 12:01 am -

News from our CCI5* friends down under! Hazel Shannon laid down a historic win with her longtime partner, Willingapark Clifford, this weekend at the Adelaide Equestrian Festival. With this accomplishment, Hazel becomes the first rider to win the Adelaide 5* four times — and she did it all with this incredible partner of hers, who at 19 years young is still showing us all just how athletic the Thoroughbred athlete is. We’ll have much more from Adelaide coming your way this week from our roving reporter, Atalya Boytner!

Adelaide Equestrian Festival CCI5*: [Website] [Live Stream Replays] [Scores]

U.S. Weekend Results

The Event at Skyline (UT): [Website] [Scores]

Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Championships (SC): [Website] [Scores]

Waredaca H.T. (MD): [Website] [Scores]

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (TX): [Website] [Scores]

WindRidge Farm Spring H.T. (NC): [Website] [Scores]

Winona H.T. (OH): [Website] [Scores]

News & Reading

Read more from an action-packed weekend at Stable View, where the University of Kentucky took home the Intercollegiate team honors. Read all about the spirit-filled weekend here.

Five-star competition isn’t the only thing to get into at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials this week! Another hotly contested event within Badminton is the LeMieux Grassroots Championship, and one not-to-miss storyline is a husband and wife duo who will be competing against each other. Pick a side in the drama here.

Speaking of Badminton, we’ll have our Ultimate Guide out for you later this week for a handy reference, but you can go ahead and grab your front row seat via the Badminton TV on Clip My Horse service. You can purchase access to this year’s feed here. Note: Your Clip My Horse subscription should give you access to Badminton TV, if we are interpreting their policy correctly.

In case you missed the little race just to the west of Kentucky Horse Park this weekend, a colt named Sovereignty won the Kentucky Derby. Read the recap of the race here.

Catch up with Olympic gold medalist Julia Krajewski, who had her Aachen and Boekelo winner, Uelzener’s Nickel out for 4* competition this weekend. Read the full recap here.

Video Break

Ride around with EN’s Allie Heninger at Skyline this weekend!

Sunday Links

By on May 4, 2025 12:01 am -

Headed to Maryland International this summer? North American-based FEI riders can now apply for a scholarship to help offset costs for the Maryland International CCI & HT, taking place June 27–29 at Loch Moy Farm. Applications are due May 15, and eligibility includes being a USEF/USEA member in good standing with qualifying MERs at the level you’re applying for. Bonus: Previous applicants are encouraged to re-apply! Full details and requirements can be found here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Event at Skyline (UT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Championships (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Waredaca H.T. (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/a>] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

WindRidge Farm Spring H.T. (NC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Winona H.T. (OH): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Adelaide Equestrian Festival CCI5*: [Website] [Entries/Schedule] [Live Stream] [Scores]

Links & Reading

From Five-Star To Favorite Lesson Mount, Sir Rockstar Lived Out His Name

4 Ways to Improve Soil Health in Horse Pastures

Chasing Dreams: My journey to the LeMieux Badminton Grassroots Championships, part 4

Video Break

Hear from Boyd Martin as he updates his owners on Fedarman B’s success at Kentucky’s CCI5* last weekend:

The Newest Members of the Pink Pony Club: Ali Kuhn and Little Hail

By on May 3, 2025 1:09 pm -

Ali Kuhn and Little Hail. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

At the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, where seasoned professionals, Olympic veterans, and polished 5* horses command much of the attention, one compact, scrappy Thoroughbred stole the show—dressed in bright watermelon pink.

Little Hail, a 15.2-hand (maybe, on an especially tall day) gelding with a grumpy face and a heart the size of the Horse Park itself, didn’t just finish his first CCI4*-S last weekend. He carried his rider, Wisconsin-based Ali Kuhn, around her first-ever 4*, completing one of the toughest events on the U.S. calendar with grit, joy, and not a single ounce of pretense.

“I never expected to be here,” Ali admits. “Let alone to finish here.”

Little Hail is 16 this year, and his journey to Kentucky was anything but linear. Originally campaigned by John Crowell, ‘Hail’ competed successfully before being turned out in a field when John stepped back from competing. By the time Ali got the call, Hail had been out of work for over two years.

“Dorothy [Crowell] and John had offered him to a few people, and no one wanted him,” Ali recalls. “Too small, not fancy enough, just kind of overlooked. But I had just put down my horse—my Intermediate hopeful—and I was ready to give up. I’d lost three horses to freak things. I was going to be done.”

Then the phone rang. “John said, ‘Hey,’ and I said, ‘Are you finally going to give me Hail?’ And he paused and said, ‘Actually, that’s why I’m calling.’ I was terrified. I didn’t want to take him—what if something happened again? But my husband said, ‘I think you should.’”

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

And so she did. Hail was delivered to a truck stop in Sun Prairie, WI—”like a sketchy horse drug deal”—and the next chapter of their story began.

“He was fat, out of shape, and the first time I jumped him, I genuinely thought he was trying to kill me,” she laughs. “But then we got to work. We started slow. First event? I got run away with. But after a couple levels, it became obvious—this horse loves the job. No jump is too big. No course is too long.”

Under the steady guidance of John and Dorothy Crowell, along with Cathy Jones Forsberg, Ali and Hail slowly climbed the ranks. From Training to Modified, then to Intermediate—where they kept winning.

“I remember telling Dorothy I wanted to try Intermediate,” Ali says. For her, even “just” going Intermediate was the dream. “She said, ‘Let’s do it—he’ll love it.’ And he did. The height just made him happier. It was like, finally, someone was respecting his opinion about fence size.”

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

For most riders, especially those in the Midwest, just reaching the Advanced level is a career goal in itself. But Ali’s little horse kept saying yes.

“I never dreamed that big,” she admits. “But then I joked to Cathy at Rocking Horse that maybe I’d try the [Kentucky four-star] next year. And she looked right at me and said, ‘Why wait for next year?’ I thought she was out of her mind. But then we went and did our first Advanced, and he was perfect.”

With that encouragement, the plan shifted—Ali would try to qualify for Kentucky.

“But the final three-star I needed was a disaster,” she says. “I got held on course at a frangible they were fixing, launched into a combination, and had a dumb run-out. It was terrible. Zero out of five stars. I went home thinking, ‘What am I doing?’”

Still, they pressed on. They made it to TerraNova for a final prep, and even through nerves and another bobble, Hail jumped out of his skin. Kentucky, incredibly, was on.

Photo by Tal Boatright for Shannon Brinkman Photography.

But not everyone thought it should be.

“I had people—good riders—say, ‘Hey, I want you to know that I did every other four-star before I took that one on.’ And I totally understand. I don’t recommend this path for most people. But I lived in Kentucky. Hail had been to the Horse Park a thousand times. We’d just won a three-star there that fall. For us, it felt like home.”

That context matters. Kentucky was her first 4*, but it wasn’t a leap of faith—it was the next step in a well-prepared, deeply supported journey. Still, Ali admits there was a chip on her shoulder.

“Absolutely,” she says when I asked her about this. “There were people who didn’t think we could or should. And I wanted to show them—and myself—that we could. I didn’t get handed a made horse. I had $700 in my bank account and a dream. I said, ‘I am not leaving Kentucky with a letter. I am leaving with a number.’”

And she did.

“I didn’t even turn on my watch,” Ali said of her memorable cross country round, which even elicited messages from riders she hadn’t met, like Will Faudree and Hawley Bennett-Awad. “I just rode the plan. I walked the course with my sister and said, ‘I think we can do this.’ And I meant it. I’ve never ridden better in my life. He was so happy out there. Every jump, he was like, ‘YES!’ I just remember going into the box, I looked at her and I was almost in tears, and I said, ‘You know we can do this, right?’ And she said, “Absolutely.'”

Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.

And the bright pink gear? A joke-turned-tradition.

“It started with the teenage girls in my barn. They thought Hail would look cute in watermelon pink LeMieux,” Ali said. “I was like, ‘No way, I’m trying to be professional.’ So they bought it all for my 30th birthday—bonnet, saddle pad, helmet cover, the works. I wore it once and everyone made fun of me—until the pictures started coming in. He looked amazing. So we leaned into it.”

Even more poetically, those colors—black, pink, and white—turned out to be Little Hail’s racing colors. “He was the last foal born at Harbor View Farm, and they actually reached out after Kentucky. They were thrilled. The people who foaled him were there to watch. They said he was a menace as a baby. So they couldn’t believe he was out there doing this.”

So what’s next?

“People ask if I’m thinking about a five-star. And honestly? I don’t know. I’ve already gone so far beyond what I ever thought I could do. If it works out someday, sure—but this? This was already my dream.”

Photo by Tal Boatright for Shannon Brinkman Photography.

And her message to others?

“I just want people to know that they don’t have to be rich. They can run around Kentucky in hot pink and smile and have a good time, and have a freaking dollar to their name—and they can still do it.”

Want more Kentucky coverage? Click here to catch up.

EN’s coverage of Defender Kentucky is supported by Kentucky Performance Products. To learn more about Kentucky Performance Products’ science-backed nutritional support products, click here.

Saturday Links from World Equestrian Brands

By on May 3, 2025 12:14 am -

USEA Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Championships are underway at Stable View! The opening ceremony always features a spirit parade and the schools really go all out to ring in this annual festivity. You can keep up with coverage over on the USEA’s website here and live scores here.

U.S. Weekend Preview

The Event at Skyline (UT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]

Stable View Local Charities H.T. + USEA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Championships (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Waredaca H.T. (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (TX): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/a>] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

WindRidge Farm Spring H.T. (NC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]

Winona H.T. (OH): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]

Major International Events

Adelaide Equestrian Festival CCI5*: [Website] [Entries/Schedule] [Live Stream] [Scores]

Links & Reading

Updated equestrian helmet ratings system adds racing and high-speed events

A Conversation With Kareem Rosser, Author Of ‘When You’re Ready: A Love Story’

USEA Executive Committee Approves Qualification Criteria Update for 2025 AEC at Galway Downs

Olympic rider vindicated as four-year ban overturned –‘but I’ll never get that time back’

Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands

Take a peek behind the curtain with World Equestrian Brands-supported rider Ariel Grald! Click here to dive in to some recent features on Ariel.

Video Break

Scenes from cross country day at Adelaide. You can catch up on scores from the day here.