Classic Eventing Nation

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.

Preview Mike Etherington-Smith’s Adelaide CCI5* Cross Country

By on May 2, 2025 1:00 pm -

Mike Etherington-Smith has unveiled his designs for the second CCI5* of the year, where 21 horses and riders will tackle cross country on Saturday in Adelaide (Friday evening/Saturday early morning for other parts of the world). The weather has been stellar leading into this year’s running, which should make for excellent conditions for the horses tomorrow.

Mike’s taken us for a guided look around the track thanks to the effort of CrossCountryApp, and you can view the fence-by-fence preview in the embed above or here.

Fence 11 features a bounce into water. Photo courtesy of CrossCountryApp.

This is one of the most unique eventing properties in the world, featuring a road crossing that takes riders right into the heart of the city of Adelaide (and making for some excellent photos!). It’s an 11-minute optimum time with a total of 31 numbered questions and 47 total jumping efforts. Adelaide features a rather festive atmosphere, with spectators flocking to the parklands where cross country is held to enjoy a day out in the sun, making this one of the true spectator-friendly venues in the world.

Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture lead the CCI5* at Adelaide following dressage. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.

Looking to the dressage results, we have FEI World Championships partnership Shenae Lowings and Bold Venture out in front, leading the way on a score of 27.4. Shenae is followed by another seasoned 5* pair in Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford, who sit second on a score of 30.3. Andrew Cooper is in third on a score of 33.4 with Hey Arnold. You can view the full results from dressage across divisions here.

Cross country will begin on Saturday at 12 p.m. in Adelaide, which is 10:30 p.m. on Friday ET / 7:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 a.m. Saturday BST / 4:30 a.m. Saturday CEST. You will be able to follow along live on Horse & Country here. Stay tuned for more content coming your way from Atalya Boytner, our boots on the ground this week!

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

James Alliston and Karma Awarded USET Foundation’s 2025 Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grant

By on May 2, 2025 12:05 pm -

James Alliston and Karma. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation announced that the 2025 Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grant was awarded to eventer James Alliston of San Ramon, California. The national grants are provided by the USET Foundation through the generosity of USET Foundation Honorary Trustee Jacqueline B. Mars, with the aim of supporting preparation and attendance at a competition located more than 1,500 miles from the athlete’s home base.

The grant is designed to assist athlete-and-horse combinations’ progression to the Pre-Elite or Elite Program. The goal of the grant is to provide training and competition resources for athletes who have never competed on an Olympic or FEI World Championship eventing senior team.

The grant was awarded to Alliston with Karma, an 11-year-old North American-bred Oldenburg mare (by Escudo II x Lavita) owned by Alliston Equestrian and Ric Plummer, for the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ CCI5*-L, in which they placed ninth.

It was a very challenging course, and the galloping was challenging too,” said Alliston of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. “It was a true five-star test. I was really, really happy with Karma, and finishing in the top 10 was great.”

They also received the Mars National Competition and Training Grant in 2023 when they traveled to The Netherlands as part of the U.S. Eventing team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Netherlands CCIO4*-NC-L, where the team placed fourth. In 2024, the pair finished 12th at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ CCI5*-L and ninth in the CCIO4*-S in Aachen, Germany, where they helped the U.S. team win the silver medal in the SAP Cup.

Alliston began riding Karma as a five-year-old when her previous owner, Andrea Pfeiffer, asked for his help in getting her started. Although she was difficult, it was clear that she had plenty of jumping talent. Instead of selling the horse, Pfeiffer kept Karma with Alliston until he bought her in partnership with Ric Plummer.

“It was clear she had something different,” remembered Alliston. “The first time I did a cross-country school, she was incredible. I want to give the horse a chance and hopefully fulfill its potential.”

A short-term goal for Alliston is competing at CHIO Aachen in Germany this summer in preparation for his longer-term goal of representing the U.S. on the team at the FEI World Championships for Eventing in Aachen, Germany, in 2026.

“I need to show good form and that we’re improving and can be a competitive score for the team, but that would be a dream,” he said.

Alliston has lived in California for 15 years, so traveling to Kentucky, the East Coast, and Europe for events requires considerable planning and financial backing. He is grateful for the assistance provided by the Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grants.

“It falls on me to fund trips across the country,” he acknowledged. “It’s expensive for me to leave my teaching business at home, fuel up the truck, and handle all of the expenses that come with traveling. To get the grant is massive; it makes it possible.

“I have to say a big thank you to Mrs. Mars and the USET Foundation, and I’m extremely grateful and really appreciate being chosen for this grant,” he continued. “It’s an honor, and I love riding for the USA.”

Find out more about the criteria for the Jacqueline B. Mars National Competition and Training Grants here.

Boyd Martin is First U.S. World #1 in 20 Years

By on May 2, 2025 11:00 am -

Photo by Tilly Berendt.

For the first time in his career, the USA’s Boyd Martin has claimed the top spot in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings after climbing from the 10th position in just one month with a tally of 543 points. This achievement has seen him unseat Britain’s Tom McEwen, who held the coveted position since August 2024.

Boyd’s ascent to the summit of the rankings comes as no surprise after a series of solid performances in home soil over recent weeks in Aiken, Maryland and specially at the CCI5*-L in Lexington (USA), where he finished in second, sixth, and seventh positions achieving three clear rounds in both cross country and show jumping. He is only the third athlete since 2008 to have three horses in the top ten in a CCI5*-L after Phillip Dutton (USA) in 2017 and Andrew Nicholson (NZL) in 2013.

Boyd Martin is the first USA athlete to reach the top of the Eventing world rankings in 21 years. Kim Severson was the last American at the top in 2004, while David O’Connor did it back in 2000.

“It is a huge honor and privilege to be named the number one rider in the world in eventing. It’s a goal I’ve been chasing for decades now. Many of my idols, who are champions in the sport and riders I’ve always tried to emulate, have accomplished this honor at some point in their careers,” Boyd said.

It’s really a humbling moment, and even though it’s my name on the list, I would not have been able to do it without the incredible horses and owners, as well as my dedicated team working day in and out in the stable. Lastly, to share this with my wife and kids, who have been with me on this journey every single day from the very beginning, is really special.”

Boyd Martin taking over the top spot signals the end of a British stronghold at the top of the rankings. Ever since Tim Price (NZL) slipped from No. 1 back in September 2023, it’s been all British athletes leading the pack—Rosalind Canter, Oliver Townend, and Tom McEwen respectively.

Tom McEwen now occupies second place with 540 points, while fellow Brit Harry Meade has moved up one position to third, securing 537 points. Close behind is New Zealand’s Tim Price with 536 points, highlighting just how tightly contested the race for the top position is set to be in the coming months, with a minimal 7-point difference between Martin and Price

Team Olympic silver medallist Rosalind Canter (GBR) has slipped to fifth place with 487 points, while reigning Individual Olympic champion Michael Jung (GER) has surged six spots to sixth with 421 points after winning the CCI5*-L in Lexington.

Britain’s Laura Collett and Tom Jackson have each dropped one position, now sitting seventh (380 points) and eighth (378 points), respectively, while Switzerland’s Felix Vogg and Belgium’s Lara De Liedekerke-Meier round out the top 10 at 374 and 360 points respectively.

You can check the full FEI Eventing World Rankings here

This is more than a number, it’s a lifetime in the making.

Posted by Boyd Martin on Friday, May 2, 2025

‘I Should Have Slowed Down’: An Excerpt from Tik Maynard’s ‘Starting in the Middle’

By on May 2, 2025 9:30 am -

Photo courtesy of Trafalgar Square Books.

In this excerpt from his new book Starting in the Middle, eventer and two-time Road to the Horse winner Tik Maynard examines why things go wrong when we get in the saddle.

Only a few days after I was invited to compete at Road to the Horse, I tore my groin for the third time.

It was Jenny that bucked. But it wasn’t her fault. I don’t believe it’s helpful to lay blame on a horse. Credit, maybe, but not blame.

I should have seen it coming. I should have slowed down.

Jenny was actually doing more than bucking; it was a real bronc ride. She thrust her muzzle low and dropped her withers. As she did that, I swung my lower legs forward and pushed my feet hard into the stirrups. I slid my seat back. I gripped the reins and tried to get her head up. Later my fingers would be raw and pink; it would hurt to wash or even to close my hands for a week.

Some people call rope burns “learn burns.” Not wearing gloves when I ride or do groundwork makes it more personal. It keeps me present. I remember my mistakes. And I don’t want to forget the mistakes I make with horses. I owe it to them. And if a burn on my hand will burn that mistake into my memory, and my soul, keep ‘em coming.

I should have slowed down. I should have been more present.

Jenny was on her fourth bronc when I started thinking, This might not get better…she might not come out of this. Simultaneously, I was thinking about my groin, trying to gauge how much it was tearing.

On the eleventh or twelfth buck, I came off over her right shoulder. As I hit the ground, I was aware of where I was in relation to her—out of the corner of my eye, I saw her turn left, away from me. My main concern was which way she would kick in the few seconds after I landed.

She kicked in the other direction, then continued to buck. The bucks gradually turned into porpoise-ing, and then into a gallop as she ran down the driveway. I crawled to the nearby fence and leaned back against it. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t reach for my phone. I just watched Jenny as she turned between two paddocks and slowed down slightly.

Then Sinead rounded the corner of the barn, having spied the loose horse. She ran on the balls of her feet, her head high, her eyes scanning. She was quick and graceful and worried. When she saw me against the fence, her shoulders relaxed slightly.

He’s conscious, I saw her thinking. He’s okay.

A couple hours later we were both riding in the arena when she caught my attention. I brought my horse back to a walk.

“How are you feeling?”

“Tired,” I said. “Hurt.” I paused, studying the space between my horse’s ears. “Old. Like this was something I used to be good at. That it’s hard to let go of something I used to be known for.”

I didn’t mention Road to the Horse. But riding a buck, and getting up from a buck, were skills that might be needed. Would almost certainly be needed.

It would be easy to look at me and think, This guy isn’t good enough. Why did they invite him?

“You’re not hurt,” Sinead said, riding her horse up alongside me. “I’ve seen you hurt.”

I nodded. I felt pretty darn sore, but I knew what she meant.

“Maybe your pride is hurt,” she said.

“It is,” I agreed.

But my main concern was being ready to compete. My groin had been nagging me since January. Then I had hurt it a second time. This was the third time. The falling didn’t hurt nearly as much as the gripping to stay on when the bucking started.

The injury was also not allowing me to run, which affected my fitness, and my mood.

“I want so bad for this injury to get better.”

“I’ve started meditating,” Sinead said. “You should try it.”

“Yeah…” I nodded.

That first mistake, and the second, and the third, all happened because I didn’t listen to that little niggle in my stomach, in my gut.

I believe that very few accidents are truly accidental. Looking back, I feel that every injury I have ever had could have been prevented. Just because I failed to predict what was about to happen does not mean it was unpredictable.

I was distracted. I was rushing. I was tired.

I remembered a group session with mental performance consultant Dr. Jenny Susser, where she’d asked each of us what we wanted help with.

“I’m afraid of cross-country,” said a novice rider.

“I get so anxious before dressage,” noted a teenager.

“I get nervous at shows,” whispered an introvert.

Dr. Susser listened, and asked questions, and helped each rider in the group feel hopeful. 

Then it was my turn: “Well, often, being at shows is where I feel the most present. For me, the problem is at home. I feel pulled in so many directions. The fences that need to be nailed back up. The mower that needs to go into the shop. The text message that says someone needs to reschedule. Am I going to be done in time to get the kids from school?”

Dr. Susser studied me for a moment. “You’re just being intellectually lazy,” she said. “Next question.”

Well, that set me on my back foot. But she was absolutely right. No one was going be present for me. There was no point in doing two things at once. I had to plan my day better, and I had to focus.

Sinead’s horse and mine ambled beside each other. They were both bays. We headed down the driveway to give both horses a chance to cool down.

“I’m riding too defensively,” I said. “It feels like if they buck or rear I won’t be able to hold on. Every time I grip with my thighs, a wave of pain ripples through me, right up into my ears. And if I don’t tighten my legs, I flop around, like a fish on a dock, making him more likely to rear and me more likely to fall off. And just knowing that makes me ride tentatively: my heart rate is up, I’m quick to pull on the reins, and I’m not giving him a forward, confident ride.”

Sinead laughed. “Welcome to the club. Now you know how the other half feels.”

This excerpt from Starting in the Middle by Tik Maynard is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (trafalgarbooks.com).