Doug Payne and Vandiver in Tokyo. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Nearly three decades after competing in his first three-day event, Tokyo Olympian Doug Payne has pulled the curtain down on his eventing career, transitioning his operation to show jumping full-time beginning this year.
It’s a decision Doug and his wife and fellow 5* rider, Jessica, have made over time, slowly scaling back their eventing string and focusing instead on developing show jumpers within their pipeline over the past few seasons. For the Paynes, who now have two young children, the evolution of their business has necessitated a firm eye on the big picture.
“I’ve never been someone to chase quick results or make impulsive decisions,” Doug said. “Everything we’ve done—whether it’s selling a horse or focusing on jumping-bred horses—has been for the greater good of our family and our business. This transition is just the next logical step.”
It began, in many ways, in 2014, when Doug sold one of his top eventers, Crown Talisman, to Great Britain. The decision was a difficult one; “Tali” was one of the top horses in the U.S. at the time, and many eyes were on him to be a potential team horse for the Americans in future championships. But with the funds earned from the sale, the Paynes were able to purchase property on which to build their dream farm. That farm, located just north of Durham, NC, has become a busy training hub, out of which Doug and Jess train their personal horses and maintain a robust clientele.
“It wasn’t easy, but it was the right decision for the long-term stability of our business and our family,” Doug said of the choice to sell Crown Talisman. “Every major decision we’ve made since then has followed that same philosophy—investing in something sustainable rather than going after short-term gains.”
Doug Payne and Crown Talisman. Photo by Sally Spickard.
In the ten years since the sale of Crown Talisman, Doug has accomplished much in the eventing space. In 2021, he was named to the U.S. team for the Olympics in Tokyo, where he would become the highest-placed U.S. rider (16th) with Debi and Kevin Crowley’s Vandiver. He completed 11 CCI5* events and earned a USEF National CCI5*-L Championship honor with his, Jess’ and Didi Callahan’s Quantum Leap’s third place finish at Kentucky in 2022.
But if there is one constant guarantee in life, it’s change. For Doug and Jess, the idea to transition to show jumping germinated about five years ago. They had always focused on buying young horses to develop (Quantum Leap is one recent example, having come into Doug’s program as a yearling and spending his entire eventing career with Doug), and they eventually decided to focus on purchasing jumping-bred horses to make a real run at the sport.
“Our decision five years ago to shift to jumping-bred horses has really started to pay off,” Doug said. “We’ve been consistently jumping at FEI levels for five years now, and honestly, it’s been a great challenge. The level of talent, especially at places like Wellington, is incredible. You’re surrounded by the best riders in the world, and there’s so much to learn. It’s motivating because I’m constantly trying to get better. The experience I gained in eventing—handling pressure, making split-second decisions—is a huge advantage. Now it’s about figuring out how to apply that to this new chapter.”
Doug Payne and Quantum Leap. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The fact that the Paynes wanted more schedule flexibility to make more time for raising their two children, Abigail and Hudson, made them eager to explore a new avenue. When Doug was eventing full-time, the family would spend nearly 90% of their year on the road, traveling to events. With a heavier focus on show jumping circuits, that number is slashed nearly in half.
“Eventing requires a massive commitment to being away from home, and that’s something I’ve done for 20-some years,” Doug explained. “But at this point, I didn’t want to miss out on these years with my kids. Being able to step back from constant travel has been one of the biggest benefits of this transition. It’s given us a chance to breathe and focus on what’s really important.”
Initially, Doug planned to compete the event horses he had remaining until their careers were finished, but that timeline was adjusted after it was determined that Quantum Leap would retire from upper-level competition. “His ultimate welfare is paramount and Quantum owes me absolutely nothing, having completed seven five-stars, a USEF national championship and five top ten finishes,” he said. “And I would never want to have something to happen to him.”
Doug plans to find a lease for Quantum to take the role of professor, and perhaps he’ll eventually serve as his daughter, Abigail’s, horse if she wants to ride. “He has a home forever with us, that much is for sure,” he said.
With Quantum Leap out of the 5* world, it became clear that the other two primary eventers in Doug’s string could move sooner than later. Camarillo is another horse Doug had produced up to the 5* level, as well as the 1.30m jumpers. The former stallion, Quiberon, competed through the 4* level in eventing but has also shown versatility with ribbons in International Hunter Derbies and jumping classes through 1.30m. Starr Witness, the jaw-dropping chestnut mare who competed to the 4* level with Doug won her first Grand Prix dressage show in 2024, is currently expecting her third foal, by the stallion Europa PVF, who is owned by Doug and Jess along with Ellen Ziemer.
So while it’s not an easy decision to put one career down and pick up another and to move some of his special horses on to new pathways, Doug is eager for the challenge and very much at peace with the choice.
Doug Payne and Vandiver. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
“You get struck with this mix of emotions—thankfulness for all the opportunities you’ve had and for the immense support from so many people who got you there—but also a sense of peace,” he said after a moment. “I’ve always loved the challenge of eventing, but after doing it professionally for over 20 years, I feel ready to move on. It’s a chance to take everything I’ve learned and apply it to something new, and that’s exciting to me.
“I don’t regret a second of eventing—it’s taken me around the world and given me experiences I could’ve never imagined. The sport has shaped who I am as a rider and as a person,” he continued. “But I don’t feel a sense of loss. I feel motivated by the new challenges ahead, and I know I’m still using so much of what eventing taught me every day. It’s not like I’m leaving all that behind—it’s more like I’m building on it in a new direction.”
Doug says his immediate goals are to continue to produce his horses, including his current top jumpers Quintessence and Chaccolate RFB, in the Grand Prix ring, and to work to rank well so that he can have a shot at representing the U.S. in team competition.
“I’d love to represent the U.S. on a team—it’s definitely on my radar. But I’m realistic about the challenge. Jumping has so much depth, and you really have to earn your spot. Still, it’s something I’m determined to give a shot. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, that’s okay too. I just want to keep improving and making the most of the opportunities we have.”
“I think I’m in a place where I can look back and be proud of what we achieved, but also be really excited about what’s ahead,” Doug concluded. “It feels like the right move for me, my family, and our program.”
