Many happy returns to Boyd Martin, who kept the party rolling from a big year in 2025 by taking home the honor of US Equestrian International Equestrian of the Year. The awards were handed out at a reception during the USEF Annual Meeting in Lousville, KY on January 15.
Here’s a look at some of what netted Boyd the honor:
A stalwart for the Defender U.S. Eventing Team, Boyd Martin concluded another strong and consistent campaign in 2025, earning top five finishes in 24 FEI events with a string of 13 different horses. Martin finished all three of his entries inside the top ten at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, including a second-place finish aboard Commando 3, to earn the USEF CCI5*-L National Championship. The pair returned with the same form later in the year to notch a third-place finish in the MARS Maryland Five Star CCI5*-L. Martin then took his talents overseas to finish third in the Pau CCI5*-L, this time aboard Cooley Nutcracker, demonstrating incredible consistency and poise at the top international events in the world. Martin also topped the inaugural US Equestrian Eventing Open Final aboard Miks Master C, at Morven Park, marking his seventh international win of the season.
In team competition representing the Defender U.S. Eventing Team, Martin and Commando 3 finished fifth overall and helped the team notch their third consecutive podium finish in the CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S. Martin currently sits in second in the FEI Eventing World Rankings, having accumulated 537 points in 2025. He sat atop the world rankings in the month of May, marking the first time in nearly two decades a U.S. eventing athlete was ranked number one in the world.
“There were many, many lows and some unbelievable highs,” Boyd said of his equestrian career thus far, “In 2010, I was faced with one of the hardest decisions of my life and it was to change my nationality to represent America. I soon realized when I got to America that this is my home. I also wanted to support the country that was supporting my career. I also felt it was wrong for the owners that had poured so much sup into me, being a rider with a different flag. It was the greatest decision I ever made.”
You can watch Boyd’s full acceptance speech in the video embedded below or on Facebook directly here.
U.S. Events This Weekend
Stable View Aiken Opener HT (SC): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Live Scores] [Volunteer]
Other Links & Reading
- Olympic medallist joins judging line-up for Burghley Young Event Horse finals
- Reading Between the Bloodlines
- Upcoming USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Workshops and Assessments
Sponsor Corner: World Equestrian Brands
World Equestrian Brands is gearing up for Season 2 of their popular 1% Better series, tapping into some of the best minds in the sport to dive deep into what little details and considerations add up to major results. We’re also teaming up with World Equestrian Brands this season to bring you some exclusive content straight to your inboxes, so stay tuned for more!
Training Tip of the Day
Training tip, barn hack, same-same in so many ways! Here’s a good blanket folding tip from Valerie Pride:
Go Eventing Video Break
A big time throwback to Pippa Funnell’s Eventing Grand Prix ride at Hickstead — the first ever class like this at Hickstead, in fact — aboard Tourmeline Rose:
