One Big Thing: 19-year-old TB wins award for bringing five young riders through all levels of the sport
Marquet Rise, a 19-year-old chestnut Thoroughbred mare owned by Bobbie Mudge of Vermont, becomes the inaugural recipient of Area I’s Orange Pippin Jumpstart Award. Known as “Mazzie”, this special mare’s five young riders have gained education and a love for the sport from partnering with her at levels from Beginner Novice through Intermediate/CCI3*.
Testimonials from Mazzie’s riders:
Campbell Jourdian, now a professional rider and groom, rode Mazzie through Preliminary as a teenager and states that “Mazzie is game and full of heart… she teaches bravery and every ride puts a smile on your face.”
Sophie Tullar, now an FEI groom, rode Mazzie to their first CCI2*S and says that “not only did she teach me so much in my riding but she also made me fall in love with the sport.”
Cassie Wallskog Council, now a professional rider, trainer, and coach, competed with Mazzie to the CCI3*S level and is “grateful to have had the opportunity to ride such a talented and influential horse early in my career.”
Area 1 Young Rider Chenoweth Donohue describes Mazzie as “a kind, steady, and dependable horse who only made me improve. The mare is a patient teacher of a horse and a quiet, confident guide.”
Mazzie’s current charge, the owner’s 12-year-old grandson Thayer Mudge, says that “Mazzie is the most courageous horse that I have ever met… Some horses teach us how to ride or jump, Mazzie does that but she also teaches me how to enjoy the ride.”
Who does this award honor?
The award is to be given annually to a special horse who, over the course of their career, has sparked a love for eventing to multiple riders new to the sport. The award is given in memory of Orange Pippin, an incredibly special chestnut Thoroughbred mare who was an early mount for five different Area 1 young riders during her 11-year career, introducing them to the joys and challenges of eventing and inspiring them all to remain lifelong horse people.
The award panel comprised of “Pippin’s people” believe that Mazzie shares Pippin’s attributes of “a love for cross country and an ability to teach young riders” while being a safe and confidence boosting partner. Just like Pippin, she has a “natural eye for taking jumps” but is equally happy to rule over the farm and “hack out with riders aged 2 to 82.” Through her riders, Mazzie’s impact can be felt on the sport of eventing far outside of her inner circle, and has brought a love of the sport and the horse to the next generation of riders.
Learn more about this Area I award and how to nominate a recipient here.
U.S. Events Opening Entries Today
Bouckaert Equestrian HT International (GA); Southern Pines HT I (NC); SAzEA Spring HT (AZ); Full Gallop Farm March I HT (SC)
U.S. Events Closing Entries Today
Ocala Winter I (FL); Pine Top Intermediate HT (GA)
Other Links and Reading
- Come celebrate Chelsea Canedy’s debut memoir, Finding Purpose, at Royal Grounds Farm in Ocala, FL, on February 13th — including a Q&A session with Chelsea and Hannah Sue Hollberg
- The $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final returns to the Kentucky Horse Park this year — find all the 2026 qualifiers here
- Sharing how to make traditional cross-country fences frangible set to improve eventing safety worldwide
Sponsor Corner
When it’s cold out, should your supplement and feeding program change?
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Training Tip of the Day
Build trust and connection with your horse with these tips from Amelia Newcomb’s Dressage Groundwork Seminar:
Go Eventing
Follow Pippa Funnell around her first Eventing Grand Prix win in 1998 when it took place at Hickstead, aboard the lovely The Tourmeline Rose.
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