From Setback to Spotlight: James Power and His Connemara Sport Horse’s Remarkable Comeback
When 17-year-old James Power headed to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington last month, he wasn’t chasing a blue ribbon. He just wanted a clean go—something steady to help him qualify for this year’s USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships (Adamstown, Maryland). But by weekend’s end, he and his...
Meghan O’Donoghue: Thankful For the Gift of Horses
While many riders spend decades searching for their “horse of a lifetime,” Meghan O’Donoghue considers herself doubly blessed. At only 35 years of age, the international five-star event rider has already had two such horses. Pirate’s Gold Star and Palm Crescent—both bay OTTB geldings—achieved rem...
From the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Cross-Country: Miriam Keefer’s Eventing Journey
At last fall's Full Moon Farm Horse Trials, 16-year-old Miriam Keefer guided her horse, Micky, over the final cross-country jump with quiet determination and a flash of joy. It was her first recognized event at the Novice level, and she placed second out of 16 competitors—qualifying her for both ...
Lily Dal Cin Found Her People—and Her Purpose—Through Intercollegiate Riding
For Lily Dal Cin, college has been as much about grit and growth as it has been about horses and art. As a member of NC State’s intercollegiate eventing team, she’s weathered setbacks with her horses while continuing to ride, support her teammates, and pursue a demanding degree. Through it all, t...
Now On Course: Korbin the Conqueror Beats the Odds
Suzannah Cornue’s Korbin has always stood out in the show ring, thanks to his bright blue eye, bald face, and chestnut pinto coat. However, what really makes this pinto gelding one of a kind isn’t how he looks, but what he’s been through.
Team Spirit, a Trusted Trainer, and a Special Thoroughbred Gave Lila Apple a New Outlook
For 13-year-old Lila Apple, the pathway to eventing hasn’t always been easy. Self-doubt and confidence issues hindered her progress, but after partnering with a precocious and experienced Thoroughbred and a new trainer who helped her hone her skills, she’s thriving—and even has this year’s USEA I...
2024 Richard Picken Memorial Grant Recipient Madelyn Cease is on Her Way Up
Madelyn Cease paused as she scrolled the USEA Foundation website. She stopped on the Richard Picken Memorial Grant, realizing she was eligible for it, so she signed up, never expecting to win the $5,000 fund.
The Power of Community: How Eventing Helped Alison Eastman-Lawler Through Her Hardest Year
Alison Eastman-Lawler has been an active part of the sport for 44 years—this past year was her toughest yet, as she battled breast cancer while running her two eventing facilities in Areas I and III, organizing countless schooling shows and clinics, and teaching close to a hundred students. But t...
Hard Work, No Regrets: 8-Time World Equestrian Brands USEA Rider of the Year Boyd Martin Reflects on Life and Career
When asked if he could go back in time and give the younger version of himself one piece of advice, eight-time World Equestrian Brands USEA Rider of the Year Boyd Martin says he wouldn’t change a thing.
Can’t Keep a Good Horse Down: Ava Vojnovic and LH Clean Slate’s Comeback
“This guy has been through a lot." According to Ava Vojnovic, that was Olympian Boyd Martin’s reaction upon seeing her horse, LH Clean Slate at a clinic last month. He hit the nail on the head. Since 2022, “Slate” has struggled with a multitude of injuries that kept him out of work for just under...
Producing Young Horses Has Jordán Linstedt-Granquist Excited for the Future
When Jordán Linstedt-Granquist entered the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event for the third time with RevitaVet Capato in 2017, she had no clue what the future had in store for her.