United States Eventing Association

Since 2005, the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) classes for 4- and 5-year-olds have showcased rising stars in the eventing world, and many graduates of the program have gone on to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

“Wow, I wasn’t expecting that. He is quite the athlete!” Such comments are fairly common for Jennifer Skinner to hear about her American Quarter Horse stallion Bullys Legacy (“Diggy”). Eleven years ago Skinner, a professional barrel racing and young horse trainer in Bryan, Texas, welcomed the bay colt into the world—he’d been the culmination of dream bloodlines, bred for a career in her industry.

When 15-year-old Sophia Lieberman first laid eyes on her dapple gray mustang Bear Necessities three years ago in Alabama, she had no idea what the future might hold for them. Lieberman and her mother, Dr. Alison LaCarrubba, DVM, were on the hunt for a new project pony, and the 14-hand gelding seemed like he might be a good fit.

Only a few weeks ago, 13-year-old Julitta “Adele” Bryant was convinced that a trip to this year’s USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds wasn’t in the cards for her. But the hard working teen from Ponce De Leon, Florida, was in for a major surprise, thanks to the incredible generosity of a close family friend and fellow eventer.

For many eventers, competing in a long-format three-day is on their bucket list—and with offerings across the country at the lower levels, the goal is much more attainable than it’s ever been.

The Olympic Games kick off this month in Paris, France, and the U.S. Eventing Team has sent three strong horse and rider combinations plus a traveling reserve. We caught up with all four team riders to learn more about them.

Allison Springer and No May Moon may have taken the eventing world by storm with their recent victory at the MARS Bromont CCI4*-L (Quebec, Canada), but the journey began with a dream decades ago. Owned and bred by longtime eventing supporter, Nancy Hamill Winter, the 10-year-old Connemara Sport Horse mare had only just stepped up to the Advanced level this spring.

Eventing fans cheered on the Paris-bound Team USA riders as the mandatory outing wrapped up today with the cross-country phase at Stable View Horse Trials. The team riders and alternates competed in the Advanced division, using Capt. Mark Phillips’ course as a final run before heading to the Olympics next month.

The first day of this weekend’s mandatory outing for the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team kicked off on Friday, June 21, as the team riders, including all the reserves, took part in the Advanced division at the Stable View Summer H.T. With legendary Ian Stark revving up the spectators’ team spirit as announcer, the riders are using this event as a final prep before the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“I always say that my secret weapon out competing is bad weather and bad footing,” said Melanie Smith. Though the Georgia-based rider is a competitor by nature, having completed three 50K Ultramarathons, it was a non-competitive sport that made the most profound impact on where she is today. Decades of foxhunting taught her to trust her horse, fine-tune her cross-country skills, and navigate tricky conditions.