United States Eventing Association

In Memoriam: Polaris (2005-2021)

Sara Gumbiner shared the news today that her long-time partner Polaris passed away at the age of 16. Her social media tribute to the Irish Sport Horse gelding reflected on their career together and all of the wonderful ways that he impacted her life and career. The post read:

Bred by Phyllis Dawson, Polaris was by the Irish Sport Horse stallion Brandenburg’s Windstar and out of the Thoroughbred mare North River Lady. Gumbiner started riding the gray in 2011 when he had just completed two events and produced him from the Beginner Novice level through the CCI5*-L level. Throughout the gelding’s long career, Gumbiner was his rider for all but four events.

Polaris, known in the barn as Larry, was Gumbiner’s first FEI horse and together they competed at their first CCI1* (now CCI2*-L) at the Virginia Horse Trials in 2012, placing fifth. They had a top-10 finish at their first CIC2* (now CCI3*-S) at Fair Hill in 2013 and finished 12th at the Jersey Fresh CCI2* (now CCI3*-L) that same spring.

Polaris stepped up to Advanced in 2015 and in 2018 Gumbiner and Polaris competed at their first Kentucky Three-Day Event with a clear-cross country round and a 27th place finish.

Gumbiner and Polaris returned to the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2019 and added another clear cross-country to their record for 22nd. In total they competed at 14 CCI3* (now CCI4*) events from 2016 to 2018.

The USEA sends its sincerest condolences to Gumbiner and all of Polaris’ connections.