Dec 06, 2019

Madeline (2000-2019)

By Jessica Duffy - USEA Staff
Madeline and Holly Payne. RedBayStock.com Photo.

The USEA is saddened to share the news that Madeline, a chestnut Thoroughbred mare by Mysterious Count, passed away on December 4, 2019 at the age of 19. Madeline, also known as “Baby”, was owned by Jill Gordon and campaigned at the four-star level by Holly Payne Caravella.

“Baby colicked due to a herniated diaphragm,” Gordon said yesterday in a statement on Facebook. “The veterinary team at Mid Atlantic Equine Hospital (under the watchful eye of her lifetime friend Dr. Greg Staller) did everything in their power to save this beautiful horse. They were amazing, compassionate and professional but sadly - her time had come. Baby gave it the good fight (as she always did) and her loss will be felt for a very long time.”

Marilyn Payne sourced Baby as a 4-year-old and brought her east where she told Gordon, “This is a good one – if you can ride her, you can ride anything.”

Gordon rode Baby at the Training level for a year before passing the reins to Payne Caravella, who over the next few years rode Baby steadily up the levels, rarely finishing outside the top 10. In 2008, Payne Caravella rode Baby to a fourth-place finish in their first Advanced as a pair. She completed her first CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) later that year at Fair Hill International in 12th place.

In 2009, Payne Caravella and Baby traveled to England to compete in the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials CCI3*, where they placed 38th. In 2010, they competed in the Advanced Championship at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), placing 6th. The following year they returned to the Fair Hill CCI3* where they placed 14th.

Payne Caravella and Madeline at Blenheim. RedBayStock.com Photo.

In 2012, Baby earned more top finishes at the Advanced level, including 7th at the AEC and a win at the Area II Championships at Morven Park. They were also 7th in the CIC3* at Richland Park. They closed out the year with a top 10 finish in the Fair Hill International CCI3*.

Following her retirement from the upper levels in 2014, Gordon, who had competed Baby periodically while Payne was campaigning her at the upper levels, took the reins and competed her at the Novice level for a season.

In her statement, Gordon paid tribute to the many people whose lives were touched by Madeline, including Payne Caravella. “Holly Payne, who made this horse what she was. Baby had the heart of a lion - but was never easy until Holly tamed and gentled her. I will forever be in Holly's debt for her years of work, partnership and love for our shared angel! Every ride on Baby was like flying on a cloud - Holly did that - thank you forever!”

“Thanks to all of the people who are reaching out to me as this sad news goes around our ‘little community’,” Gordon concluded. “My sense of loss is countered by my sense of privilege to have been friends with a horse like Baby.”

”Madeline was one-of-a-kind,” added Payne Caravella. “She will surely never be forgotten. I credit the start of my professional career to this fiery little redheaded chestnut mare. She taught me so many life lessons and took me to some amazing places!”

The USEA sends our condolences to Gordon and all of Baby’s connections.

Mar 18, 2024 Interscholastic

Double the Fun for the Spirit Award Contests at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships

The coveted Spirit Award, which originated from the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship and quickly became as important as the competition itself, will be returning this year with double the excitement at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships! With the two program championships merging for the first time, the organizing team at Stable View is committed to making the weekend an unforgettable experience for these middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. Separate Spirit Contests will be offered for each program , and Stable View has generously donated perpetual trophies for the two contest champions. The 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Championships will be held at the Stable View Local Charities H.T. on May 4-5, 2024 in Aiken, SC. Click here to learn more and prepare to enter on opening day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19!

Mar 17, 2024 Membership

Membership Minute: How Lucky I Am to Have My Horse

Sometimes all it takes is a little luck on your side to make your dreams come true. We recently asked our USEA membership to share why they feel so lucky to be partnered with the horses they compete with, and we received over 100 heartwarming stories! We compiled some of our favorites below in celebration of today’s luck-themed holiday.

Mar 16, 2024 Eventing News

Miks Master C Passes the Test at SRF Carolina International CCI4*-S

With Paris Olympic team selection this summer as a big goal, Liz Halliday headed out onto Ian Stark’s CCI4*-S cross-country course today at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International hoping to make the time with Miks Master C and show off a smooth round. After leading the division from day 1’s dressage on a 22.5, Halliday was able to accomplish both things and win aboard Ocala Horse Properties’ and Deborah Palmer’s 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF).

Mar 15, 2024 Eventing News

Miks Master C Makes Easy Work of Show Jumping at SRF Carolina International

The standings after today’s CCI4*-S show jumping at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International shuffled with 14 double-clear rounds out of 35 to start, but Liz Halliday stayed right where she was at the top of the leaderboard aboard Miks Master C.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA