Jan 13, 2021

Now On Course: McKenna Miller and Bo Jango

McKenna Miller and Bo Jango. Maya Caceres Photo.

Over the past few years, I have gotten to know McKenna Miller and her current horse, Bo Jango (or "Jimbo" as he is known around the barn). I want to share the story of how she got Jimbo, because it has made a positive impact on my life and has inspired me to be a better person and rider with my own horse.

I met McKenna when we started working together cleaning stalls at a small farm in Georgetown, Kentucky. At the time she had a lovely off-the-track Thoroughbred mare that she was bringing along that had a very promising future. I watched them constantly improve and everyone at the barn got excited about their future together. One night the mare was in an extremely unfortunate pasture accident which left her with an injury that couldn't be healed. She had to make a very difficult decision to let the mare go. I was there at the barn that day and it was absolutely heartbreaking. Our entire barn family felt as though it was a personal loss and the horses knew that they had lost a dear friend.

McKenna and Jimbo on course at the Kentucky Horse Park. Maya Caceres Photo.

For the next few weeks I wondered if she would be able to get back in the saddle and continue with another horse. I’m not sure if I would have had the strength to do so if I was in that position. But after a few weeks, she came back to the farm and started cleaning stalls again and said she wanted to start looking for another horse. I remember admiring her strength and determination to keep riding even though she was still grieving the loss of her mare. Though I knew she was still sad about her loss, she never complained about working hard around the farm. I knew that with that kind of determination there was nothing that was going to stop her from being the best rider she could possibly be.

A short time later is when she found Jimbo. She restarted Jimbo earlier this year and has already taken him around two successful Beginner Novice recognized horse trials and rides for the University of Kentucky Eventing Team. They are becoming a wonderful pair and I cannot wait to see where they are able to go in the future. I have gone schooling with them many times and she always has something positive to say about me and my horse which always makes me smile.

She has stayed positive through what has been a tough year and hasn’t once complained even though the loss of her mare was a tragic accident and extremely unfair. Her strength to persevere with a positive and caring for others attitude has influenced me to be a better person and rider in my own life. Every time I see her and Jimbo out at a show it helps remind me that eventing isn’t about winning ribbons or competing at a higher level than everyone else. Eventing is about supporting other riders when your ride didn’t go well, saying thank you to those that help you, and enjoying your horse regardless of what place you come in.

McKenna praising Jimbo after their dressage test. Maya Caceres Photo.

McKenna and Jimbo have set an amazing example of who I want to be as a rider and a person. This year has been particularly tough for everyone with the pandemic and I just wanted to highlight a positive story that has helped me keep going and riding even when my original plan for this year had been derailed. I can’t wait to see where McKenna and Jimbo go in the future and will always be one of their biggest fans!

The USEA is made up of over 12,000 members, each with their own special horses and experiences. The USEA's Now on Course series highlights the many unique stories of our membership. Do you and your horse have a tale to tell? Do you know someone who deserves recognition? Submit your story to Jessica Duffy at JDuffy@useventing.com to be featured.

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3 Ways to Help Eventing Thrive in 2025

With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.

Dec 20, 2024 Sponsor

“Happy Horse Equals Happy Judge”: Ask An Expert with Dressage Judge Peter Gray, Brought to You by Ride iQ

Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.

Dec 19, 2024 Volunteers

The VIP Volunteer: Cathy Hale Has A Thirst for Adventure and a Love for Volunteering

With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.

Dec 18, 2024 Association News

USEA Office Closed for Holidays

The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.

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