We recently asked our members on social media to tell us about their 2024 successes. Amateur rider Alyssa Schaefer (Petaluma, California) wrote in about her year with her 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Fuego (Furst Romancier x Stanzie).
Success in eventing isn’t just about standing atop the podium or achieving personal bests. It’s about enduring long enough to reach those moments. The road is rarely smooth—it’s filled with setbacks, challenges, and lessons that demand grit and resilience from both horse and rider.
For Fuego and me, 2024 marked a decade of partnership—a milestone I treasure deeply. Over these 10 years, Fuego has faced trials that many believed would end his career, but time and again, he’s proven that setbacks are just steppingstones for comebacks. His story is one of unwavering determination, and this year was a testament to his indomitable spirit.
In 2020, we discovered Fuego had a tendon injury. The rehabilitation process lasted an entire year—where at times hope only seemed like a theory taught in books. At the time, we had just reached the Intermediate level, a pinnacle of achievement for us both. Then, seemingly overnight, it was ripped away. Any horse person will tell you: when our horses are hurt, we hurt too. The road to recovery was long and uncertain, and few believed we could overcome it.
Fast forward to now, and Fuego has far exceeded expectations. In 2022, he finished fourth in a CCI3*-S, and our growth has continued ever since. This year, a standout moment was our third-place finish in our first-ever Advanced Intermediate—a culmination of years of training, trust, and incremental progress. That result reignited our aspirations to tackle Advanced next year, a goal that once felt distant and daunting.
However, eventing has a way of humbling you even in moments you feel prepared. Just one show later, an early mistake on cross-country left me face-first in the dirt, sporting my first-ever black eye and a fat, bloody lip. Those bruises weren’t just physical—they were colorful reminders of the patience, resilience, and hours of hard work it takes to master this sport.
We ended the season on a high note with a victory at Intermediate at Aspen Farms in Washington—a competition I wholeheartedly rate five-stars for its challenging courses and breathtaking scenery.
Through all the highs and lows, one thing remains constant: the reward of seeing hard work come to fruition. Fuego and I have poured countless hours into this journey—not just in the saddle but also in his rehabilitation. Over the years, Fuego has faced injuries and setbacks that tested both his body and spirit. Yet, every time, he has come back stronger, teaching me lessons about perseverance that extend far beyond the arena.
What makes Fuego’s story truly special isn’t just the ribbons or results. It’s the unwavering partnership we’ve built over 10 years—the longest I’ve ever had in this sport. It’s the way he meets challenges with courage, even when the odds seem insurmountable. He inspires me, every day, to be better for him.
To anyone navigating a setback with their horse right now, know that you're not alone. I understand the frustration, the doubts, and the fear of an uncertain future. But keep your head up—there is so much joy in seeing your horse return stronger than ever.
In this excerpt, trainer and educator Anne Buchannan explains bit contact connection and why it matters for true collection and healthy movement.
Familiarizing yourself with the key players at each horse trial is an important step to your success at your next competition. One of those important figures is the show secretary. Think of the show secretary as the mastermind behind most of the organizational efforts related to each horse trial. They manage entries, the show schedule, ride times, stabling, and so much more. Without the hard work of the show secretary and their office staff, a horse trial simply would not be able to operate.
The USEA Foundation is pleased to announce a new initiative, the Janet Briggs Fund for the Continuing Education of Licensed Officials. Established in memory of Janet Briggs, this fund honors her lifelong dedication to the sport of eventing by supporting the ongoing education and development of eventing licensed officials.
In the rolling countryside of Metamora, Michigan, there’s a place where eventers gather not just to compete, but to celebrate the spirit of the sport. Area VIII’s Hunter’s Run Farm—home to the Hunter’s Run Farm Horse Trials—has long been a beloved destination for riders across the Midwest, and this year, it’s gearing up for one of its most exciting seasons yet.