United States Eventing Association

It all started when I was about 2 years old. My horse-crazy mom finally got me on the back of a lesson horse at the therapeutic riding stable where she volunteers. While I can’t say I necessarily remember it, I have certainly seen the videos! From what she tells me, I was nervous at first, but as soon as Cody took his first few steps, the next word out of my mouth was “AGAIN!”

Skip ahead to 2015 when my family relocated to Tomball, Texas, a suburb of Houston, and I began taking riding lessons. After the first lesson, first time trotting, cantering, and jumping, the next word out of my mouth was consistent each time, “AGAIN!” At about that same time, my mom, Kristine Bridges, was fortunate to find a situation that allowed her to get back in the saddle. She started riding Wi (Something With A “W”) in September of 2015 in a friend's backyard. At the time, he was a 10-year-old rescue Quarter Horse (Toast To Dash x Good Grief IM Good).

We were able to research his tattoo and find pictures and videos of his racing career. What we don’t know was his history between that time and ending up at the Houston SPCA, and from there, ending up at a backyard barn in Magnolia, Texas. Over the next five years, my mom and Ms. Keea rode and trained Wi. He moved to my lesson barn during that time as well. During the week, I would ride the lesson ponies and go to shows with them, while my mom would take Wi.

On the weekends we didn’t show, I got to ride him. During 2020, during COVID, is when I made the switch from lesson ponies to taking over my mom’s ride on Wi. I started at small local hunter shows and eventually worked my way up to my first Starter level event with him. It was never an easy road, though, constantly hearing from the judges “cute pair,” but the scores would never reflect the amount of hard work I was putting in in the saddle. Wi was a tough ride on the flat, but he was mine! As a Quarter Horse, he certainly isn’t built to be a fancy dressage horse, but he sure tries his heart out for me and on the cross country? He FLIES! He just loves galloping and jumping out there. The jumping phases are where he really shines! Since 2020, we’ve been to countless events from Texas to Massachusetts and just about everywhere in between.

I think the highlight of my time with Wi so far was the summer of 2023. I was able to travel with my trainer and barn friends from Texas to Massachusetts, where we stayed for two months. On the way north, we competed at River Glen in Tennessee. It was so beautiful! This trip was when Wi and I connected in the saddle. We had daily lessons, competed at a few smaller shows and then the crown of the trip was getting to compete at Millbrook Horse Trials in New York alongside some of the biggest names in eventing! I’ll never forget getting a “Good day mate” from Boyd Martin as we passed each other as we crossed the road to stadium and dressage and being in the warm up with Buck Davidson.

Being from Area V, we don’t often see a lot of the five-star riders at our events. To top off the amazing experience, we finished in fifth place! Typically, at an event, Wi and I are at the bottom of the placings after dressage and move up into the top 10, with the occasional top-5 placing. But at Millbrook, I was in the top 10 after dressage and with my fifth place overall, I was right behind one of my barn friends, Maddi. It was awesome!

Although we’ve qualified for the Area V Beginner Novice Championships twice, I couldn't stop dreaming and hoping I'd get the chance to join my barn mates at the AEC on my SPCA rescue Quarter Horse. It’s tough to compete against the fancy warmbloods, and it’s even tougher mentally when you know even if you ride a perfect dressage test, you still likely won’t go home with a blue ribbon. And the toughest part? Seeing other girls your age on fancy imported horses, knowing your mom is working her butt off just so I can keep riding and competing.

Well, it turns out 2025 is our year! After moving barns, finding a new trainer and Wi turning 20, we found out that we qualified for the AEC in the Junior Novice division! It’s truly bittersweet though. I know this will likely be my last big event with him, and I know that we likely won’t be super competitive, but I also know that we’re going to have the absolute best time and soak in the atmosphere with my mom watching and cheering us on from the sidelines!

About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Starter to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of combinations from around the country to compete for fabulous prizes, a piece of the substantial prize money, and the chance to be named the National Champion at their respective levels. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on Aug. 27-31 at Galway Downs in Temecula, California. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles, Marshall+Sterling Equine Insurance; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, Standlee; and more!