United States Eventing Association

I had a little bit of a late start to riding compared to most. I finally convinced my parents at 12 years old and began riding at a small hunter barn after watching lessons of a close friend for about a year or so. I stayed at that barn up until about a year and a half ago in December of 2024, when I took a dressage lesson with Carrie Wehle and decided to join Wehle Farms to become a little more serious about riding.

After Carrie and Galatea HU's owner Amy Winnen discussed, they graciously offered "Gia," a 20-year-old Rheinlander mare (Galant du Serein x Rohmanie) as a lease horse for me in January of 2025 to introduce me into dressage and the world of eventing.

Gia had been to the AEC four times with Amy and Carrie, and helped Amy work towards her U.S. Dressage Federation bronze medal. She also had a foal in 2020.

Carrie completely retrained my way of riding while I worked towards getting Gia back into tip top shape. About seven months later, we made an appearance at the August GVRDC Horse Trial (Geneseo, New York) where we came in second, and the idea of qualifying for the 2026 AEC became real. Since then Gia and I have worked hard to better our connection under saddle and continue to prepare physically and mentally, attending a few more events to finally qualify us. I also took about two weeks to follow Carrie down to Aiken, South Carolina, to increase my riding ability for Gia.

I have been privileged enough to have family that support my dreams to the best of their abilities despite not being horse people, but have had to work my butt off since I started riding to help afford the lease, horse shows, trailering, and all other horse fees. I’m a full-time college student working towards a bachelors degree in Biomedical Science with the hopes of getting my masters to be a PA while also having two part-time jobs alongside working off lessons and trailering fees to help afford my shows.

I am so incredibly lucky Amy shares this incredible mare with me. I could not ask for a more patient mare who is so willing to make up for my errors and teach me the ropes of eventing. AEC seemed like a very distant dream that was years down the line, but Gia has turned that dream into a much closer reality.

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 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on Aug. 25-30 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The AEC is a registered trademark of the USEA.

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, Gallagher’s Water, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartEquine, Standlee; and more!