United States Eventing Association

When people see Haunted Blessings and me competing today, they see a horse-and-rider team that qualified for the 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships. What they don’t always see is the patience, trust, and hard work it took to get here.

Two years ago, my mom and I weren’t even looking for another horse. We stopped by a local farm to see a newly arrived palomino gelding, and the moment I met him, I knew he was special. He was goofy, curious, and friendly—he even stole my hat and played with it before giving it back. A few weeks later, I got to ride him, and we clicked right away. That horse was "Ghost."

Ghost was only 5 and had very little training. He knew the basics, but he didn’t yet know how to balance himself or carry a rider correctly. We were both learning at the same time: I was a young rider gaining experience, and he was a young horse figuring out his job.

After we bought him, we learned something heartbreaking about his past. My mom found photos on social media showing Ghost severely neglected and nearly starving. We reached out to Melissa Glosson, the woman who had rescued him, and she told us his story. Ghost had actually been rescued twice from neglectful situations before he came to us. Hearing what he had survived made me appreciate him even more and made me want to give him the best life possible.

Even with all he had overcome, Ghost still had challenges. He was nervous and spooky when he first arrived, and new situations could make him anxious. He needed time, consistency, and patience. With turnout, pasture friends, and a steady routine, he slowly began to relax. Day by day, the worried horse who came to our farm grew more confident.

Training wasn’t always easy. Some things that seemed simple took weeks or months to figure out, and there were days I felt frustrated or cried because it seemed like we weren’t making progress. But every challenge taught me something. Ghost showed me that training isn’t about perfection—it’s about trust, patience, and learning together.

One of the biggest surprises was how much Ghost loves to jump. The first time I pointed him at a fence, he went over it like he had been doing it forever. Jumping came naturally to him, and while dressage has always been our hardest phase, it quickly became clear that jumping was our favorite. Every time we entered a jumping ring, Ghost seemed to light up.

Our first schooling horse trial was a huge learning experience. Our dressage test was far from perfect, and Ghost added a few movements that definitely weren’t in the test. But once we got to the jumping phases, everything started to come together. From that moment on, I knew we had real potential as a team.

Over the next year, we kept competing and gaining experience. We attended horse trials, worked with trainers, and focused on improving every phase of eventing. Ghost and I entered our first USEA competitions at the Starter level. Every outing taught us something new and made us more confident.

One of my favorite things about Ghost is that people often underestimate him. Because he is a Tennessee Walking Horse, many assume he shouldn’t be an event horse. But Ghost doesn’t care what people think. He goes out and tries his heart out every time, and watching him prove people wrong has been incredibly rewarding.

This season, we qualified for the Area I Championships. It was our first overnight competition, and I was excited but nervous. We were competing against talented riders and horses, and I wanted to do my best. Ghost stayed focused, and together we completed all three phases. When the results were posted, and I saw that we had finished fifth, I was thrilled.

That fifth-place finish meant even more: we had qualified for the 2026 AEC.

Qualifying for AEC felt like the reward for everything Ghost and I had worked through together. It wasn’t just about one competition. It represented every early morning, every lesson, every setback, and every small victory along the way. It represented the trust we built and the partnership we created.

What makes it even more meaningful is Ghost’s history. There was a time when people weren’t sure he would survive. He was neglected not once, but twice. Today, he is healthy, loved, and competing at a level many people never imagined for him. His journey is proof that horses can overcome incredible obstacles when someone believes in them.

Ghost is more than my horse. He is my partner and one of my best friends. We have learned so much together, and I can’t imagine this journey with any other horse. Qualifying for the AAEC is one of the proudest moments of my riding career so far, but the most important part is knowing how far Ghost has come.

When I look at him today, I don’t see a horse who was rescued twice. I see a horse with a huge heart who never gave up. And I’m incredibly grateful that I get to be part of his story.

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!