United States Eventing Association

For me, qualifying for the AEC this year has been a true story of overcoming. Like most adult amateurs I balance training, my family, and my career. It has been a true blessing to have all these things in my life, it just means I must hustle hard.

My trainer Annie Jones purchased Winnie The Pooh (Paradise In White x Glass Eyed Chex), an Appaloosa/Quarter Horse, in 2022. While scrolling on Craigslist, she found his expired “for sale,” ad. When Annie went to see “Pooh,” he had neglected feet and was kept in a pen with beer cans. She was the only one who was able to catch him. She took him home.

At the time I met Annie, I was going through a lot in my personal life. My son had been born in 2021 as a micro-preemie. We had eight surgeries between the two of us. I gained a lot of weight, my body didn’t feel like my own. For the first time in my life, I was scared of horses. My mental health was a dumpster fire.

My show horse needed a place to recover from stifle surgery, so we took him to Annie’s farm. One day, Annie asked me to video her jumping Pooh because she, “wasn’t sure he was cut out for jumping.” I saw something magical that day. Not only did I realize my trainer was beyond talented, but I also saw how special she had made him. We joke about that day now.

When we realized my horse wasn’t going to be sound for eventing, Annie suggested I show Pooh. At the time, Annie had started using Pooh for lessons. I ride him in the evenings, and on the weekends around his lesson schedule and my work schedule. I was the first person to take him cross-country schooling.

Over the last two years, we have developed quite the partnership. At the beginning, I was so physically weak I couldn’t even get a canter transition out of him. We worked hard on the flat, and I started running on my riding days off. Now my goal is to sit my dressage test at Kentucky.

We made our debut at Heritage last year placing fourth. We quickly realized we are competitive, and that I still like to go fast (welcome back old me). This year we have gone to several events, where he has run clean cross-country every time. Not only can he jump—he’s a tank.

We placed first at Queenie Park and second at Windermere/Longview. We made it onto the USEA Leaderboard, which I didn’t even know was a thing at Starter level! Ribbon color doesn’t matter as much as the hard work behind it, but it felt good!

I own a small photography business and work at my son’s school. The hours I put in with Pooh help me to be mentally tough in those areas of my life. He’s helped me to see myself with more confidence. It’s not, “do I look good in these breeches,” but more of a, “do these breeches deserve to be in my closet,” mentality. I’ve set healthier boundaries with friends and family, because I’m now mentally strong enough to do so. He’s truly given me my wings back!

Winnie The Pooh is a a minor celebrity at horse shows now. He’s wonderful with my little boy, and children seem to flock to him. He stands patiently for pets and nose kisses. His color is striking, and he really deserves to be a Breyer model. Our slogan is, “make backyard horses cool again.”

I am so grateful to Pooh and Annie for everything they have done for me over the years. My husband has also been my biggest cheerleader. We have all worked so hard as a team. Not only is my confidence back, but we are getting to show on one of the biggest stages. I can’t wait to cheer on the other moms and serious adult amateurs. Kentucky is truly the icing on the cake.

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 August 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!