United States Eventing Association

We found The Riddler when I had fallen out of love with riding. He was kind of my mom’s last effort to keep me in the saddle. If it didn’t work, it didn’t work, and I’d go play volleyball.

She did a Facebook search for “care lease,” and this horse that had been for lease a couple of years prior came up. He was advertised as “an amazing confidence builder…He is as honest as they come and is happy to jump from the base, the long spot, or anywhere in between.” She sent a message, basically, selling me and my experience (and lack thereof) to whomever was on the other side of that Facebook message.

I was coming from a barn that was primarily dressage. Jumping was not my strong suit, but I really wanted to be an eventer. A few days later we got a reply that we could come meet "Riddle" and see if it was a match. We had our first lesson together on Jan. 17, 2022. We were told that Riddle was all business, didn’t really have a personality, really preferred the humans just feed him and bring his favorite treats, oatmeal cream pies and watermelon.

I continued to take just one lesson a week for a month or so until we decided it was time to make the lease official. He was going to show me the ropes of eventing, and while we’re now ranked in the top 5 of Area III at Beginner Novice, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

Riddle (Ruben O x Genal Syd) had gone Beginner Novice with his “mom” Juli, but in 2016 he had a life-threatening infection in his fetlock joint. The vets told her that he would likely not have a great quality of life and recommended euthanasia. Juli told them to find a way. They did arthroscopic surgery, and he made it through, and then he was to be retired.

Well, he didn’t like the retirement life. After Riddle was rehabbed he went back to Juli’s farm, but he caused all kinds of chaos there. Juli thought maybe he just needed a light job and more structure, so he went back to where she trained, with Maren Foster at Waterford Eventing. Fast forward three years, and Juli and Riddle competed at Three Lakes Horse Trials (Groveland, Florida), finishing Riddle’s slowest cross-country round ever. Juli was just happy he was able to get around a full course. They went to a few more shows, but to this day Juli calls herself a chicken and now spends her time in a dressage saddle. That’s why Riddle came up for lease. He always needed to have a job, but wasn’t exactly the fanciest dressage horse.

In October 2022, we completed our first Starter three phase together at The Event at Terranova (Myakka City, Florida). It wasn’t the prettiest finish; we had a stop at the water, because there were obviously monsters in there, but a finish in the ribbons and our first victory gallop had me completely hooked.

We went to a couple more schooling shows, and back to Terranova in the spring of 2023, where we made huge improvements. We worked all summer and moved up to Beginner Novice in the fall. Our first recognized show was at Rocking Horse (Altoona, Florida) in November, where we had another stop. Riddle blames the big scary Modified ditch that was next to his little blue ramp. More monsters live in ditches.

Back to schooling we went. We were definitely ready for Three Lakes in February of 2024, or so we thought. There are also monsters at the bottom of down banks. Still finished on a number, not a letter. We came back three weeks later, and we made it through cross-country, but had a rail in show jump. Built some confidence at Florida Horse Park and Majestic Oaks, running a clear cross-country at both, I thought, “We’re finally figuring this out.”

Back to Rocking Horse we went. It was going to be the redemption ride. And then I fell. At fence 2. Twice. Just going to fast forward again past another couple stops and a fall. We went back to work summer 2025, and that’s when things really started to click for us.

We earned our AEC placing qualification at Ocala Fall I (Florida). Then finished on our dressage score at Rocking Horse; another qualifier down. The extra jumping work was working, and now we had to start working on Riddle’s favorite phase, dressage. We earned our first sub-30 dressage score at Rocking Horse in February, then in March we finally got our blue ribbon at Terranova, the place where it all started, on our personal best. All of the kinks were worked out. We recently placed second at the Area III Championships, just .9 penalties behind first. Next up for us is the AEC.

This is going to be one of the most meaningful and probably emotional shows for both of us. While we’re still riding at Beginner Novice, this is Riddle’s retirement year. Officially. Well… I guess we will see how he feels about that. Due to his prior injury, he won’t compete any higher.

He has taught me so much about putting the horse before the sport. I could move up, I would love to move up, but Riddle and I have formed this bond that only us horse people can understand. He’s my partner, and I am his. We’re going to finish this season strong and have all the fun that we can together. The horse with very little personality now does a few tricks, smiles for the camera, gives me hugs, and lets me run around after him. The horse that never laid down less than a 35 in dressage, is now consistently in the high 20s, low 30s. The kid who almost quit now has dreams of riding for Team USA one day.

My mom says I’ve kept him young, giving him a job that he loves with his kid. Some horses will test you; some will teach you, and others will bring out the best in you. Riddle has done all of that for me. Making me a confident rider, and a great horsewoman.

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!