United States Eventing Association

Caroline Pamukcu planned to make her case for Paris Olympic selection this weekend at the Tryon International CCI4*--L, and she achieved her goal, leading the division from start to finish on HSH Blake.

Caroline Pamukcu came to the Tryon International CCI4*-L to tick off the box with three of her 9-year-olds and to impress selectors as the Paris Olympics loom this summer. Of her three, HSH Blake has the most experience, though this is his first CCI4*-L, and he skipped around Helen West’s cross-country course today inside the optimum time of 10 minutes.

For such a young horse, HSH Blake has been all over the world and in many of the biggest arenas with Caroline Pamukcu, so cantering into the dressage ring today at the Tryon International CCI4*-L was no big deal despite the big stadium.

For Maryland eventer Courtney Waskiewicz, a bond formed with a talented, yet quirky, palomino Connemara pony more than two decades ago shaped her career as a horsewoman. Together, she and Wil’Ya Love Me (better known as “Willy”) learned to trust one another, even when the odds were stacked against them.