United States Eventing Association

USEA Horse of the Month: High Times

His lineage can be linked to La Biosthetique Sam, his eventing career started with the USEA Young Event Horse Program, his five-star debut was in 2014, and his Adequan North American Youth Championships (NAYC) debut was in 2019 – the USEA August Horse of the Month is High Times!

High Times (Hunter x Gerda I) is a 15-year-old American-bred Holsteiner gelding owned by Jennifer McFall. His grandsire, Heraldik, can also be found in the lineage of the legendary La Biosthetique Sam. In 2009, High Times competed in the USEA Young Event Horse Program as a 5-year-old, never earning scores lower than 80% and finishing third at the 2009 YEH 5-year-old West Coast Championships. High Times made his five-star debut in 2014 at the Kentucky Three-Day Event and continued to compete at Kentucky two more times - in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, Jennifer’s daughter, Taylor McFall, started competing High Times and is coming off a fourth-place finish in the NAYC CCIJ2*-L.

Last week, Earl and Jennifer McFall watched their 16-year-old daughter, Taylor McFall, ride the 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding to a fourth-place finish in the NAYC CCIJ2*-L. Capturing the hearts of many eventers and a class act from start to finish, High Times earned himself the title of August Horse of the Month!

A horse who hates fuzzy halters, loves cross-country, and always wears his heart on his sleeve, get to know High Times through Jennifer McFall.

About High Times

• Barn Name:

Billy

• Favorite treats:

“His favorite treats are Taylor’s homemade 'Pony Puffs' that she started to make when she was fundraising to purchase her pony, Prince. They are a molasses and oat-based cookie with a peppermint on top.”

• Favorite phase:

“Billy’s favorite phase is CROSS-COUNTRY! He loves to show off his big gallop and bold distances.”

• Personality type:

“Billy wears his heart on his sleeve, so you always know what he’s thinking whether it is good or bad! He’s always aiming to please, but his enthusiasm can get in the way sometimes.”

• Likes:

“He loves to roll on grass, which he gets to do daily at home, but at the shows he likes to take you on walks to find the perfect patch to roll in at the end of his lead.”

• Dislikes:

“He hates fuzzy halters, fly masks, and being out in the heat of the day. When he’s done in his turnout, he will whinny to you to be brought in so he can stand in front of his fan inside.”

• Fun facts:

All three family members – Jennifer, Earl, and Taylor McFall have competed Billy. Jennifer McFall took him to his first event in 2009 and ten years later, Taylor McFall took him to his first NAYC. Billy is a YEH graduate, an accomplished five-star horse, and now, a NAYC horse.

Taylor McFall, who is 16 years old, is only one year older than Billy, who is 15 years old.

Miss any of the previous horses? Follow the links to read about the February Horse of the Month, March Horse of the Month, April Horse of the Month, May Horse of the Month, June Horse of the Month, and July Horse of the Month.

About the USEA Horse of the Month

New in 2019, the USEA is recognizing an event horse each month on the USEA website and social media. The USEA Horse of the Month is determined based on statistics and event results and announced at the beginning of every month. The August Horse of the Month was selected based on performance at The Event at Rebecca Farm and High Times, who finished fourth at the NAYC CCIJ2*-L, earned the title.