United States Eventing Association

Young Event Horse Series Highlight: Alyssa Peterson

The Young and Future Event Horse article series is being provided through a partnership between Mythic Landing Enterprises, LLC., and the USEA.

Alyssa Peterson is the resident assistant trainer at Sharon White’s Last Frontier Farm in Summit Point, West Virginia. She is known for retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds, but also brings up many of White’s homebreds and runs her own small breeding operation. An “A” rated Pony Clubber and three-star level rider, Peterson enjoys riding and competing various young horses and has experienced continuous success in the Young Event Horse (YEH) divisions.

White and her owners have looked to Peterson to start many of their homebreds. Peterson explains, “It’s such a great opportunity for me and it’s out of the generosity of Sharon and her owners. I’ve loved taking these talented horses out to the Young Event Horse competitions to really show them off.”

At the Waredaca Horse Trials in August, Peterson rode three talented young horses in the four year-old division. Bold As Brass “Brassy” (Brandenburgs Windstar x Mabelino by Trempolino) is a talented Irish Sport Horse mare owned by Dale Hinman and Adrienne Classen of Wits End Eventing . Brassy made her eventing debut at this Waredaca H.T. Peterson explains, “I was so impressed with her because she really took it all in and kept a cool head, which isn’t easy to do in such an electric atmosphere. She’s super bold over ditches, banks, water, really anything you put in front of her!”

Peterson’s second ride of the day was another Irish Sport Horse mare owned by Wits End Eventing in conjunction with Sharon White. Dixie Diva (Cicera’s Icewater x Chequer Account by Chequer) competed in her second YEH class where she finished in second place. “Dixie has such an amazing attitude about everything and is very forward thinking. She’s great in the dressage ring and at just 4-years-old is already coming through and stepping under herself, which is super exciting! Each time she heads to a show she’s more relaxed and in the zone. We really like her a lot and we’re excited to see she where goes up the levels,” Peterson describes.

Nicole Wood’s Harrison, Peterson’s final YEH ride, is a talented off-the-track Thoroughbred that at only four years-old has taken to the sport effortlessly. Peterson says, “Cross-country is so natural for him! He still has some racehorse tendencies and needs to be put to work and feel like he has a job. Waiting around was a bit difficult for him at his first show but he put in some great work the whole day. He finished his day in 3rd place and we’re still working on him building more muscle so he is able to maintain movements in the dressage ring but we are looking forward to his future!”

The Future and Young Event Horse program allows these young horses to gradually make the leap into the eventing world with a very minimal amount of pressure. Peterson commented that, “The in-hand portion allows the horses to settle before you have to start riding. Even though you’re in the midst of a real horse trial, there’s a lot less tension. The gradual progression for the horses to do a few of these classes before participating in a full horse trial has proven to be very beneficial for all of my youngsters in training.”

About the Young Event Horse (YEH) Series

Series Mission

The USEA Young Event Horse Series (YEH) is best described as an eventing talent search. The goal is to identify young horses that possesses the talent and disposition that, with proper training, can excel in the uppermost levels of eventing. While the ultimate aim is to identify the future four-star horses, many fine event horses who will excel at the lower levels will also be showcased.

The Series gives owners and breeders the opportunity to showcase the potential of their four- and five-year-old horses while encouraging the breeding and development of top-level event horses for the future. Classes focus on education and preparation of the event horse in a correct and progressive manner.

For questions, please contact Kate Lokey.

About Mythic Landing Enterprises

At Mythic Landing Enterprises, we offer services for professional riders, boarding facilities, event facilities, and more. Our staff is made up of knowledgeable horsewomen who possess many years of experience competing in equestrian sports, so we welcome opportunities to couple our knowledge of the horse world with our skills in marketing, public relations, business management, and event planning. From large and complex to small and simple, Mythic Landing Enterprises, LLC offers planning, coordination, marketing, development, management, and public relations services to equestrian clients. Based in the heart of Maryland, we hope to become a household name in the world of equestrian sports.