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Born into an equestrian dynasty, Alex grew up in a house just 100 meters from the barn, with horses as a constant presence. His father, Michael Matz, is a three-time Olympian, World Championship medalist, and Kentucky Derby-winning trainer. His mother, D.D. Matz, is also a Pan American Games medalist with an exceptional eye for talent.
Despite this pedigree, there was no pressure to ride. &ldquo;They never forced me to do it,&rdquo; Alex says. &ldquo;I think the pressure I feel is the pressure I put on myself.&rdquo;
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">Finding His Own Path in Show Jumping</h3>
Unlike many top juniors who compete intensively from a young age, Alex didn&rsquo;t take the sport seriously until after college. While studying, he watched his friends pursue finance careers in New York City, but the corporate world didn&rsquo;t have the same appeal.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t as appealing as following my dreams and making a career with horses,&rdquo; he says. 
</blockquote>
After graduation, he fully committed, training with industry greats like John and Beezie Madden and Jos Lansink, learning from their expertise and blending it with the knowledge gained from his parents.
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color"><img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6ca3d3ca-493a-4faf-bb7b-96319d36df21.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Alex Matz 1"></h3>
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">Toronto Triumph and a Partnership Built on Trust</h3>
One of Alex&rsquo;s biggest career highlights came at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, where he won three FEI classes&mdash;an achievement he still can&rsquo;t quite believe.
&ldquo;That week was fantastic,&rdquo; he recalls. &ldquo;The crowds are huge, and I don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;ve ever won three FEI classes at one show before.&rdquo;
One of the horses that took him to victory was Ikigai, a talented gelding owned by the McNeil family, who have been instrumental supporters of Alex&rsquo;s career.
&ldquo;Ikigai had an injury where he was out for close to a year, and they really stayed patient,&rdquo; Alex explains. &ldquo;We had always believed he would win a five-star Grand Prix, and when he did, it was amazing.&rdquo;
With the US Equestrian Open on the horizon, Ikigai is Alex&rsquo;s top contender. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s the most talented horse I&rsquo;ve ever ridden,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;If I do things right, he&rsquo;ll jump clear.&rdquo;
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">The Hard Work Behind the Success</h3>
A key part of Alex&rsquo;s development has been the daily commitment from his father. Even with a full racing stable to manage, Michael Matz still makes time to train with Alex every day. 
&ldquo;My dad is up at 4:30 AM to go to the racetrack, then comes here, and we have a flat lesson every day,&rdquo; Alex says. &ldquo;Having him and my mom&rsquo;s guidance is the best strategy for me.&rdquo; 
His mother, known for her sharp eye in selecting talent, balances out his father&rsquo;s optimism. &ldquo;My dad thinks every horse can go to the Olympics,&rdquo; Alex laughs. &ldquo;And I like every horse too! But my mom is much more selective.&rdquo;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c9d3598e-d999-483c-8997-0c63072dd74f.png?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Alex Matz 2">
<h3 class="sh-color-black sh-color">Why the US Equestrian Open Matters</h3>
The US Equestrian Open represents something bigger than just another major event. With Rolex and USEF coming together to create a new, elite series, Alex sees it as a game-changer.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It brings a lot to the sport&mdash;not just for the riders and owners, but also for the fans,&rdquo; he explains. &ldquo;It brings us all together toward a common goal that will be really good for show jumping.&rdquo; 
</blockquote>
Winning the inaugural US Equestrian Open Jumping Final would be a defining moment.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;We know it&rsquo;s going to be the best horses and riders, so it will be extremely competitive,&rdquo; Alex says. &ldquo;But if it all goes right, it would further prove how incredible Ikigai is, and how strong our partnership has become.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
With Ikigai in top form and his team behind him, there&rsquo;s no doubt that Alex Matz will be one to watch when the US Equestrian Open Final gets underway.
 The Jumping Final is now just days away. Action continues in the qualifiers in both Eventing and Dressage.&nbsp; Stay connected with the US Equestrian Open on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the USEF Network for live event updates, stories, and results. Use #USEquestrianOpen to share your own experiences and connect with fellow fans.

New Podcast: Alex Matz – Building a Career, One Round at a Time

New Podcast: David O'Connor on Changing The Game for Horse Sports

<h3 data-start="433" data-end="462">&nbsp;</h3>
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<h3 data-start="433" data-end="462">The Riders to Watch</h3>
At the top of the prediction center sits Boyd Martin and Luke 140, a serious talent making a long-awaited return. While Boyd&rsquo;s horse is undeniably gifted, will he be at full throttle this early in the season?
Meanwhile, Phillip Dutton has a powerful hand with Jewelent and Quasi Cool, both well-placed to secure more crucial Open points. Dutton already holds the lead in the standings&mdash;could Bouckaert extend his advantage?
Another major contender is Lucienne Bellissimo&rsquo;s Dyri, a standout in the first phase with the lowest dressage average in the field. If she jumps clear in show jumping, she could find herself at the top heading into cross-country.
<h3 data-start="1141" data-end="1194">The Bouckaert Challenge: Time is Everything</h3>
Bouckaert&rsquo;s cross-country course is a true test of speed and endurance, with only four combinations in history finishing inside the time in this class. In an event where cross-country time penalties will likely decide the winner.
<h3 data-start="1479" data-end="1526">Dark Horse Alert: Who Could Surprise?</h3>
With fast horses and new riders riders in the mix, don&rsquo;t be surprised if a new name shakes up the leaderboard. Could this be the breakthrough event for someone like Ava Wehde and Bonaire? A strong show jumper with speed potential, Bonaire could benefit from the nature of this venue. Diarm picks them as his dark horse to follow here and in the series in general.&nbsp;
<h3 data-start="1827" data-end="1855">Who Takes the Win?</h3>
With it being so early in the season, and the influence of time so high, this is one of the hardest events to call. Expect&nbsp;Dutton, Martin, Bellissimo, and a few surprises to be in the mix for the podium.
Follow the action and check out the <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/306031364/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">full Form Guide here</a> Stay tuned for our post-event breakdown, and get ready for the next stop: Carolina International!

New Podcast: Eventing Series Returns; Bouckaert International Preview

<h3><a href="https://pod.fo/e/2afa9a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You can listen to the interview here</a> The Early move to Florida</h3>
Anna&rsquo;s journey began in Michigan, where her childhood was filled with dreams of horses and riding. In the show, she talks about her parents sacrifice to get her and her brother access to great education - and of their unwavering support for a road less travelled when the opportunity to ride presented itself.&nbsp;
 <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/77982306-f0e9-490c-9f89-3ca2487fd584?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="&ldquo;i Had Been a Working Student for Belinda Nairn a Couple Summers When I Was in High School. and Then She Offered&hellip; She Had an Injury Where She Had to Stop Riding. and so She Offered Me a Job to Com"> A pivotal moment in her career came when she made the decision to move to Florida to work with Belinda Nairn, an opportunity that allowed her to ride a variety of horses and immerse herself in the sport at a high level. Though it meant stepping away from traditional education, it provided her with the experience that would later shape her into a top competitor.
Anna&rsquo;s father played a crucial role in her journey, serving as a mentor, supporter, and even a &ldquo;dressage dad&rdquo; who follows her results as closely as any dedicated sports fan. His background as a competitive athlete himself has given him an eye for detail and an understanding of the dedication it takes to succeed in sports. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/0b3717b6-75b1-4892-b19b-dde43853f6ee?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Anna 2">
<h3><a href="https://pod.fo/e/2afa9a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You can listen to the interview here</a></h3>
<h3>Family Support and Balancing Parenthood</h3>
Beyond her personal ambition, Anna credits her success to the support system around her. As a mother, she faces the challenge of balancing her professional career with her deep attachment to her children. She acknowledges that her family&rsquo;s unwavering support allows her to focus on competing at the highest level without feeling the guilt of time spent away from home. It&rsquo;s this deep-rooted sense of family and connection that resonates with so many equestrian fans and makes her story relatable.
<h3>Fire Fly: A Teacher in Patience</h3>
One of Anna&rsquo;s standout horses, Firefly, and <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/us-riders-marek-and-kohmann-dominate-a-chilly-night-in-wellington" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the winner of a leg in this series already</a>, did not arrive in her barn as a finished Grand Prix competitor. He was talented but faced mental roadblocks, particularly in the piaffe. Rather than pushing too hard, Anna took a measured approach, allowing Fire Fly to progress at his own pace.
&ldquo;He has taught me more than any other horse about patience and when to slow down,&rdquo; she says. Her strategy involved treating him as though he was learning from scratch, allowing him to rebuild his confidence. That methodical patience paid off, as Firefly has since delivered some of the highest scores in the US Equestrian Open, earning over 80% from one of the judges this year.
<h3>Fayvel: A Rising Star</h3>
If Firefly represents a lesson in patience, then Fayvel is Anna&rsquo;s chance to be bold. Originally owned and competed by&nbsp;Cynthia Davila, Fayvel transitioned into Anna&rsquo;s competitive string when Cynthia&rsquo;s injury took her out of the saddle. Despite coming onto the international stage slightly later than intended, Fayvel is proving to be a powerhouse, taking Anna to the the World Cup&trade; Final in Riyadh in April 2024. His rideability allows Anna to take more risks, particularly in the freestyle where she can push for every point.
<h3>The Power of Freestyle and Music Selection</h3>
One of the most exciting elements of dressage for fans is the freestyle to music, where riders choreograph performances to music that enhances their horse&rsquo;s movements. For Fire Fly, Anna and his owner wanted something dramatic&mdash;the theme from Stranger Things became the perfect fit. Working with a top freestyle designer, Anna and her team built a routine that matches Fire Fly&rsquo;s strengths, adding an extra dimension to their performances.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e76d51e9-7df7-47ac-9463-a4cccef31e74?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Anna 3">
<h3>The US Equestrian Open and Building Fan Connection</h3>
One of the key goals of the US Equestrian Open is to make the sport more accessible and relatable to fans. For Anna, this initiative is helping to bridge the gap between riders and spectators.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;When you feel like you know someone, you&rsquo;re more likely to cheer for them. Our sport needs that&mdash;positivity and connection.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
With the Open currently in a run of week-to-week shows taking us through almost directly to late April, fans now have the opportunity to watch leaderboards shift and follow riders like Anna on their journey. Seeing their stories unfold week after week transforms names on a leaderboard into athletes with a narrative&mdash;one that fans can invest in, just like any other sport.
<h3>Looking to the Future</h3>
As Anna continues to compete at the highest level, she also has her eyes on the next generation of top horses. One name to watch is Lareau D.E. , or &ldquo;Larry&rdquo;, a young talent that she believes could be a future international star. With a natural ability for piaffe and passage, Larry&rsquo;s progress will be one to follow closely - Check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/phylbot07/">@phylbot07 on Instagram.&nbsp;</a>
<h3>A Season of Excitement</h3>
The US Equestrian Open is providing a platform for our US superstars like Anna Marek to share their journey, bringing fans into the sport in a deeper way. As she continues to compete and inspire, one thing is clear&mdash;Anna&rsquo;s story is one of passion, patience, and perseverance, and she is just getting started. <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2afa9a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">You can listen to the interview here</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Next?</h2>
The qualifiers continue in Wellington next weekend for Adequan&reg; Global Dressage Festival 7, where two key contenders in the US Open of Dressage standings will be in action&mdash;Evelyn Eger (GER), who currently shares the lead, and&nbsp;Felicitas Hendricks (GER), winner of Week Two&rsquo;s qualifier. With standings this competitive, next weekend's results could once again reshape the leaderboard. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/6abfec54-c7a7-4701-b7d4-b6f08629db57?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 Us Equestrian Open of Dressage Series">
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
For the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most up-to-date series calendar</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen">&nbsp;Facebook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen">&nbsp;Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian">&nbsp;Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.

New Podcast: Anna Marek on Passion, Patience, and Performance

In a recent episode of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Podcast, Annie Bishop sat down with eventing star Sharon White and EquiRatings' Diarmuid Byrne to discuss one of the most exciting horses in the sport today &mdash; Jaguars Duende.&nbsp; The US Equestrian Open Podcast is available <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on all podcast channels here</a> and you can check out Sharon's <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2ac78a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">episode here.&nbsp;</a>
<h2 class="p-rich_text_section">A Mare with Confidence and Character</h2>
Sharon White describes Jaguars Duende as fiercely independent and confident, traits she believes are essential for success.
<blockquote>
"She shows up to work every day. She likes her job, she likes doing things well, and she goes along with my motto: If you're going to do something, do it well. That&rsquo;s what makes her so special &mdash; she finds enjoyment in working hard." 
</blockquote>
Her determination is evident not only in competition but also in training. Sharon enjoys that Jaguars Duende isn&rsquo;t afraid to express herself, even if it means bucking her off every now and then!
<blockquote>
"I like that she has enough confidence to try and tell me to go fly a kite sometimes."
"If you&rsquo;re gonna do something, do it well, otherwise don&rsquo;t bother to do it. Which includes bucking me off, by the way! That&rsquo;s one of her favorite things too &mdash; which I love, right? Because I like that she has enough confidence to try and tell me to go fly a kite sometimes."
</blockquote>
<h2><video controls="controls" width="600" height="300"><source src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/c66e89fb-6000-4eed-9ed9-9ef123b671cb" type="video/mp4"></video></h2>
<h2>A Remarkable Journey from an Unlikely Start</h2>
<blockquote>
"When I first saw the videos, I was like, 'I wouldn&rsquo;t buy that.'"
</blockquote>
Jaguars Duende&rsquo;s journey began when Sharon purchased her as a three-year-old, sight unseen. However, she admits her first impressions weren&rsquo;t exactly glowing.
"When I first saw the videos, I was like, 'I wouldn&rsquo;t buy that. Just being honest.' And then when she came over, I thought, 'I don&rsquo;t know. I don&rsquo;t know what&rsquo;s going to happen.'"
Despite initial doubts, White recognized that Jaguars Duende needed time and patience. She focused on helping her develop confidence and strength rather than rushing her progress. That patience has certainly paid off, as she has developed into one of the most exciting horses in US eventing today.
<blockquote>
"I&rsquo;ve always thought big picture with her. It&rsquo;s not about the immediacy of what you&rsquo;re going to do this weekend. It&rsquo;s: what am I going to do three years from now? That&rsquo;s what really interests me."
</blockquote>
<h2>A Stellar Competition Record</h2>
Jaguars Duende has quickly become one of the sport&rsquo;s most talked-about rising stars. Diarmuid shared the impressive statistics:
<ul class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet p-rich_text_list--nested" data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-list-tree="true" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">11 international starts, nine podium finishes (the other two starts were withdrawals before cross-country)</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">Three wins in her last four competitions</li>
<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0">A victory in the Maryland 5 Star CCI3*-L to close out the 2024 season</li>
</ul>
These numbers are staggering, but White admits she rarely focuses on them.
<blockquote>
"It's hard to read the label when you're inside the box. You don't even realize what's happening until you step back and look at that pile of blue ribbons. I was cleaning out the barn and found this pile of ribbons, and I thought, 'Holy moly, they're all Jags!'"
</blockquote>
<h2 class="p-rich_text_section"><video controls="controls" width="600" height="300"><source src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/40daeed9-fdb5-437d-be20-7123a08e2d76" type="video/mp4"></video> The Road Ahead: US Equestrian Open and Beyond</h2>
<blockquote>
"With horses, you never really know. You make a plan, but they tell you what&rsquo;s next."
</blockquote>
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Jaguars Duende is set to make her first appearance at <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/about-the-us-equestrian-open-series" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bouckaert</a>. While the US Equestrian Open remains a possibility, White emphasizes the journey will be dictated by what Jags tells her.
"The US Equestrian Open is exciting because it brings so much fun into the sport. There&rsquo;s so much talk about it, so much anticipation. You look at the calendar and think, &lsquo;Could this be an option?&rsquo; But with horses, you never really know. You make a plan, but they tell you what&rsquo;s next."
White&rsquo;s philosophy remains centered on patience and trusting the process. Every step of Jaguars Duende's career has been carefully planned to ensure she moves up when she&rsquo;s ready. With continued growth and strong performances, her future looks incredibly bright.
&nbsp;
<h2>"My Little Pegasus"</h2>
Jaguars Duende is more than just a top competitor; she&rsquo;s a horse with presence, personality, and a devoted team behind her. Sharon White&rsquo;s dedication to her long-term success is evident, and as she steps into 2025, fans will be eagerly following along to see just how far she can go.
<blockquote>
"She doesn&rsquo;t mind digging deep when she has to, and I love that. That&rsquo;s something you need in a great horse. When she started to give me that feeling, I would call her my little Pegasus, because suddenly, she had wings."
</blockquote>
With a stellar track record and a team committed to her development, Jaguars Duende is a name to remember. As the season unfolds, we&rsquo;ll all be watching to see where her journey takes her.
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Next in the Open?</h2>
Having kicked off in 2024, the US Equestrian Open qualifiers will pick back up in March when the leaderboard battle continues at Bouckaert.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/145ad0e6-6356-4cd4-98f7-394e78b6afdb?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Event Calendar for the 2024-2025 U.S. Equestrian Open of Eventing Series">
For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.
<h3>Series Standings at the End of 2024:</h3>
See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier,&nbsp;<a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d85de2e9-4a7d-4cdc-9eb6-538d9de32553?width=1080&amp;height=1682" alt="Table Showing the Top 10 Athletes on the Us Open of Eventing Leaderboard as of the End of 2024">
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
&nbsp;
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

Photo of Sharon White during an awards ceremony. She is seen from the torso up behind her horse's ears, who she sits on while smiling very broadly, still in her show jumping kit.

Jaguars Duende: Sharon White on Her Rising Star of US Eventing

The new <a href="https://podfollow.com/the-us-equestrian-open-podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open Podcast</a> is live. Within the jumping episodes, it promises exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and a deep dive into the journey leading up to the&nbsp;US Equestrian Open Final in Wellington. We are delighted to announce that Kim Prince will host the show.
Kim Prince &mdash; an accomplished rider, coach, and commentator &mdash; joins the show with a wealth of experience, offering a perspective that few can. From bold career moves&nbsp;to&nbsp;team triumphs&nbsp;and memorable moments in global competition, Kim shares her remarkable journey in the sport, along with her vision for its future. <video controls="controls" width="1000" height="500"><source src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/42f713fc-10ac-4928-b45a-7df21009028b" type="video/mp4"></video>
<h2>Following a Dream: Kim Prince&rsquo;s Unconventional Path to Show Jumping</h2>
Kim&rsquo;s introduction to the sport was anything but ordinary. Growing up in Park City, Utah, she always loved horses, even turning her western horse into a jumper. But it wasn&rsquo;t until she was&nbsp;16&nbsp;that she took a leap of faith, moving to&nbsp;Virginia to fully immerse herself in the world of show jumping.
With no internet or social media back then, she relied on equestrian magazines&nbsp;for inspiration. When she saw&nbsp;Katie Monahan Prudent&nbsp;on the cover of&nbsp;Practical Horseman&nbsp;twice in one year, she decided Katie must be the best. Instead of waiting for an opportunity, Kim&nbsp;flipped to the classifieds, found Katie&rsquo;s number, and cold-called her. That bold move changed her life.
Katie invited her to try out, and from that moment, Kim never looked back. She trained under Katie and John Madden, progressing from&nbsp;student to assistant trainer, learning the&nbsp;grit, discipline, and commitment&nbsp;required to succeed at the top levels of the sport.
<h2>The Reality of Chasing Dreams: Hard Work and High Stakes</h2>
Kim&rsquo;s story underscores the fearlessness of youth &mdash; the willingness to take big risks and chase a passion without hesitation. But talent alone isn&rsquo;t enough. She highlights the relentless work ethic&nbsp;needed to rise in the sport, the&nbsp;importance of finding the right mentors, and the&nbsp;mental and physical demands of high-performance riding.
Her journey serves as a reminder: success in show jumping isn&rsquo;t instant &mdash; it&rsquo;s built through years of dedication, learning, and perseverance.
<h2>Competing for Team USA: A Moment of Triumph</h2>
One of Kim&rsquo;s career-defining moments came when she received her first call-up to the US Nations Cup team. Competing in&nbsp;Drammen, Norway, she and her teammates&mdash;including&nbsp;Aaron Vale and Candice King &mdash; weren&rsquo;t sure what to expect. What happened next was unforgettable:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;The very first Nations Cup I did, we won. I just thought it was the most incredible feeling ever. We had a killer team, and we literally won every class.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Beyond the victories, it was an eye-opening experience&mdash;learning from European riders, adapting to different styles, and understanding the depth of the sport&rsquo;s culture outside the US.
<h2>La Baule, France: A Crowd Like No Other</h2>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;No, just the French riders and you.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Every rider has a defining competition, and for Kim, one of those moments came in La Baule, France. After delivering a&nbsp;double-clear in the Nations Cup, she entered the Grand Prix jump-off to a&nbsp;thunderous standing ovation. The crowd clapped, stamped their feet, and erupted in cheers&mdash;a moment of pure sporting magic.
At first, she thought they were cheering for all the riders. Later, her mother told her: &ldquo;No, just the French riders and you.&rdquo;
Her horse, Jus de Pomme, had a&nbsp;French name, and the crowd embraced her as their own. It was a moment that stuck with Kim forever, highlighting the&nbsp;deep appreciation European crowds have for the horses &mdash; a level of engagement she believes US fans can adopt&nbsp;to bring even more energy to the sport.
<h2>Wellington: The Epicenter of US Show Jumping</h2>
While show jumping in the US was once spread across multiple Florida cities,&nbsp;Wellington has become the undisputed hub. With riders from&nbsp;Europe, South America, and Canada&nbsp;joining the American circuit,&nbsp;the level of competition has never been higher.
Kim sees this as an advantage:
<blockquote>
"You want to compete against the people you're going to compete against at the biggest championships. If you only ride against the same group, you&rsquo;re not being pushed. Wellington gives US riders that constant challenge, and it&rsquo;s only getting bigger.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Now, with the WEF 12 Championship Final&nbsp;becoming a major highlight of the season,&nbsp;Wellington is evolving into a true US jumping championship venue &mdash; one every rider wants to win before they retire.
<h2><video controls="controls" width="1000" height="500"><source src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/02590e37-a845-48ed-919d-0accccbaf221" type="video/mp4"></video></h2>
<h2>Why Storytelling Matters in Show Jumping</h2>
One of the key takeaways from the podcast is the need for better storytelling in equestrian sports. Kim and Diarmuid discuss how&nbsp;major sports like the NFL, NBA, and Formula 1 build deep connections with their audiences through stories &mdash; whether it&rsquo;s rivalries, underdog victories, or legendary performances.
In contrast, show jumping has all the talent, drama, and excitement, but not enough media coverage to tell those stories.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Parents take their kids to lessons, but they don&rsquo;t always understand where it leads. If we can make the sport more accessible &mdash; through interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and consistent coverage &mdash; we can build a stronger, more engaged fan base.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
The US Equestrian Open Podcast&nbsp;is here to change that. By following riders, horses, and competitions throughout the season, it aims to&nbsp;bridge the gap&nbsp;between the sport&rsquo;s elite and its growing audience.
<h2>Looking Ahead: What&rsquo;s Next on the Podcast?</h2>
Over the next few months, the US Equestrian Open Podcast will feature:
<ul>
<li>Interviews with top U.S. and international riders</li>
<li>Previews and reviews of major competitions</li>
<li>Behind-the-scenes insights into training and strategy</li>
<li>The road to the WEF 12 Championship Final</li>
</ul>
For fans, riders, and newcomers alike, this podcast is set to become a&nbsp;must-listen&nbsp;as it&nbsp;brings show jumping&rsquo;s biggest moments to life
<h2>Tune in &amp; Join the Journey</h2>
Catch the US Equestrian Open Podcast&nbsp;wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow along as we count down to&nbsp;one of the most exciting events in US show jumping!
<h3><a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/about-the-us-equestrian-open-series" target="_blank" rel="noopener">About the Series</a>:</h3>
Born from a commitment by the US Equestrian Board in July 2023, the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/about-the-us-equestrian-open-series" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Equestrian Open</a> aims to grow the sport's awareness, exposure, and fan engagement. With $1 million in prize money and extensive media coverage on ESPN and the USEF Network, this series is designed to:
<ul>
<li>Provide a structured, prestigious championship format.</li>
<li>Attract a broader audience.</li>
<li>Enhance competition opportunities for athletes.</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/26e65d0f-a32f-4632-a9b6-debbb809300c?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="List of the Participating Classes for the 2025 U.s. Equestrian Open of Jumping (3)">
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
&nbsp;
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;