United States Eventing Association

It was a busy weekend at the Ocala Summer H.T. and Area Championships, held May 31-June 1, as 13 Area III Championship divisions ran alongside the normal horse trial levels at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, Florida. We caught up with some of this year’s champions below!

Intermediate Champions: Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis & Splash Dance | 40.2

Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis, Apopka, Florida, loves purchasing her horses directly from their breeders and producing them through their careers.

“Bringing them along with the people who we owe it to for such nice horses, like ‘Splash,’ is extra rewarding,” she noted, referencing her Intermediate Champion mount Splash Dance (Stiletto PGE x Sue’s Dancer). The 11-year-old Trakehner mare just moved up to the four-star level last fall.

“With her exceptional talent, I just need to make sure I do her justice,” she said.

In addition to her own personal competition endeavors, the weekend at the Florida Horse Park was super busy for Jarnstrom-Dennis who also had a USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) team participating in the IEL Team Challenge that took place during the event. Their Class Act Farm Eventing team made their IEL debut and won that division as well, making it a successful weekend for their group overall.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my girls and their horses,” she noted. “I’m very excited about the USEA IEL program which provides our young up-and-coming event riders the opportunity to compete as a unified team.”

Jarnstrom-Dennis said, “the camaraderie and community of Area III coming together and doing what we love,” was her favorite moment from the weekend overall.

“A huge thanks to Emily Holmes, Tracy Olesh, and all the volunteers for organizing such an amazing event. It was a really special weekend,” she added.

Preliminary Champions: Kyle Carter & Reddy For Raine | 26.7

Kyle Carter, Ocala, Florida, rode Isabel Franklin’s Reddy For Raine to the top of the Preliminary championship, adding just 1.2 cross-country time penalties to their dressage score. The 11-year-old Trakehner mare (Oskar II x Raven Riley) moved up to Preliminary last year with Carter in the irons.

Modified Champions: Cindy Rawson & Fourfields Classek | 32.3

When Cindy Rawson purchased Fourfields Classek (Classe VDL x Agent M) 18 months ago, the now 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse had only competed up to the Novice level, but Rawson and “Billy” have quickly formed a strong partnership that has allowed them to advance through the levels quite quickly.

“He just did his first Preliminary a few weeks ago and has been a real superstar,” reflected Rawson, Citra, Florida. “As of yet, we have never had a show jump down in competition— hope that doesn’t jinx us!”

It’s been a great year so far for the duo, who outside of withdrawing at one competition, have won every event but their Preliminary debut, where they placed second. In addition to being a talented competition partner, Rawson describes Billy as quite the ham.

“He's a big character who loves being the center of attention at competitions,” she said. “He is firmly of the opinion that my husband Scott's sole purpose in life is to be Billy's treat dispenser.”

This is the duo’s second year in a row winning at the Area III Championships, and Rawson hopes to make it a tradition.

“Billy won the Area III Training Championship last year, so we're thrilled to win the Modified this year. We hope to make it three in a row next year in the Preliminary!” she said.

Junior Training Rider Champions: Kaitlyn Cobey & Redfield Need For Speed | 24.4

Kaitlyn Cobey, Acworth, Georgia, topped the Junior Training Rider championship with her own 7-year-old warmblood gelding Redfield Need For Speed (Gasphar x Evita). They led the division from start to finish and added no penalties to their impressive dressage score.

This was Cobey and “Maverick’s” second Area III Championships, and they earned a personal best dressage score.

Cobey’s had the gelding for about a year. “Maverick is a great eventing horse who excels in every phase,” she said. “As a pair, we have been working on confidence in the show jumping ring. My favorite part of the weekend would have to be the victory gallop; to be able to come off the course knowing you just won your division and being able to show off yourself and your horse to the crowds. Being able to participate in the victory gallop also proves to myself that all the hard work is paying off. The win was even sweeter knowing that Maverick was the youngest horse competing in his division.”

Cobey thanked her trainer, Lauren New, and her barn teammates for their support.

Senior Training Rider Champions: Emily Dender & Starspangled | 38.7

Emily Dender’s partnership with her 7-year-old Thoroughbred mare Starspangled (National Anthem x Ibella) began in 2024, and the pair have continued to build on their year-long relationship since. They earned their second win at the Training level together this past weekend at the Area III Championships in the Senior Training Rider division.

Their dressage score of 34.7 had them starting the weekend tied for third, but a double-clear cross-country performance would move them up to second. They added just one rail in show jumping to their score to win the division on 38.7.

“‘Cali’ and I had a memorable weekend at Area III championships,” said Dender, Morriston, Florida. “She was such a partner throughout the whole weekend, and I truly enjoyed every phase with her. Winning our division was such an accomplishment. I’m so lucky to have such a talented mare and amazing people in our corner to support us!”

Training Horse Champions: Candace Elizabeth Bell & Shmick | 20.3

Former USEA Young Event Horse 5-year-old champion Shmick made a big impression with his new rider, Candace Elizabeth Bell, leading the Training Horse division from start to finish, more than 8 points ahead of his nearest competitor.

The 7-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Luigi d’Eclipse x Winter Lady) is owned by Nell Wade.

“I am thrilled to end our weekend on such a high note!” said Bell, Ocala, Florida. “To finish on dressage is always the goal, and it was an incredible feeling to start our jumping so solidly positioned to place well.”

Shmick was a fun Christmas present when he arrived at Bell’s farm from his former rider, Boyd Martin.

“His paddock is outside my window, so his face greets me first thing every morning,” said Bell. “It’s a wonderful start to the day, and each day we click together a little more. A particular show highlight was getting a 9 on harmony [on his dressage test].”

Bell hopes to take the gelding to a Modified next, with the goal of a CCI1* in the fall.

Junior Novice Rider Champions: Penelope Young & Cedric | 27.5

When Penelope Young first met the Warmblood gelding Cedric (Numero Uno x Lundiroodnoot) in October of last year, he wasn’t exactly in competition form.

“He came to me a scraggly, furry mess,” said Young, Tallahassee, Florida. “It has been a hard journey basically re-training all his skills, but I have enjoyed every step. He has the best personality of any horse I have ever met. He loves attention and is very gentle and sweet.”

The pair had their first USEA outing together in November of 2024 at the Beginner Novice level and worked their way up to Novice at the start of the new year. Top 5 finishes are not an oddity for this duo, but this was their first win together. It was a busy weekend for Young, who not only was competing Cedric in the Junior Novice Rider Championship but also had another horse in the Novice Rider horse trial division. Ending the weekend with both of her horses sporting a blue ribbon was an unexpected surprise.

“My weekend was very busy yet so much fun,” she shared. “I really enjoyed having two horses in the competition. Although I never expected both of them to win, so that was a shock to me. I'm still overjoyed.”

In terms of her win with Cedric, one moment stood out to the young rider.

“My favorite part of the weekend was definitely our victory gallop. It felt like in that moment all of our combined hard work had paid off. I couldn't stop smiling,” she said.

Novice Horse Champions: Elliot Timmons & Pertinacious Tiz | 27.8

“Our weekend could not have been more perfect,” said Elliot Timmons, Summerfield, Florida, on his performance with his 7-year-old Thoroughbred mare Pertinacious Tiz (Decleration of War x TizJeweled) in the Area III Novice Horse Championship. Timmons sourced “Tiz” sight unseen from the racetrack in August of 2023 after her final race. After a few months of downtime, the duo got some foundational groundwork underway before beginning their preparation for the Retired Racehorse Project’s (RRP) Thoroughbred Makeover.

“She spent the year learning to event all with the goal of being competitive at the RRP,” noted Timmons. They were successful in that goal, finishing fourth overall in the dressage competition and eighth in the eventing. Following the Makeover, they spent the winter focusing on the basics with the goal of a smooth move-up to Training level later this season in mind.

This past weekend’s win at the Championship was their first victory together. They had a blast together at the Florida Horse Park and are hoping to have just as much fun at the Area III Championships next year as well.

“I really appreciated, and I think Tiz did too, the show jumping being last,” Timmons shared. “We don’t get the opportunity to do that too much these days, and it was so fun being part of a victory gallop. Being able to lead it was icing on the cake!"

Senior Novice Rider Champions: Margaret Schneck & Islandwood Border Patrol | 28.9

When Margaret Schneck’s normal ride and her husband, Charlmers Poston, were both sidelined with an injury, Shneck took over the reins on Poston's 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Islandwood Border Patrol (Ricardo Z x Cosmo Girl) early last year.

“We’ve had ‘Hardy’ since he was 5,” she said, “Although I have ridden Hardy often during the years, he is actually my husband’s horse that I took over competing this past year. He is a great partner as he is adaptable to everything you ask him to do whether it be eventing, dressage, jumpers, or fox hunting. He is dependable and consistent and will always try his best and give you his all.”

The pair won their first outing together in January of 2024 and have had nothing but success together since. Placing outside of the top 5 is a rarity for this dynamic duo, and they had no problem taking the early lead in the Area III Senior Novice Rider Championship and winning the division on their dressage score of 28.9.

Schneck, Charleston, South Carolina, called the weekend “absolutely amazing. From start to finish everything just seemed aligned and in sync, and we had such a great time,” she stated.

It was their first time competing at the Florida Horse Park, and Schneck thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“I thought the event was extremely well run and organized by the event organizers and the Area III coordinators, and I liked the layout of the park and the amenities. Everyone was so helpful and friendly, and it was truly a fantastic weekend.”

Beginner Novice Horse Champions: Merrel Waggoner & Big Bear's Coeur D'un Aigle | 26.8

Two years ago, Merrel Waggoner took on her first unstarted 3-year-old when she purchased the Connemara mare Big Bear’s Coeur D’un Aigle. With some help from her aunt, Waggoner and “Willow” made their USEA debut in March of this year.

“It’s been such a fun and rewarding process,” she noted. This weekend at the Area III Championships was Willow’s third Beginner Novice horse trial and second USEA recognized appearance, but the young horse tackled the weekend in stride.

“Willow and I had a personal best in dressage this weekend starting with a 26.8 and then she went out and was very green on cross-country,” Waggoner, Jackson, Georgia, noted. “I had to work really hard around the course, but she went clear. She came on Sunday jumping incredibly and just went in and showed up, jumping a double clear.”

Seeing the big smiles on her family and coach’s face at the end of her double-clear show jumping round was a huge highlight for Waggoner as she realized she just won her division with a horse she has brought along herself. She credited her aunt’s and coach Nicky Buckingham’s support for making this win possible and expressed her gratitude for all the show staff and volunteers who contributed to the event.

Junior Beginner Novice Rider Champions: Raegan Hornfeck & Legendary Spots | 31.7

Raegan Hornfeck, Alpharetta, Georgia, made her first ever trip to the Florida Horse Park this past weekend to compete in the Area III Junior Beginner Novice Rider Championship with Halliea Milner’s 10-year-old Pony of the Americas gelding Legendary Sports. “Legend,” as he is known around the Go With It Farm barn, is a former rescue pony turned event horse that Hornfeck has known and loved for many years.

“Legend competed in his first USEA horse trial back in January of 2024 and has exceeded every expectation since then,” said the young rider. “He has been such a wonderful partner, and we have had the opportunity to go to multiple championships together, bringing home the 2024 USEA Area III Junior Beginner Novice Rider Reserve Champion title, 10th at the [USEA] American Eventing Championships in 2024, fourth place at the 2024 [USEA] IEL Championship, reserve champions at the IEL Championship this year, and now finally the Champion title at the 2025 Area III Championship!”

Hornfeck noted that this win was extremely special to her, as she has become “best friends” with Legend throughout their partnership. She especially loved going through the finish flags in show jumping, as she realized that thanks to their partnership, they had accomplished a major goal she had set for them at the beginning of the season.

“The victory gallop was surreal as Legend got to lead the way around the arena and all our hard work came together!” she said.

Hornfeck wanted to extend her deepest gratitude to her trainer, Milner, and her Go With It Farm barn family for supporting her every step of the way.

Senior Beginner Novice Rider Champions: Becky Harris & Cassouleto | 24.7

Becky Harris, Crystal River, Florida, led the Senior Beginner Novice Rider championship from start to finish on her own 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Cassouleto (by Cassoulet).

Starter Rider Champions: Cathy Rotola & BKP Nick Of Time

“Our partnership is amazing, and ‘Nick’ is my best friend,” said Cathy Rotola of her 15-year-old Quarter Horse gelding of unrecorded breeding, BKP Nick of Time. Rotola is Nick’s sole caretaker, and the pair spend many hours together both at home and away.

“We do many disciplines which makes us both well rounded,” she reflected. She purchased Nick as a 6-year-old and they have spent the length of their long partnership growing and overcoming things together.

“He had very little training and lots of baggage,” she noted. “Now, years later, we are the Area III Starter champions!”

Rotola, Floral City, Florida, described the weekend as “perfect.”

“All our work fell into place at the right time,” she said. “The weather was questionable, and we were ready to withdraw if it was blistering hot, but that wasn't the case. It was breezy and temperate. We had a great dressage test, and the cross-country was our best ever. On Sunday we cruised through the stadium course and, even though it wasn't pretty, we went double clear for the win!”

While Rotola loved the opportunity to lead the victory gallop for the first time ever, another moment stood out as poignant from their competition weekend.

“The second best part was riding amongst so many incredibly talented teams,” she said. “Eventing isn't easy, and I applaud them all. It's been a dream year, and we look forward to many more!”

For full results, click here.