Every polished ride you see in the arena is backed by years—sometimes decades—of grit, sacrifice, and unwavering passion. Behind the ribbons and rosettes are the late nights, the heartbreaks, the endless repetitions, and the sheer love for the sport that keeps riders pushing forward.
That’s what this new blog series, “The Road to Greatness,” is all about.
Each week, we’ll spotlight one powerful theme from the lives of our sponsored riders—exploring the mental resilience, teamwork, physical dedication, and financial realities that define what it means to chase excellence in equestrian sport.
This isn’t just about what happens inside the arena. It’s about the village behind every victory—the trainers, grooms, families, and horses who make it all possible.
Rebecca Hart: Finding Strength Through Horses
“I remember the exact moment,” says 5 Time-Paralympian Rebecca Hart.
“As a kid, I struggled with my disability—I hadn’t yet embraced that being unique could be a strength. I tried everything: ballet, soccer, swimming. But I always felt like the odd one out.”
That changed the day her dad let her go on a pony ride while on vacation. “The second I sat on that pony, I knew I’d found my niche. The pony didn’t care that my legs didn’t work—I’d finally found something I could do and do well. Horses don’t judge you; if you treat them well and learn their language, they’ll work for you. From that moment, I knew this was my life’s passion.”
Sarah Tubman: A Lifelong Mission
“Horses have been part of my life since before I could walk,” says Pan Am Medalist, Sarah Tubman.
“At ten years old, I looked at my trainer and said, ‘I want to be a horse trainer—and I want to go to the Olympics.’ That wasn’t just a childhood dream; it was a mission.”
From then on, every choice was driven by that goal—sleeping in tents to afford lessons, working student jobs, and countless hours in the saddle.
“The defining moment wasn’t just ambition—it was realizing how much joy I felt training and competing. There’s nothing else I’ve ever wanted to do.”
Susie Dutta: Born to Compete
“I’ve been a competitor since birth,” says US Nations Cup rider Susie Dutta.
“I was on the swim team at four years old—setting my alarm and waiting outside for my ride to practice before sunrise.”
Her first pony, Trigger, changed everything. “He could do it all—western pleasure, jumping, barrel racing—and he was a 4-H champion. While I was at the stable, I’d watch the event riders preparing for competition, and I remember thinking, I want to be them.”
By 13, Susie was eventing across the country and eventually turned her focus to dressage. “When I got my first Grand Prix horse, Maple Magnum, everything clicked. He was my professor, my best decision ever—and the reason I knew this was my lifetime sport.”
Rebecca Rigdon: Magic in Motion
“I realized I wanted to pursue equestrian sports when my mom let me ride her Grand Prix horse, Caesar’s Mantle,” says Rebecca Rigdon, International Grand Prix dressage rider.
“He was an 18-hand Thoroughbred she’d trained herself, and I was only ten.”
She laughs, remembering: “My mom said I could ride him once I could get on from the ground. So I lengthened the stirrup, scrambled up, and suddenly—I was doing flying changes, tempis, pirouettes.
He wasn’t on the bit, but he let me feel it all. It was pure magic to my child heart. My mom still laughs about my little socks with pompoms bouncing as he took care of me that day. I’ll never forget it.”
Laura DeCesari: Inspired by Greatness
“When I was 13, I started my first horse on my own, using only horsemanship videos as my guide,” recalls Laura DeCesari, International Grand Prix dressage rider. “
That experience gave me confidence—and lit a fire in me.”
Years later, she watched Steffen Peters perform his freestyle at Del Mar. “In that moment, I knew exactly what I wanted: to compete at the highest level of our sport.
Thank you, Steffen, for showing me what’s possible.”
Kim Kulesa: The Moment Dressage Chose Me
“My passion for dressage began when I was nine,” recalls Grand Prix dressage rider, Kim Kulesa. “I had the chance to feel the passage on an older FEI horse, and I’ll never forget that moment.”
Watching top riders warm up at major shows in the U.S. and Germany only fueled her desire. “Seeing their connection, precision, and harmony—I knew I wanted to reach that level.”
That drive led Kim to train with top professionals, compete in Europe, and represent the U.S. at the North American Young Rider Championships.
“From that point on, I’ve never looked back.”
Molly Maloney: A Dream Takes Shape
“I’ve loved dressage for as long as I can remember,” says Molly Maloney, Grand Prix dressage rider.
“When I was 19, I took part in the Dressage Foundation’s Olympic Dream Program, touring elite European barns and watching their training systems up close.
That trip changed everything—it showed me the discipline, artistry, and excellence required at the top. That’s when I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to this sport.”
Jennifer Williams: A Growing Flame
“For me, it wasn’t a single moment—it was a steady realization,” says US Nations Cup rider, Jennifer Williams.
“I’d always loved riding, but when I had my first horse, a half-Arabian named Miss Scarlett, something shifted. She found rhythm and cadence in her trot, and I felt something ignite inside me.
That’s when I knew I wanted to go all in—not just to chase a dream, but to devote my life to discovering what’s possible when you truly partner with a horse.”
Each of these stories shares one thing in common: the moment a spark became a lifelong pursuit.
Whether it was a single ride, a mentor’s influence, or a deep connection with a horse, these defining moments shaped not just athletes—but ambassadors of heart, harmony, and hard work.