Competing a “Random” 4 Year Old Horse

In this video, I’m stepping way out of my comfort zone! Some of you may remember my amazing trip to Ireland last year, where I found my wonderful Wilma at Ardeo Sport Horses. Since then, I’ve kept in touch with Neil and Mel and even been lucky enough to visit and ride some of their incredible horses. When I mentioned I’d be back in Ireland for the Premier Performance store opening, I thought I’d be popping by their beautiful home for a relaxed ride. But little did I know… they had something else in mind entirely!

Turns out, I was entered into a full-on competition! And if that wasn’t enough of a shock, I was set to ride a four-year-old named Jake. With zero background info on the horse and only a last-minute dressage test to learn, I had no idea what to expect. When I got there, I found out we’d be doing full Eventing—with the twist that the cross-country phase would be on a surface! It was a quick introduction with Jake, and then we were straight down the centerline!

In this video, you’ll meet Jake, my new (and very young) competition partner for the day, and get a glimpse of the incredible Ardeo horses, Jackson and Murcho, who were also competing in their age classes. Can we pull it off under the pressure? Watch to see how Jake and I handle the challenges, from dressage to jumping, in this unexpected eventing adventure. And stay tuned for part two of this mini-series—let’s just say, the surprises didn’t end here!

For those of you considering a new equine partner, Ardeo Sport Horses is truly a gem in the industry—a family-run business dedicated to producing talented, well-rounded horses. All the horses you’ll see in this video, including Jake, are for sale, so reach out to Neil and Mel at Ardeo if you’re interested!

Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe to catch part two and more behind-the-scenes equestrian fun!