cooley space grey (astro)
2013, KWPN gelding (Harley VDL x Zaylanda x Silverstone)
Astro is my current Advanced/4* horse. At only 15.3hh he truly is my little pocket rocket. I bought him from Cooley Farm in 2019 as a 6-year-old. He was doing jumpers over in Ireland and hadn’t had any cross country experience until we brought him over to the States. Astro’s personality is quite unique as he is a very suspicious and spooky horse. He was bred to be a jumper, so he is very careful and cautious on course. You may notice that he isn’t one to brush through a fence and will often attempt to clear it on cross country. In some ways his carefulness is useful, I hardly ever have to touch his mouth or rebalance on course, and he does all three phases in a snaffle. Astro and I have formed a close partnership over the years and I’m so grateful for all places we’ve gone together.
horses
Cooley constellation (aries)
2017, ISH, gelding, (Tolan R x Beachball x O.B.O.S. Quality)
Aries also came from Cooley Farm in Ireland. I imported him as a 6 year old in 2023. He is very opposite from Astro; he has a big puppy dog personality and is quite large at 17hh. He is now going Modified and showing a lot of talent for the future. Aries likes to jump and can get a bit excited to get out on course. He is a brave boy and will give most things a try even if he isn’t quite sure about it at first. Aries loves people and attention and is known as a the “gentle giant” around the barn. I’m very excited for our future together and I really think that Aries will be an upper-level eventer one day.
Summer Fantasy (Summer)
2016, OTTB mare, (Freud x Warm Front x War Front)
Summer competed in The Retired Racehorse Project in 2021 where she finished in the top quarter of the eventing division. Summer is your typical nervous and hot thoroughbred mare. She tries really hard in all three phases. I’ve taken my time with her to accommodate her extremely sensitive nature. I don’t think she was treated very well on the track, so it’s taken me a long time to finally get her trust. It’s been rewarding to see her slowly begin to let her guard down around me. I always liked Summer’s willingness to please her rider. I plan to keep the ride on her and see how far she can go in eventing!
past champions
eternal hope (Hope)
2008, OTTB mare, (The Badger’s Comin x Unannounced x Announce)
Hope really is my “heart horse” I owe so much of my career to her. She is only 15.2hh but you’d never know it seeing her on cross country. She did not look like she was built to event, but she absolutely loved it and never let her conformation slow her down. Hope hated dressage and only saw it as a necessary evil to get to the jumping phases. One of my favorite memories with Hope was getting to do Young Rider Championships together at Rebecca Farm in Montana in 2017. Hope has a huge heart and I think that was what lead to a lot of our success. She now has two twin babies who are also chestnut mares on the ground.
Break away (benji)
1999, TB gelding, (Unfold x Festive Lily x Lithesome)
My mom rode Benji’s dam, Festive Lily through the Intermediate level. Benji was born the same year as me, my mom decided his name should start with a “B” to match mine. A few people had tried riding Benji, but no one had stuck with him as he would eventually buck most people off. When we were both 12 years old, I started riding Benji and he never tried to buck me off. I took Benji to the Training 3-Day at Hagyard in 2016 where we placed 10th. Benji was very special to me, and I always felt like he was meant to my horse. Unfortunately, he passed in the fall of 2021 but I’ll always be thankful for what he taught me.
Future Stars
