Regardless of where we are in the sport or what happens in the world, we will aways appreciate a rider who acknowledges their imperfections and provides a beautifully honest dialogue on integrity and transparency. Since we couldn’t say it better, here’s Hannah Sue Hollberg’s letter to the world.
“There is nothing I regret more than the times I have acted out of anger towards a horse. I have always struggled (especially when I was young) to handle the pressure I created to win in an attempt to prove that I am worth my owners/parents/trainers/grooms’ investments in me and my career. But anytime I have been sharp with a horse and realized I (once again) set unrealistic expectations, it burned a hole in my heart. The conflict between my two selves: who I thought I was/wanted to be with my horses and how I actually behaved day to day wasn’t lining up.
The wins felt worse than losses. I would win the event but lose my integrity in the process.
So I quietly decided to see if I could find my own way to consistently treat horses with the kindness and respect they all deserve amid the pressures of competition.
My inner dialogue changed from: how can I get this horse to the other side of this ditch asap TO: in this moment, how can I make my horse feel safe so next time, he looks to me when he is afraid or unsure? Where in my life can I be more thoughtful and curious instead of immediately judgmental? What do I need to take responsibility for when a horse or human reacts in an unexpected way towards me?
Becoming a trustworthy teammate is my lifelong pursuit and I don’t always get it right. Thank you to everyone who helps to hold me accountable when I’m out of alignment.
I have found, there is nothing more fulfilling in this life than when your horse knows he can trust who. you. are.”
U.S. Events This Weekend
Rocking Horse December H.T. (FL): [Website] [Entries/Times] [Scores] [Volunteer]
Full Gallop Farm Jingle Bells H.T. (SC): [Website] [Entries/Times] [Volunteer]
News & Reading
We’d love your help shaping Season 2 of The Go Eventing Podcast! Take our quick listener survey here and let us know what you want more of in 2026!
USEF announces updates to their 2026 High Performance Eventing Program participants, where (surprise!) Boyd continues to dominate the Elite program. Will Coleman and Sydney Elliot round out the featured combinations, and we see new additions to the Pre-Elite, Development, and Developing 25 lists as well.
Did you have the pleasure of partnering with your own “loveable weirdo” in the past? This piece from the Plaid Horse reflects our own inner dialogue when navigating new equine partners after riding the quirky, the opinionated, or the ones that helped us truly grow.
Sponsor Corner: Stable View
Photo courtesy of Stable View.
The Stable View Foundation is committed to making a positive impact in Aiken and just announced the release of the official guidelines for its 2025 Grant charity selection process. These guidelines will govern the selection of deserving charities that primarily focus on children and families and the organizations that work to create a brighter future for them.
Stable View Foundation invites applications from charities operating in the Aiken, South Carolina community that primarily focus on addressing the needs and challenges faced by children and families. This includes initiatives related to education, healthcare, childcare, family support services, mental health, and other areas crucial to their well-being.
You can download the grant application for submission to the Stable View Foundation here.
The application period will commence on December 4, 2025, and close on December 31, 2025. Selections will be notified by February 2, 2026.
Video Break
India left the 2025 FEI Asian Equestrian Championships with a historic medal haul — five medals in total across Eventing and Dressage and earning Team Silver in both disciplines. It was their own Ashish Limaye on Willy Be Dun who won the individual gold, ending their 43-year championship drought in eventing, and bringing everyone to tears with his emotional reaction to the victory. You can watch each phase of his rides below.
