One Big Thing: Hallie Coon Wins at North Holland (Oudkarspel), Jenny Caras Makes History at Burnham Market
Our U.S. riders competing overseas don’t get quite the coverage that their continental compatriots, but let’s change that tune. Hallie Coon headed to North Holland Horse Trials in Oudkarspel and came away with plenty to celebrate, taking the CCI4*-S win with the 11-year-old KWPN gelding Kapriccio, owned by The Kapriccio Syndicate. This is a horse Hallie added to her string in 2025 after he had competed to the 4* level with Olympic rider for Zimbabwe Julie Norman. “Bruno” is newer to the level, but he’s already got a strong finish at Military Boekelo’s CCI4*-L under his belt and is one you’ll want to keep an eye on after finishing on his dressage score of 31.0 this weekend.
But that wasn’t all for Hallie this weekend! She was a busy gal, bringing four horses and finishing in the top 12 with all of them. Her own 10-year-old Lucky Fortuna and Bruce Fraser/Keith Norman’s 11-year-old Headley Quixote finished seventh and eighth, respectively, and Katherine Coleman’s ESI Baltic Breeze was 12th.
Making the weekend that much more special, back in the U.S. fellow pro rider Alexa Thompson announced the birth of Hallie’s first CCI5* horse, Celien’s, foal. Sired by Spy Coast Farm’s Chacco Blue stallion, Chaqui Z, this little filly (named Clear 2C Z or “Little C” in homage to her dam) is one that’s the manifestation of the bonds we make in this sport.
Full results from North Holland can be found here.
Jenny Caras, meanwhile, enjoyed a great weekend at Burnham Market’s CCI3*-S, taking the first-ever U.S. win at the venue with Jerry Hollis’ Sommersby on their dressage score of 26.9. Both Jenny and Hallie are on the USEF radar for the USEF Eventing Development Program and took part in trainings with U.S. coach Leslie Law over the winter. This being Sommersby’s first bigger run of the season puts Jenny onto a great springboard for her next stop.
“I’m super happy with Sommersby,” said Jenny. “He was very consistent in all three phases. He was so workmanlike and very professional all the way through the weekend. I really couldn’t have asked much more from him to be honest. He just went out there and did his best in all three phases and was really happy to take home the win. It’s quite special to be the first American winner of Burnham Market. Being able to come here and support the event is amazing and to take home that title is incredible.”
Full results from Burnham Market can be found here.
A note for you: All week, we’ll be leading off our News & Notes columns with the latest from Defender Kentucky, including what’s on tap for each day and a quick look at our coverage, activities happening on site and more. We can’t wait to be with you for the #BestWeekendAllYear!
Major International Results
Adelaide Equestrian Festival CCI5* & Oceania Championships (AUS): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays] [EN’s Coverage]
Burnham Market CCI4*-S (GBR): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]
Oudkarspel North Holland HT CCI4*-S (NED): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]
Ocala International Festival of Eventing CCI4*-S (FL): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]
Fair Hill International April HT CCI4*-S (MD): [Website] [Scores]
US Weekend Results
Sporting Days Farm April HT IV (SC): [Website] [Scores]
River Glen Spring HT (TN): [Website] [Scores]
Redefined Equestrian HT (CO): [Website] [Scores]
Other Links & Reading
Training Tip of the Day
Interested in connecting with your horse? Horsemanship instructor Josh Nichols has some advice to think on:
Go Eventing
Celebrate 70 years of broadcast at Badminton Horse Trials — a great look at how far our sport has come in many ways:
