U.S. eventing is represented well at this year’s 2025 SmartPak/USEF Horses of the Year and USEF Equestrians of the Year! First up, Lauren Nicholson’s 4*-winning partner, Larcot Z (owned by Ms. Jacqueline Mars) is up for the honor of International Horse of the Year. The 2025 season was a landmark year for the duo, featuring podium finishes at six events, including two CCI4* victories. They opened the season with a strong sixth-place finish in the CCI3*-S at the Tryon International Three-Day Event, followed by a commanding win in the CCI4*-L at MARS Bromont in June. Their momentum continued at the Nations Cup in Arville, Belgium, where they triumphed against a field of 103 starters, showcasing remarkable athleticism and consistency. Their performance was pivotal in securing the Defender U.S. Eventing Team’s silver medal. Throughout the season, Larcot Z and Nicholson delivered clear rounds at three FEI CCI3* and CCI4* international events.
Larcot Z is up against two top show jumpers in Kent Farrington’s Greya and Laura Kraut’s Bisquetta.
Boyd Martin is in the running for International Equestrian of the Year thanks to a banner year of results. Boyd concluded another strong and consistent campaign in 2025, earning top five finishes in 24 FEI events aboard a string of 13 different horses. He finished all three entries inside of the top ten at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, including a second-place finish aboard Commando 3. The pair returned on the same form later in the year to notch a third-place finish in the MARS Maryland Five Star CCI5*-L. He then took his talents overseas to finish third in the Pau CCI5*-L, this time aboard Cooley Nutcracker, demonstrating incredible consistency and poise at the top international events in the world. Boyd also topped the inaugural US Equestrian Eventing Open Final aboard Miks Master C, at Morven Park, marking his seventh international win of the season.
Voting will run through 11:59 p.m. ET on December 31, 2025. The USEF International and National Equestrians of the Year will be named on Thursday, January 15, 2026, during the Pegasus Awards Dinner at the 2026 US Equestrian Annual Meeting in Louisville, Ky. The International and National Horses of the Year will be named on January 17, 2026, at the SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year Awards Dinner.
U.S. Events Opening Entries Today
Galway Downs Kickoff H.T. (CA); Sporting Days Farm February II H.T. (SC); Three Lakes Winter I at Caudle Ranch (FL)
U.S. Events Closing Entries Today
Sporting Days January I H.T. (SC)
News & Reading
Applications are now open for the 2026 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover! This annual competition is held in October at the Kentucky Horse Park and brings together hundreds of re-trained racehorses across a wide range of disciplines. From liberty work to eventing to field hunting and dressage, there is truly an avenue for every Thoroughbred to thrive in, and the Makeover is the competition to be at if you’re a producer of these versatile horses. For more information on the application process, click here.
Many topics were forefront at this past weekend’s USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, with conversations centering around welfare and safety featured in a Chronicle of the Horse recap. Attendees heard from safety officials on the latest statistics (spoiler: horse falls are still trending way down, and the numbers are substantial), a new safety device that is moving forward for approval for use on cross country courses, and fundraising continues to earn a $250,000 matching grant from the Manton Foundation. Several board members also spoke on the ongoing conversation around horse welfare. You can read the full recap here.
This one’s worth a listen! On the most recent edition of the USEA Podcast, leading veterinary clinician Dr. Cris Navas and 5* rider Jennie Brannigan unpack six years of groundbreaking work on arrhythmias, fitness tracking and performance monitoring. Many top riders have enlisted the expertise of Dr. Navas, including Jennie as well as Will Coleman, and the benefits of data informing your training can be easily identified. Listen to this deep dive here.
Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products
Photo by Jimmie Schramm.
Cold weather has a way of turning “a little stiff” into “oof, I’d rather not,” especially for arthritic horses. Winter can thicken joint fluid, reduce movement, and make every first step out of the stall feel like a negotiation—so lean into the basics: consistent low-impact exercise, extra-long warm-ups, safe footing, smart weight management, and nutrition that supports comfort from the inside out.
Kentucky Performance Products makes it easier to cover those bases. For daily joint support, Joint Armor™ delivers key ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid to help maintain healthy cartilage and synovial fluid—supporting flexibility whether your horse is a young athlete or a seasoned pro. Pair that with omega-3 support like Contribute™ for senior horses dealing with “inflamm-aging,” and keep hoof health on track with Ker-A-Form™ so your horse can stay moving comfortably all winter long.
Want more tips on caring for an arthritic or older horse in the cold? Click here for more.
Video Break
Pick up a new mustang with Elisa Wallace:
