One Big Thing: Area VII Eventing Trainer selected to ride in 2026 Gaucho Derby in Argentina
Ashleigh Rauen at the Spokane Sport Horse 11th Annual Fall HT. Photo from Spokane Sport Horse Farm.
Hailing from the small island town of Vashon-Mary in Washington, Area VII trainer Ashleigh Rauen of Ride in the Rain LLC is preparing for the ride of her life — one that will take her 500 kilometers through the wilderness of Patagonia, Argentina. The terrain she’ll race across in the 2026 Gaucho Derby will cover nearly every ecosystem, from fjords and glaciers to rainforests to deserts, with only a map and Garmin watch to guide her and the horses she’ll be paired with. While a less wilderness-inclined rider like you and I may see the words “Gaucho Derby” or “500 kilometers” and think “no, thank you”, Ashleigh sees this adventure as a chance to explore her three most treasured passions: horses, nature, and culture.
Outside of her riding, training, and sales horse business, Ashleigh has been counting down her Days to Derby as she prepares for this massive undertaking. With her South American departure coming up in a short 28 days, she has been spending her time packing and weighing and repacking her saddle bags, practicing assembling and disassembling her tent, bareback riding, foxhunting, practicing Spanish, taking Wilderness Navigation classes, and putting in hours at the gym and on hiking trails when time allows. Wishing her and her ponies smooth rides and dry socks as they embark!
U.S. Events Opening Entries Today
Full Gallop Farm Wednesday HT (SC); Rocking Horse Winter III HT (FL); Twin Rivers Winter HT (CA); Sporting Days Farm March HT II (SC)
U.S. Events Closing Entries Today
Galway Downs 2026 Kickoff HT (CA); Sporting Days Farm February HT II (SC); Three Lakes Winter I HT at Caudle Ranch (FL)
Other Links & Reading
Sponsor Corner: Kentucky Performance Products
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Mini-Classifieds
We’re kicking off 2026 with a new feature: mini-classifieds! If you have something to sell or promote, consider this your space to get right in front of an audience within your target market. Listings cost just $5, or you can purchase 3-5 days of mentions here in News & Notes at a bulk discount.
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Tuesday’s Classifieds
Training Tip of the Day
Struggling with flying changes? Here’s a lesson from Amelia Newcomb on a method she learned that changes the game:
Go Eventing
Is it cold out where you are? Well, it’s not for Laura Collett, who’s enjoying some sunny time down under teaching on her clinic tour through Australia and New Zealand!
