Eventing Highlights, Emerging Talent 2025

The 2025 eventing season was a landmark year for the United States, defined by the rise of a new domestic championship structure and a historic achievement for one of its most celebrated veterans - Boyd Martin. From the rolling hills of Kentucky to the technical tracks of Maryland, American riders showcased a depth of talent that has set a high bar for the 2026 World Championships cycle.

Several of the defining highlights of U.S. eventing in 2025 belong to Boyd Martin. Find out more about his success HERE on ClipMyHorse.TV, including rising to the No. 1 spot in the FEI Eventing World Rankings.

The Inaugural U.S. Equestrian Open

A new championship that had been in the works came to fruition in 2025 with the launch of the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final, a new high-stakes league designed to foster top-level competition on American soil. Boyd Martin won the inaugural event with Miks Master C at Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Leesburg, Virginia.

Young talent was next in line, with Molly Duda clinching the U25 CCI4* National Championship following a breakout season.

International Success: The Silver at Aachen

In July, the Defender U.S. Eventing Team proved they could go hoof-to-hoof with the world's best on European turf. Competing in the CCIO4*-S at CHIO Aachen, in Germany, the team consisting of Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Will Coleman, and Caroline Pamukcu secured a silver medal.

Will Coleman and the 16-year-old (turning 17 January 1, 2026) Irish Sport Horse gelding Off the Record finished fourth individually.

Coleman enjoyed a successful year with the Off the Record (known as "Timmy"), winning the CCI4*-S at Defender Kentucky for the second consecutive year.

While the veterans held their ground, 2025 was a year of stepping up for several rising stars:

• Caroline Pamukcu: Continuing her momentum from the Paris Olympics, Pamukcu dominated the CCI2* level with her string of "HSH" horses, capturing the USEF National Championship in that division.
• Isabelle Bosley: In a stunning home-turf victory, the Maryland native led the Maryland 3*-L from start to finish with her gelding, Conner, marking her first major international win.
• Meg Pellegrini: Named the 2025 USEA Young Rider of the Year, Pellegrini showed remarkable consistency across nine CCI3* starts, signaling her readiness for the five-star level. She earned both the Amateur and U25 USEF CCI3* National Championships at Morven Park International. Pellegrini completed nine CCI3* starts in 2025, never finishing outside the top eight. Her standout partner, Falcon Crown Z, helped her secure three podium finishes, including a wire-to-wire win on a score of 27.7.

Young Rider Championship Stars (Loch Moy Farm)

The USEF Eventing Young Rider National Championships at Maryland International served as the ultimate proving ground for the "next-next" generation:

• Maya Clarkson: Riding Maks Mojo C (13-year-old Hanoverian gelding), Clarkson took home individual gold in the CCI3*-S U25 division. She moved up from third after dressage with a masterful cross-country performance, finishing as the only rider in her division to jump double-clear.
• Kate Bell: In the CCI2*-YJ-S, Bell claimed individual gold with FE Velvet Black. The win was particularly emotional as Bell has developed the horse herself since he was five years old.

2026 Development 25 Program

The USEF also announced the athletes selected for the 2026 Development 25 Program (formerly the Emerging Athlete Program), who will receive specialized coaching and a pathway toward future team selection.

Key 2026 D25 Athletes to Watch:

In addition to Duda, Pellegrini, the following athletes were named to the Development 25 Program for 2026:

• Olivia Dutton: Daughter of Olympian Phillip Dutton, Olivia has stepped out of the shadow, making a name for herself with several top-ten finishes at the 3* level.
• Lizzie Hoff: A West Coast standout who has successfully transitioned to East Coast competition.
• Jack Curtis: Recognized for his technical show jumping and rising status in the CCI3* ranks.
• Quidley Kellermann & Gabriella Ringer: Both identified as high-potential athletes following strong performances in the 2025 Young Rider Championships.
• Jordan Riske and Elsa Warble are also part of the program.

Young Horse Development

Development isn't just about riders; it’s about the horses. Caroline Pamukcu captured the CCI2* National Championship with a string of up-and-coming talents like HSH Afterglow and HSH Sebastian. Her ability to produce world-class horses from scratch continues to provide the U.S. with a vital horsepower pipeline for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Photo: Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake, 2024 Paris Summer Olympics

Photo courtesy of: sportfotos-laftentz.de/Stefan Lafrentz