Greya is the 2025 USEF International Horse of the Year

Greya, Kent Farrington, LLC's 2014 Oldenburg mare, was voted 2025 International Horse of the Year by the USEF membership.

With her incredible technique and trademark tenacity, Greya (Colestus x Contender) has solidified herself as one of the most consistent and accomplished mares, not just in Kent Farrington’s string, but in the entire world. Greya played a monumental role in Farrington’s journey to world number one this year and displayed her winning mentality and unrelenting athleticism in the ring.  

A formidable partnership

Together, the pair were nearly unstoppable in top international competition, securing seven FEI Grand Prix CSI5* wins just in 2025 alone. The pair finished inside the top 12 on more than 15 different occasions in FEI competition in 2025 and look to be far from peaking in their partnership, with Greya just turning eleven this year. The pair made their mark with wins in some of the world’s most prestigious events, including the American Gold Gup CSI5*, Kentucky Invitational CSI5*, and Geneva CSI5* to conclude their season.  

Greya continues to set the standard for top international 5* jumping horses and has solidified herself as one of the top horses in history with her record-breaking performances in 2025. 

Quarter Horse mare is named 2025 National Horse of the Year

Athenian Lady, Amanda Delgado's 2009 Quarter Horse mare, was voted the 2025 National Horse of the Year by the USEF membership.

No one expects to find a future world champion in a pasture littered with horse skeletons, but that’s what happened to horse rescue volunteer Amanda Delgado in 2015. Abandoned, starved, and distrustful of humans, the mare who would come to be known as Athenian Lady showed a resilience and spirit that could not be broken, despite all she had been through. Initially deemed aggressive and unadoptable, Delgado wasn’t ready to give up on her. Their partnership began with a long, patient journey of building trust and love. 

From rescue case to western dressage champion

By 2019, “Athena” had fully transformed from an abandoned rescue case into a champion in the western dressage arena. She earned her first world champion titles that year at the Pinto World Championship Show and has continued to be a success and inspiration ever since. In 2025, she earned three world championships and three reserve world champion titles at the WDAA World Show. In her career, she has earned three USEF Horse of the Year awards in western dressage and has garnered numerous WDAA high score awards. 

This is an edited US Equestrian press release.

Photo credit: Stefan Lafrentz