A Kentucky Diary – Equestrian Living

MY FIRST FIVE-STAR: A YOUNG RIDER’S EXPERIENCE AT KENTUCKY 2026

As instructed by Adeline Tullar

EQ Living invited 17-year-old Addie Tullar to signify the journal in Kentucky, and that is her report. An aspiring eventer herself, Addie grew up on the household farm and ends every college day with barn chores. Her dedication to using has earned her a spot on the USEF Young Riders Council.

When we first arrived at Kentucky Horse Park, I may hardly imagine I used to be really there. Walking throughout the well-known bridge previous the massive pond, seeing the water on the Head of the Lake—I had watched it on YouTube for years, and the fact of lastly being there was overwhelming. As we made our means deeper into the park and took within the stands, the enduring Bruce Davidson statue and the crowds submitting in, the feelings hit me abruptly.

Dressage Day

Thursday was dressage day, and I went in decided to soak up all the things I may. My coach, Jane Hamlin, who can be an FEI decide, had given me particular questions to contemplate—not simply whereas watching the exams, but in addition within the warm-up areas.

What struck me most was how every rider had developed a routine tailor-made to their horse’s temperament in that setting. You may inform by the transitions they practiced that riders have been centered on holding their horses’ consideration on them, not on the flags or the noise from the stands. Most of the horses have been remarkably centered and responsive, and I discovered myself interested by how a lot effort and time had gone into constructing that partnership—and what a bonus that belief could be on cross-country or within the stadium ring.

Even when a dressage check isn’t excellent or doesn’t earn one of the best rating, the trip units the tone for your entire weekend. It was exceptional to look at those self same disciplined horses the very subsequent day, coiled and able to bolt from the beginning field.

My sister was there working as knowledgeable groom, and it was a deal with to assist her within the barn early that morning and really feel the vitality of getting ready for the massive day. The work concerned in getting horses to the competitors space is big, and I liked seeing how the grooms seemed out for each other.

Walking the Course

The night time earlier than cross-country, we had the prospect to stroll the 5-star and many of the 4-star course, following alongside as riders accomplished their very own walk-throughs. I loved listening to opponents speak by means of the jumps collectively—evaluating terrain, measuring strides, and weighing choices—as a result of no two horses are going to strategy a fence the identical means.

Cross-Country Day

Before cross-country started, folks have been streaming in from each path. By the time we left the barn space, the sector was already packed. Looking down from the tailgating space, the open spectator sections have been utterly full, with chairs and picnics arrange across the Jumbotron. The vitality from the group and the announcers’ enthusiasm made it electrical.

We moved from leap to leap to trace completely different riders on the right track. For about an hour, we stayed in a single spot the place we may watch a mixture resulting in an enormous desk, then an extended gallop stretch right into a water mixture. Beyond the jumps themselves, it was fascinating to review rider place and the way otherwise horses carry themselves on the gallop.

Eventually we made our approach to the well-known Head of the Lake and stayed by means of a number of riders. Having walked the course the night time earlier than, we had tried to puzzle out the choices—and it was satisfying to see how they really performed out. Two homes set at an angle within the water left room to circle between them, and watching riders select their very own solutions to the query was one of many highlights of the weekend. It was the place you noticed the actual nitty-gritty.

The eventual winner, Will Coleman, was the smoothest by means of it. Others seemed like they have been merely using to outlive.

I couldn’t assist imagining what it will really feel wish to be on the market—and the way a lot belief I must place in my horse. I questioned if I may do it sometime.

The Teams Behind the Horses

One of the issues that stayed with me all weekend was how massive a crew surrounds every horse. You see it on the out-gates for dressage and stadium, however particularly on the cross-country end line, the place grooms instantly swing into motion. It was attention-grabbing to watch how otherwise riders got here by means of the end flags—some walked, some hopped off instantly, some saved cantering out into the again area. Others had their entire crew ready; others took a quiet second alone earlier than the crew moved in.

I spent a lot of the ultimate stretch of the 5-star division sitting with my sister on the vet field, watching horses end and benefiting from her operating commentary. The horses seemed genuinely joyful—some appeared able to maintain going—and it was reassuring to sense that they liked their job.

It was additionally merely enjoyable to be with my sister. I bought to listen to the ins and outs of barn life, and I felt proud watching folks acknowledge her. One night she obtained a textual content from a good friend asking her to braid a horse as a result of the good friend had fallen behind. That type of neighborhood among the many grooms was one thing I received’t overlook, particularly as I’m nonetheless determining what I need to do with my future.

Show Jumping

By the top of cross-country day, exhaustion was seen on everybody—and but they might all be again within the ring the subsequent day. Watching riders who competed on a number of horses, I discovered myself questioning how they handle it, and what sort of conditioning and psychological toughness it takes to compete on the 5-star degree. It is a real check of stamina for each horse and rider.

The stress of the ultimate day was palpable. The leaderboard may shift at any second, and when the leaders entered the ring, the packed stands went utterly silent—then erupted for each clear spherical. The climax of the weekend got here with the highest 10 finishers galloping across the enviornment, award ribbons streaming within the breeze whereas the group roared.

Isabelle Cook and Sharon White with the Spring 2026 concern of EQ Living.

To learn extra EQ articles about Kentucky, click on right here.

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