I am a 17 yr old jumpseat rider from Sarasota, Florida focusing on the 3’6” Equitation and the Junior Jumpers. I train with Wendy and Ezequiel Peralta at Seabreeze Farm in the eq, jumpers and derbies and Stacia Madden at Beacon Hill for the equitation at the major shows. I have been competing since the age of 7 starting in AQHA winning top 10 placings in Horsemanship, Trail and Ranch Riding at top shows such as the AQHA Congress, Gold Coast and Novice Championships. In 2016, I switched disciplines to compete in the H/J A-circuit and it has been my passion ever since. As a 3’6” equitation rider, I have competed at USEF Medal Finals, Capital Challenge and Maclay Finals. I have had many WIHS, Medal and Maclay wins throughout my eq career including ones at competitive shows such as Wellington, Tryon and WEC Ocala. As a junior jumper, I jumped clear and won Team Gold at USHJA Zone Jr Jumper Finals and went double clear and 4th at WIHS Children’s Jumper Final. I have many classic wins and have been champion in the jumpers at major shows such as WEF, WEC and Tryon. I love competing in derbies when I can and have many Top 10 at USHJA National Hunter Derbies.
My family has owned Dragonfly Farm in Sarasota, Florida for the last 20 years, where my mother and I focus mainly on foundational training for recent imports and sales. We also have an Equine-Assisted Learning program at our farm that I help with when I can. When not at shows I ride multiple horses at home and with my trainers at Seabreeze. My entire show career I have not only shown my own horses but have catch ridden in all three rings and qualified many ponies for Pony Finals. I am used to sitting on unknown horses and having just minutes to prepare them for the ring. I really enjoy getting a feel for how to help them show their best. I see what their strengths are and try to highlight what will make them shine. I think one of my biggest strengths is helping a horse who might be green or a bit overwhelmed in a show environment to stay confident and secure. I do that by remaining relaxed and reassuring and letting them feel supported. It is so much fun to see a fresh import adjust to their new life and are happy and successful. My goals for my final junior year will be qualifying for all four major finals and continuing in the Junior Jumpers and National Derbies. I will be wintering in Florida, traveling between WEF and WEC for the 2023 season.
I am also very passionate about photography and film. I enjoy practicing equine photography on the road at shows and for friends and family. I plan to major in film in college and am currently working on my first documentary highlighting the American Mustang. Our family farm works with the non-profit, Mustang Heritage Foundation and this film will hopefully bring awareness to the mustang’s struggle to stay free on government land. I want to show the herd management issues, and follow one mustang’s journey through the gentling process and being adopted into a forever home.
I am looking to ride for a college that will be a good fit for me both in my equestrian pursuits and its film program. I am very excited to compete in a team format, which we as equestrians don’t often get to be a part of. I also believe having a group of peers that have had the same unconventional horse show life as myself would be a great way to start making friends in a new place. I am so excited to begin this new journey as part of the freshman class of 2024!
~ Kate Neily