Four years ago, Carly Stevens (CAN) took a shot at producing a young horse, and on Sunday of the Summer Fort Classic, her hard work paid its biggest dividend yet. She and the horse, 7-year-old Springsteen, topped the $20,000 Solaris U25, presented by MarBill Hill U25 and protected by Western Pacific Emergency.
Springsteen was only 3 when he joined the Stevens’ family. The now 22-year-old rider spotted him at an online auction, and she was encouraged by her parents to take a risk on the Belgian Warmblood (Diarado x Acorado).
“Me and my mom were looking through [auction videos] and just thought he was super pretty,” she said about what initially caught her eye. “He was just super flashy. I had just broken my collarbone, so I was going to be out for a while. But my parents talked to me about it, and they were still okay to [purchase him].
“I started riding him as a 4-year-old, and he’s been a really good young horse for me,” Stevens shared about their early days. “He’s naturally very balanced, and was just very easy to get along with.”
Stevens had no prior experience with horses quite that young, but says she and Springsteen have learned the ropes together.
“The youngest horses I’ve ever ridden were 6, so I had no idea what I was doing,” she shared. “But we clicked right away. Obviously, we had ups and downs. That’s what happens when you have young horses, but he answered every question I asked. If I made a mistake, he was okay with it and helped me out, and when he made a mistake, I was able to help him out. We just got along super well, and it’s been super fun bringing him along.”
In Sunday’s class, Stevens was one of six to navigate the first round fault free. Returning for the jump-off, she had an early draw, setting the time to beat at 36.95 seconds and held onto the lead throughout. Coming in second was Isabel Coxe (USA) with One Whisper for 5 Roosters in 38.68, and in third was Maison McIntyre (USA) and Northern Light for Clover M Sporthorses LLC in 39.53.
“It’s definitely his biggest accomplishment, and I’m so proud of him,” Stevens continued. ”I had some happy tears when I found out we won. It’s just an amazing result to get when you’ve done everything with the horse yourself.”
While Springsteen is new to the U25 ranks, only jumping 1.40m twice prior, Stevens has been competing in U25 since she was 16 and has high hopes for her young horse.
“I think he could jump the world,” Stevens continued. “He gives me such an amazing feeling, but I’m not going to put any pressure on him.
“I’d just like to stay consistent at the three-star level,” she shared about her own personal riding goals. “I like bringing up young horses, so maybe I’ll keep doing that in the future. But I just want to be consistent and just have fun with it at this point in my life.”
$20,000 Solaris U25, presented by MarBill Hill U25 and protected by Western Pacific Emergency
- Springsteen / Carly Stevens / CAN / Susan Stevens / 0/0/36.95
- One Whisper / Isabel Coxe / USA / 5 Roosters / 0/0/38.68
- Northern Light / Maison McIntyre / USA / Clover M Sporthorses LLC / 0/0/39.53
- Lattino / Katrina Komitsch / CAN / Katrina Komitsch / 0/0/39.76
- Mr. Balue BR Z / Lilah Nakatani / USA / Lilah Nakatani / 0/4/37.76
- Flinton M / Cameron Brown / USA / Cameron Brown / 0/8/40.25
- Grand Blanc De Villa D’Arto / Declan Talla / USA / Molly Talla / 4/68.08
- Crown Royal / Hayley Mercer / CAN / 4/71.32
- Lien / Colby Winther Konig / CAN / Sorine Winther / 4/72.77
- Ashtin’s Fabulas / Payton Roux / CAN / Payton Roux / 4/73.33
