The Saloon jump’s first official event back after the original was destroyed by hurricane Helene. Thank you to course builders, Jon Wells and Jamie Gornall, for reviving the old-timey Saloon.
The Eventing community wasn’t surprised to learn that Pine Top Farm’s Eventing Horse Trials is still rocking and rolling after 35 years of hosting equestrian events at the Wilson family’s historic farm established in 1770 and listed on the National Historical Registry for it’s significance in agriculture and farming as an intact farm now owned and operated by eighth generational family member, Glenn Wilson and his wife, Janet Wilson.
From Friday, February 20th thru Sunday, February 22nd, 2026, 316 riders competed across 23 divisions ranging in difficulty from the Advanced upper level divisions to Senior Novice Rider. Navigating a sometimes disruptive weather cold front that brought with it moments of heavy rain and lightning causing schedule delays, riders proved that Eventing is still the toughest equestrian sport by soldiering on despite the weather. Competitors competing through Sunday enjoyed bright sunshine with occasional wind gusts that could knock your hat off your head.
With 24 riders competing across two divisions of Advanced Test A and Test B, upper level eventing pairs engaged in healthy competiton navigating challenging stadium jump courses designed by Brody Robertson and moving on to an early season appropriate cross-country course by returning course designer, Jeff Kibbie, assisted by course builders, Jon Wells and Jamie Gornall. We caught up with Brody Robertson on his drive back to Florida and he had this to say about Pine Top’s show this weekend, "What a fantastic week of sport at Pine Top! It was so exciting to see the leaderboard with movement up and down the list between phases. I thought the show jumping was terrific. The course proved to be a really nice test with well-earned clear rounds. There were plenty of four fault and eight fault rounds, and a very small percentage of those scoring more than eight faults. The rails had were scattered throughout the course and not just at any particular bogey fence. The time allowed was spot on. You had to be prompt from fence to fence, and if you didn’t stay on the track and at the speed, you would get a time fault. With the rain that we had, we got a chance to experience the lore of Pine Top's amazing footing. The ground held up beautifully under 300ish rounds of Jumping and was top notch. All in all, it was just a fantastic weekend of sport!"
Repeat first place Advanced Division winners were Arden Wildasin riding Sunday Times in Advanced Test A finishing on a score of 42.0 and Will Faudree riding Mama’s Magic Way in Advanced Test B finishing on a score of 39.2. These two pairs also won their respective Advanced Divisions at the 2025 Advanced Horse Trials, solidifying their partnership and proving that last year wasn’t just luck of the draw. Maybe they should face head-to-head at next year’s 2027 Advanced Horse trials? Will Faudree took a few moments to share his perspective on the weekend, "Pine Top is always my favorite event to kickstart this season. The courses are always challenging but very fair for this time of year and it just is such a great venue to start the season. So grateful to have Pine Top a staple in my schedule every year."
Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way. Photo by Liz Crawley Photography via Eventing Nation
Once again, Pine Top’s Advanced Horse Trials not only remains one of the most important early season preparatory events for the United States’ development of future Olympic Eventing horses and rider pairs, but also an important event for international upper level riders from Canada, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Ireland, and New Zealand looking for a successful run in Kentucky this spring and beyond to the 2027 Summer Olympic Games in LA. Accolades go to Canadian Olympic Eventer, Colleen Loach, for placing first in Opening Intermediate A riding Chiaro Z Excalibur on a score of 31.7 and also winning Open Intermediate B riding FE Golden Eye on a score of 29.0.
The driving success of 35 years of hosting equestrian events at Pine Top is in the heart of its loyal volunteers, turned friends, who return year after year working long hours to support the Wilson family, Pine Top and the future of Eventing. At the conclusion of each eventing competition day the volunteers, judges, officials, and staff gathered together, as tradition, for a shared meal at the Wilson’s home. On Friday evening, attendees dried their clothes from the rain in front of warm fires and celebrated Glenn Wilson’s 74th birthday by singing “Happy Birthday” and enjoying homemade peanut butter pie.
Happy 74th birthday, Glenn Wilson!
Click Here Coverage from our friends at Eventing Nation
Check out the Eventing Coverage from our friends at Eventing Nation! IYKYK… If you’ve been following along the last day and a half you’ll know that we engaged in a healthy (mostly sarcastic) roasting of our friends at Eventing Nation. We’re truly sorry if any feelings were harmed - we kept trying to direct people to a “laughing” voice. We found out a few things in the back and forth…Eventers are spicy…running a sports eventing website is hardwork…MOST all of you have a really good sense of humor…
We love Eventing Nation and we’re glad you love it too!
We are pleased to share official scores, with a link posted for all finishing places HERE
Top Three Places By Division:
Advanced Test A
1. Arden Wildasin and Sunday Times (42.0)
2. Allison Springer and Vandyke (44.1)
3. Bruce Davidson, Jr and True Belief (45.4)
Advanced Test B
1. Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way (39.2)
2. Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic (47.5)
3. Alexandra Knowles and Montpellier Scais (55.7)
Intermediate Horse
1. Allison Springer and Crystal Crescent Moon (35.3)
2. Dan Krietl and My Kindness T (36.9)
3. Emily Hamel and Kingston (47.7)
Intermediate Rider
1. Megan Hopkins and Altaskin Jack (47.1)
2. Declan Bast and Je M’appelle Balou (48.1)
3. Megan Loughnane and Flamenco Ping (53.4)
Open Intermediate A
1. Colleen Loach and Chiaro Z Excalibur (31.7)
2. Bruce Davidson, Jr and Galakis De L’Ocean AA (37.1)
3. Ashley Adams and Quicksilver Gräns (38.0)
Open Intermediate B
1. Colleen Loach and FE Golden Eye (29.0)
2. Alexandra Knowles and MBF Starburst (33.6)
3. Michael Pendelton and Rahale Comet (36.8)
JR/YR Prelim
1. Willow Schwartz and RH Finnegan (32.9)
2. Reese Dellangelo and Carlson 119 (33.6)
3. James Power and Brambleridge Ponder the Truth (39.1)
Open Prelim A
1. Dan Krietl and Hello King WD Z (35.0)
2. Boyd Martin and Kolbeinn (35.6)
3. Hayley Frielick and Sportsfield Johnny Logan (40.0)
Open Prelim B
1. Dan Krietl and Boby Buster (25.0)
2. Erin Kanara and Captain’s Lady K (32.3)
3. Ariel Grald and Cheptel Dreamer (35.5)
Open Prelim C
1. Boyd Martin and Miks Master C (34.1)
2. Alexandra Knowles and LS Crown Royal (39.7)
3. Todd Wulf and Kilcannon Max (42.8)
Prelim Rider
1. Logan Harris and Omnipotent (35.2)
2. Addison Craig and OT Bandini (39.5)
3. Ella Kay Lane and Double Dare (40.0)
Modified Open A
1. Shannon Riley and Manuel Neuer (28.3)
2. Waylon Roberts and Empire State of Mind (35.5)
3. Hayley Frielick and Dunedin LB Muze (35.6)
Modified Open B
1. Lily Barlow and Whitman (23.5)
2. Kenta Hiranaga and Dixon (30.3)
3. Zoe Crawford and Sportsfield Olympic Bay (30.8)
Modified Open C
1. Kristina Marth and Severn Starlight (30.0)
2. Sara Beth Anton and Achilles Dagger (30.2)
3. Riley Zgrebnak and Cooley Roan Star (30.5)
Modified Rider
1-T Heidi Gyselinck and Brockton JHF (31.0)
1-T. Avery Cascarino and Excel Star Quidam's Cavalier (31.0)
3. Kaitlyn Cobey and Redfield Need For Speed (33.0)
Junior Training Rider
1. Abby Wilberding and Springtime ETC (40.3)
2. Madeline DiNicola and Willbrook Brown Yeats (45.0)
3. Penelope Young and Tug of War (50.5)
Open Training A
1. Jasmine Hobart and Freedom Seven (30.3)
2. Shannon Riles and Rockmoninov (33.6)
3. Madison Chisholm and CSI Global (33.8)
Open Training B
1. Brittany Crandall and Cooley Night Owl (27.8)
2. Lisa Borgia and Silmarillion (28.5)
3. Ashley Adams and Fernhill Emerald (29.3)
Senior Training Rider
1. Brie Murray and Ranga Tanga Roo (33.2)
2. Meili Gregg and Cooley Triskele (33.7)
3. Katherine Holzrichter and DressedForTheFifth (34.8)
Junior Novice Rider
1. Lila Kelly and Hold On Tight (29.7)
2. Natalie Cosenza and Lisdara Top Quality (35.6)
3. Paisley Roberts and B.E. Mountain View (46.1)
Open Novice A
1. Ashley Adams and Miso (25.8)
2. Lillian Heard Wood and Topolino (27.2)
3. Alexandra Knowles and Mongolian Tank (29.2)
Open Novice B
1. Mary Bess David and O'Connor (31.7)
2. Natasha Quirk and Fernhill My Time (32.9)
3. Laura Werner and Lup The Loop (35.3)
Senior Novice Rider
1. Emerson Hover and Amore (23.3)
2. Erica Webb and Mr. Panda (29.0)
3. Sara Klinkner and Namibia (30.4)
Written by Virginia Wilson 2/23/26