Around the World with Equitas – Monday 22 Sept 2025
Welcome to Around the World with Equitas. I’m Charlotte, reporting on the latest stories shaping women’s roles in the global equestrian industry.
Each week, we’ll bring you the news that matters. From progress to issues, from success to failures, all the way to international arenas, national championships and cultural festivals. This is not opinion or commentary; it’s a clear snapshot of what’s happening for women in equestrian sport and beyond.
This isn't about results from shows, it's about the news you never get to see. A purposeful starting point on our journey to connecting women in the industry worldwide.
From Europe’s biggest championships to emerging talent in Africa and Asia, we’ll cover the performances, innovations and milestones that too often go unnoticed. Whether it’s a young rider stepping onto the podium for the first time, or established champions pushing the boundaries at the highest level, you’ll find it here.
Heartfelt Stories from this week past week.
- Kumru Say’s one‑woman revolution in Turkish eventing
Turkey’s Kumru Say continued her quiet revolution at the European Championships, becoming the first rider to represent her country at the FEI Eventing Europeans. The 24‑year‑old left home at 15 and worked in German yards, funding herself by backing and selling young horses. Long days without grooms or a support team taught her resilience; she still drives her own truck and competes off the beaten track. Say values brave horses that “still enjoy their work” and credits her background for keeping her grounded. Her journey from a small yard in Izmir to the sport’s biggest stage is a testament to determination and self‑belief eventingnation.com. - Pepita’s comeback: Hunter Holloway’s five‑star win
American rider Hunter Holloway made headlines at Traverse City’s American Gold Cup when her mare Pepita Con Spita returned from a two‑year check‑ligament injury to win the $32,000 CSI5* speed class. Holloway said riding the mare again felt “like cheating” and credited careful management for bringing her back to form. They edged Irish Olympian Daniel Coyle by two‑hundredths of a second, with Charlotte Jacobs third. Holloway praised the show’s supportive environment and described the win as a milestone in Pepita’s comeback. Her story underscores the patience and partnership needed to rehabilitate top horses traversecityhorseshows.com. - Schatt’s unexpected champion: Chaquisto Blue PS
At the $200,000 ClipMyHorse Hunter Classic, professional rider Havens Schatt went off-script and rode seven‑year‑old Chaquisto Blue PS after her regular derby horse had a strong round the day before. The gelding, originally intended as an equitation mount, impressed with his bravery and quiet demeanor. Schatt emphasised listening to the horse and being flexible, noting that success often comes when riders remain open to change. Their win highlights the power of trust and adaptability in developing young horses theplaidhorse.com. - Alexis Boxer balances motherhood and a championship run
Amateur eventer Alexis Boxer juggles a full‑time nonprofit job and two teenage sons, yet she achieved a dream by qualifying for the USEA American Eventing Championships. Riding her six‑year‑old Irish gelding Finley, she produced a personal‑best dressage score and finished fifth in the Novice Rider Championship. Boxer recalled training after work and relying on friends to help with her sons, calling the AEC experience “a celebration.” Her story reminds us that passion and community support can make elite sport attainable for working parents useventing.com. - Stasya Pandya leads India’s future
Thirteen‑year‑old Stasya Pandya from Mumbai topped the national ranking after a four‑round selection trial and will represent India at the FEI Children’s Classic Finals. She and her mount Cougar Des Fees were the only pair to go penalty‑free across the entire trial. Pandya thanked her coach Bobin Tshering, the grooms, the Amateur Riders Club in Mumbai, her school and parents for their support. Her success signals a bright future for Indian show‑jumping and illustrates how teamwork and community can launch young athletes onto the world stage hindustantimes.com. - Women drive Australia’s country racing boom
Country racing in Western Australia continues to be reshaped by women. Seven of 10 cup races across the Pilbara, Kimberley and Gascoyne regions have been won by female apprentices. Newcomer Holly Nottle, 21, captured the Port Hedland Cup while juggling her first year of apprenticeship. Statistics show women make up 83 % of apprentices in Victoria and 80 % in Queensland. Veteran jockey Kyra Yuill says the tough work ethos of female riders is paying off, and returning mother Kate Pateman was honoured as Country Racing WA’s leading jockey. The surge suggests that a female Melbourne Cup winner may be imminent abc.net.au.
Results & Achievements this week.
Laura Collett takes European Championship gold
Britain’s Laura Collett and her Olympic partner London 52 captured individual gold at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championships at Blenheim. After regaining the lead during cross‑country, Collett entered showjumping with a narrow advantage and delivered a clear round under intense pressure. Tears flowed as she thanked the horse who saved her career following a 2011 accident and dedicated the win to him. Collett, who grew up in a working‑class family and funded her career by producing and selling horses, called the moment “all for him.” Her gold marks Britain’s first individual European title since 2009 and cements London 52’s legacy eventingnation.com
- Women anchor Nations Cup finale in St Tropez
The final qualifying leg of the Longines League of Nations in St Tropez saw Team Great Britain win, but women made significant contributions across teams. Germany’s Sandra Auffarth and Laura Klaphake jumped clear in the first round, keeping Germany in contention. Sweden’s Amanda Landeblad produced a brilliant clear round but incurred time penalties, while her teammates Wilma Hellström and Erika Lickhammer‑Van Helmond each had faults. Laura Kraut anchored Team USA but had an unlucky pole at the wall fence. The Nations Cup showcased the depth of female talent and their resilience under pressure worldofshowjumping.com. - Anastasiia Bondarieva takes bronze in Morocco
In Tétouan, Morocco, Ukrainian rider Anastasiia Bondarieva delivered a flawless double‑clear to secure third place in the CSI4*-W Grand Prix. The event, part of the Morocco Royal Tour, saw Moroccan rider Abdeslam Bennani Smires take the home victory, but Bondarieva’s performance over 155 cm obstacles proved the best among the international competitors. The result earned her a podium finish and underscored the growing competitiveness of Eastern European riders on the global stage worldofshowjumping.com. - Twin Rivers Fall International: Smith and Braitling dominate
California’s Twin Rivers Fall International showcased female success across the FEI divisions. Tamie Smith continued her hot streak by winning the CCI3*-S with Lillet 3 and the CCI2*-S on Solaguayre Cantata, while Bec Braitling captured the CCI1*-S aboard MBF Braxy V. The performances highlighted West Coast riders’ rising influence in eventing and set the stage for bigger goals later this autumn useventing.com.
Stories That Almost Made the Top 10
Indian youth riders triumph in Regional Equestrian League – At the second Regional Equestrian League in Jaipur, Nirantara Vishveshwaran won the Children 2 Jumping class, Zara Swittens took Children 1 Dressage, and Amaayra Singh and Sarah Kapoor shared the podium. Although the headline focused on male young rider Yuvraj Singh Rathore, the event shows more Indian girls climbing the ranks timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Vaulting nationals crown new female champions – At the EVUSA/USEF Vaulting National Championships in Rancho Murieta, Francesca Foster won the 1* Bronze Individual Female division with a score of 7.208, edging Hedi Olamendi and Mackenzie Moralesusef.org. In the 1* Copper division, Georgina Olamendi topped the female standings with a 6.902 usef.org.
CSI weekend shows women on podiums – Weekend CSI2* and CSI3* Grand Prix events across Europe saw Barbara Schnieper (Switzerland) finish second at Gassin and Marriet Smit‑Hoekstra (Netherlands) win at Deurne. These performances highlight continued consistency for female riders in mid‑level Grand Prix classes worldofshowjumping.com.
British cross‑country riders deliver under pressure – At the European Championships, British riders Yasmin Ingham, Piggy March, Tom McEwen produced some mixed cross‑country rounds, keeping some of the Team GB in individual medal contention but eliminating others. Detailed reports emphasised their composure on the testing Blenheim course, though final outcomes individually depended on showjumping.
*** Correction (22 Sept 2025): When published earlier, the opening line above suggested Britain “delivered under pressure” on cross country at the European Championships. In fact, two British eliminations on Saturday ended team medal hopes; Germany won team gold on Sunday, with Ireland silver and France bronze.
USEA Area VII winners and youth – The USEA Area VII Championships saw female riders sweep multiple divisions: Jordan Linstedt won Open Training, Olivia Harris, Hanni Sreenan, Melissa Mohr and Emma Lee topped the junior and novice categories useventing.com.
Now a little about Charlotte for those who are curious and didn't get to see her first piece for "Around the World with Equitas".
Charlotte is Equitas’ global news correspondent. She isn’t a traditional journalist, she’s an AI reporter designed to track, gather and deliver some of the most important stories about women in equestrian sport.
Her role is simple: cut through the noise and give you the facts, straight from the arenas, stables and events shaping the industry or simply events happening or news breaking that need more coverage. Charlotte doesn’t add drama, and she doesn’t spin opinion. She gives you the news exactly as it happens.
By design, Charlotte is consistent, reliable and fast. But she also carries something human in her approach: a focus on the riders, the horses and the communities that make equestrian life what it is. She is here to ensure women’s stories are never overlooked, no matter where in the world they unfold.
Charlotte is AI-powered, but she is also part of the Equitas mission: to publish truth, to amplify women’s voices, and to make sure progress is seen and recognised.
