As Sharon White trotted into the arena at Terra Nova Equestrian Center Friday for her dressage test on Jaguars Duende, the announcer informed spectators that she was the recent winner of the U.S. Equestrian Open Eventing championship.
That’s a little more performance pressure, right?
Not for this very veteran competitor.
“I put so much pressure on my whole life and finally I was like, you know what? Just enjoy your horses,” Sharon said.
Sharon White and Jaguars Duende.
“Now I’m sticking with that. It’s a nice place to be. Winning the Open was amazing but it came from not trying so hard and just really being there for the horses and doing what I want. Either I’ll be right or wrong. I’m okay with either of those things. If my horses are happy, they’ll tell me. If it’s slightly wrong, I’ll change course. It’s a nicer place to compete from.”
The 51-year-old rider laughed as she noted it took her “three-plus decades” to get to that approach.
“When something matters this much, you put all your heart and soul and money and effort and time; my whole life has been around this. I love riding my horses on an everyday basis.”
Coming off a 4-star Short win in Georgia last month, Jaguar is making her debut at 4-star Long, “so this is delving into making sure she can do the distance, she’s still learning the level. She’s quite a competitor,” Sharon emphasized.
The 10-year-old Westfalen had a setback with a stifle injury, but has moved right ahead, though Sharon confided, “she tries too hard.”
“I’m excited to see how she handles this weekend. It’s great information, their first 4-Long. I’d like her to be clean, accurate and efficient to run the cross-country. Then I’d like her to be sound and happy and show jump in good form.”
Jaguars Duende, a 10-year-old Westfalen mare by Jaguar Mail, is one of four horses Sharon has lined up as possible prospects for the U.S. team at the 2028 Olympics. There’s Claus 63, her U.S. Open winner and Quizas, eighth after dressage in the 3-star Long at TerraNova. Another possiblity is Arden Augustus “He’s really special too,” who will start at 4-star level next year.
The cross-country courses are being designed by Alec Lochore, who also will be the course designer for LA28. So this weekend’s event is an educational experience in more ways than one.
Sharon hurt her knee in the summer, which meant she didn’t compete for three months. But had the year gone a planned, Sharon wouldn’t have been competing at the TerraNova venue outside Sarasota, Fla.
“The three I have here would have been done with their year if I hadn’t gotten hurt. This is the universe looking out for you,” Sharon believes.
The West Virginian explained that this is “such a good opportunity to get a feel of what he (the designer) likes and his thought process. I’m lucky enough to be the rider rep, so I’ve spent a little time with him.”
What’s her conclusion?
“I think the courses are super fair, yet challenging enough. He’s a very considerate course designer and I really appreciate that. You can tell a lot about a person by their courses.”
Sharon stands third on 30.5 penalties, behind second-place Ema Klugman and RF Redfern (27.9). First after dressage was Alyssa Phillips (23.3), who has worked with Rockett 19 for nearly two years. He did his first 4-star Short at TerraNova in the spring, then went on to run a 4-star Long at Rebecca Farm in July, when the 11-year-old Holsteiner was second..
Alyssa Phillips and Rockett 19.
Similar to what happened to Jaguar, Rockett bumped his leg in his stall following dressage at Morven Park this fall, so that’s how he wound up at TerraNova for their second 4-Star Long.
Throughout his first season at the level, Alyssa has prioritized building Rockett’s confidence.
“He’s such a careful horse that I’ve really wanted to take my time with him and make sure he’s confident,” Alyssa said.
“I’ve switched him back and forth between the 4-star and running an Intermediate, just to make sure he’s super happy, because that is my number one priority with him.”
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