Jennie Brannigan
Horse & Hound|March 21, 2024
Ahead of Kentucky next month and after success at Burghley last year, the US event rider talks to Pippa Roome about growing out of her child-like love of the sport” and fighting back from tough times
Pippa Roome
Jennie Brannigan

HEARTBREAK and success are the bedrocks of every interesting sporting story – and US event rider Jennie Brannigan has seen both in her 36 years. She’s been a champion young rider, been listed for senior teams, and finished in the placings at five-star, including 12th at Burghley last year. She’s also flown around the world to events and fallen, lost horses in tragic circumstances and been suspended from the sport for a year.

She looks back on the autumn of 2021 as a turning point in her career. She’d been chosen as the anchorman for the US team at the Nations Cup final at Boekelo with FE Lifestyle. The first team rider had fallen, so she needed to go clear – or “clean”, as Americans say. And she did.

Validation from one of her mentors, former US performance director Erik Duvander, followed: “He said, ‘This is who you actually are – all that other s***, all those other things that happened, really aren’t you.’”

That was a pivotal moment, soon followed by her best-ever five-star result, fourth at Maryland with Stella Artois. But really, Jennie adds, it was about finding her maturity.

“I still love winning, but instead of being obsessed with it, I became a better horseman,” she says. “I started rating what each horse can do and not being a psycho if I didn’t win. I think a lot of people go through that phase if they win a lot when they are young.

“Now I want to have these horses in my career for a long time. I want to go to top events with my horses in good health. I want to be a horseman, not just someone who wins events. That’s equally important to me. I think you can do both… I’m going to try to do both.”

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 21, 2024 من Horse & Hound.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 21, 2024 من Horse & Hound.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من HORSE & HOUND مشاهدة الكل
Better judges' cover a must to protect the sport's future
Horse & Hound

Better judges' cover a must to protect the sport's future

A group insurance option has been found to protect the officials showing needs but only if enough sign up

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2024
IVF with frozen sperm is a 'milestone' in equine breeding
Horse & Hound

IVF with frozen sperm is a 'milestone' in equine breeding

The first successful use of frozen semen in the technique has been recorded in an American study

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Challenging ourselves to be and do better for our horses
Horse & Hound

Challenging ourselves to be and do better for our horses

The 2024 FEI general assembly heard how we should all challenge ourselves to give horses the best lives possible

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Scottish jockeys to benefit from fund's top services
Horse & Hound

Scottish jockeys to benefit from fund's top services

A new centre in Galashiels has been built thanks to a legacy donation

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
How horse simulators could help encourage people into riding
Horse & Hound

How horse simulators could help encourage people into riding

It is hoped the new model will help break down barriers to the sector for a wide range of people

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Many horses' needs aren't met: study finds chance to improve
Horse & Hound

Many horses' needs aren't met: study finds chance to improve

Researchers say all must ensure horses have space, friends, forage and good experiences

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Humble pie
Horse & Hound

Humble pie

How many ladies does it take to cook a shepherd's pie? It’s a complicated one, says Tessa Waugh, on a quest to find appropriate ovens for the impending hunt auction dinner

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2024
I love an underdog
Horse & Hound

I love an underdog

The arrival of the winter mud brings with it a Venetia Williams hat-trick, but the day belongs to a warrior gelding, who never stops trying”

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2024
Jumping Jack cracks it
Horse & Hound

Jumping Jack cracks it

A scopey grey is learning to be quick” anda broodmare makes up for lost time

time-read
4 mins  |
November 28, 2024
A star is born
Horse & Hound

A star is born

A nine-year-old mare helps put Luxembourg on the map and we celebrate a remarkable grey’s comeback

time-read
3 mins  |
November 28, 2024