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Meet Becky Holder and Comet Of the US Olympic Eventing Team
It’s been a big year for Becky Holder; not only was she the runner-up at the highly prestigious Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, she’s headed to the 2008 Olympics to compete in eventing. I think she’ll be US rider I’m rooting for because she’s riding Courageous Comet, a gray off-the-track thoroughbred. And a handful of the other top horses she’s trained and shown are also ex-racers including Highland Hogan with whom she was an alternate for the 2000 Olympics.
Becky has trained with some of the best coaches, working extensively with Capt. Mark Phillips, and David and Karen O’Connor. She was selected to participate in the United States Equestrian Team (USET) training sessions with Eventing Team coach Capt. Phillips in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Competitor, Trainer, and Coach
Becky Holder started riding when she was 10 years old because she was tired of breaking her Barbie Dolls’ legs on her Breyer horses, she says. She spent year riding with the Fiddler’s Green Pony Club in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from which she graduated a B-Level Pony Clubber. “I was jumping wheelbarrows at the barn as a kid and someone gave me a pamplet about the USCTA-what is now the USEA-I was hooked on eventing,” she said in an interview with the USEF. She was well-prepared for the sport after spending 11 years as the whipper-in for the Fort Leavenworth Hunt.
Competing and training horses for over 20 years, Becky has many national and regional awards to her her name. To date, her biggest accomplishments have been qualifying as an alternate for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, a reserve rider for the 2006 World Equestrian Games, and riding second at Rolex earlier this spring.
Becky has been teaching since she was 16-years-old, serving as a coach and instructor for event riders at all levels. She works out of Carriage House Farm in Hugo, Minnesota.Formerly a USEA Area IV Young Rider Coach, Becky is currently the instructor for the CSDEA Junior Developing Rider Program.
Becky particularly enjoys bringing young horses up through the eventing levels. She has developed both of her current mounts herself, training the off-the-track Thoroughbreds Courageous Comet, Highland Hogan and Glorious Joy to the Advanced level. Other notable partners include Rainman, Nutzen and Van Gogh.
Courageous Comet
Known as Comet around the barn, the 12-year-old thoroughbred gelding has been Becky’s partner since 2005. Becky says he loves turnout more than food, nickering more when it’s time to go outside than for his breakfast. He also loves to have his tongue played with.
Becky Holder and Courageous Comet at 2008 Rolex Kentucky Sunken Road
Becky Holder and Courageous Comet 2008 Rolex Stadium Jumping
- Read Olympic equestrian rider profiles, overviews of events and Hong Kong facilities, and other Olympic equestrian news on RegardingHorses.com. Complete coverage of 2008 Olympic Equestrian events.
That is one cute horse. Good luck to both of them.
Comet looks like my off the track TB! I’m definitely a fan after reading that she uses many off the track thoroughbreds, they are wonderful horses ready for new careers! Thanks for the spotlights on all the competitors! Keep em comin!!!
GreyHorseMatters – I agree! Of course, I know we’re both a little partial to grays.
LizWolo – I love this horse. As I’m getting to know a little about the competitors, Becky really won me over for the same reason. I love that she is retraining off the track thoroughbreds and getting them to such high levels. My horse growing up was an ottb, and I’ve spent a lot of time working with others, so it’s something I’m pretty passionate about. Hopefully I can at least get profile of all the US riders in before the Olympics start!
Great story–so glad to know it…so what is that black tape on his nose below the noseband cross? Looks like giant breathe-right strips?? Just wondering.
I’m a huge Becky Holder & Comet fan! Gotta love those OTTBs!
I hope they do good in the Olympics. Comet is my OTTB mare’s (Comet Clash) half brother. They have the same sire.
I have to agree with everyone else, I love the fact that she trains so many ottb’s! They really are wonderful horses if you have the time and patience to work with them. =)
Netherfieldmom – They are similar to breathe-right strips. I can’t remember exactly what they’re called but I remember seeing somewhere in my Rolex program that all the competitors at Rolex were given some.
Becky Holder is an awesome lady. I ride in the same area, and she is being cheered on by the area’s Pony Club- I believe she is an A level graduate(that’s the top-an amazing standard to reach).
oh my gosh, you are such a good jumper, when i grow up i want be and do what you do,and so does my horse bella.
P.S. you rock
My daughter has a 10 year old OTTB mare named Comet Clash out of the same sire as Courageous Comet. She is extremely talented, athletic and enjoys a challange. She began as a H/J, and my daughter switched to dressage. Comet has alwas put on a good show for the judges. Beautiful extension! She is 16.1H, blood bay, gorgeous comformation. My daughter does not want to compete anymore but this mare was bred for greatness. Right now she is being ridden as much as the weather allows. See her small You Tube clip under Comet Clash TB mare. I have been told that she is Grand Prix material. I want to find her human match. Must me a confidant, experienced rider that can show her leadership through kindness.
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