Thisweek’sPracticalHorsemanPodcastepisode,sponsoredbyZoetis,iswithDerekBraun,thecompetitionorganizeroftheFEIWorldCup™FinalsForthWorth2026.WetalkedtoDerekinmid-FebruaryasheandhisteamwerebusilypreparingtohostthispremiereventinFortWorth,Texas.

TogiveyoualittlemorebackgroundonDerek,hegrewupinNewYorkandcompetedonthehunter/jumpercircuitasajunior,winningthe2001U.S.EquestrianFederation(USEF)TalentSearchFinals–Eastandteamgoldatthe2002USEFJuniorJumperNationalChampionshipsatthePennsylvaniaNationalHorseShow.AftergraduatingfromRollinsCollegein2007,Derekturnedprofessionalandstartedhistrainingandsalesbusiness,SplitRockFarm.Hecompetedsuccessfullyatthenationalandinternationallevels,includingasamemberoftheU.S.NationsCupteaminBrazilin2013.

Derekrealizedhewantedtoshifthisfocusfromcompetingtoorganizingcompetitions,andin2015,hecreatedtheSplitRockJumpingTour.Today,thehunter/jumperseriesruns10showsinfourcities,stretchingfromLexington,Kentucky,toLosAngeles,California.DerekandhisteamarealsotakingonthejobastheorganizersoftheFEIWorldCup™FinalsForthWorth2026fromApril8-12,whichconsistsoftheLonginesFEIJumpingWorldCup™FinalandtheZenEliteFEIDressageWorldCup™Final.

Inourdiscussion,Derektalksaboutspecialhorsesfromhisridingcareer,howhegotintocompetitionorganizing,detailsabouttheFEIWorldCupFinalsandmore.

AboutThisEpisode’sSponsor,Zoetis

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