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December 07, 2022
The McCutcheon family is synonymous with good horsemanship. With roots in both the Hunter Jumper & Reining disciplines, Carlee McCutcheon has topped the leaderboard across the country. Hailing from Aubrey, Texas, the seventeen-year-old equestrian has goals to represent the USA at International competitions & giveback to the sport by bringing up young prospects.
In 2021, Carlee won her first Grand Prix at Pin Oak Charity Horse Show & received the William Steinkraus Style of Riding Award at the 2021 Prix Des States. 2022 continued Carlee's success; she was fourth at Maclay Finals, ninth at USET Talent Search Finals, Zone 7 Team Gold at the USEF Prix Des States, & second in the Hermes Equitation Challenge & Leading Equitation Rider at the Hampton Classic.
Continue reading to hear from Carlee on her start in the sport, her long-time partner MTM Unexpected, & her EquiFit ringside essentials.
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Q: Introduce yourself to the EquiFit audience.
A: I’m Carlee McCutcheon I am 17 years old from Aubrey, Texas. I compete in the Jumper, Equitation, and Hunter ring.
Q: How did you get started in riding?
A: Horses have always been apart of my family, my grandparents are horse trainers, my father and brother are both horse trainers and my Mom is a successful Non Pro Reiner and spent many years showing Hunters and Jumpers as well. Horses have always been the biggest part of my life.
Q: What would you say has been the most pivotal moment of your riding career so far?
A: Winning team gold at Prix Des States in Harrisburg was a great experience, one of my biggest long term goals is to represent the USA in team competition, so to have the opportunity to be apart of a winning team was very special to me.
Q: What are your short term and long term goals for the sport?
A: My short term goals as I go into my final junior year would be to win a big equitation final, compete in U25/2* Grand Prixs and to podium finish individually at NAYC and Prix Des States. My long term goals are to turn professional, represent the USA in team competition and I would love to bring along young horses for the hunter, equitation, and jumper ring.
Q: Tell us about a horse that has made a lasting impact personally and/or professionally.
A: MTM Unexpected (Slim), I have been riding him since 2019 I started showing him in the High Childrens jumpers and he has taken me to my first Grand Prix win, my first U25 win and all of my first jumper experiences have been with him. Having a horse I have so much faith in has made me a confident rider, it means so much to be that we have learned so much together.
Q: If you could ride any horse, who would it be?
A: If I could ride any horse I would choose Scott Brash’s Hello Jefferson.
Q: What are your top three horse show must-haves?
A: My top three horse show essentials are my EquiFit Ringside BackPack in case of any last minute spur changes, my sticky spray (especially for the jumper ring), and my air vest.
Q: What is your favorite go-to EquiFit product?
A: Some of my favorite EquiFit products are the D-Teq Front and Hind Boots and the ImpacTeq Half Pad.
Photos courtesy of Carlee McCutcheon, Kind Media, Art of Eq Photography, & Shawn McMillen Photography.