10/09/2026
So very proud of Peyton and Peter! 🥹😍🤩🥳
Each of our USEA members has something to share and we are excited to showcase those thoughts, opinions, and celebrations in our Voices of the USEA series. ❤️ Meet this week's featured member Peyton James from USEA Area III.
“Put in Love. Put in Hours.”
Those six words from Noah Kahan perfectly describe my journey with my horse, Peter. I was fifteen when I first sat on him, and he had just arrived at the barn. I had always been a pony girl, so riding a 16.2 hand Thoroughbred was completely new for me. After my first lesson, I told my mom, “I love him,” and that started one of the most important journeys of my life.
Peter challenged me from the beginning. I fell off during my second lesson and during each of my first six lessons with Logan Harris. He bucked, stopped at jumps, and found every possible way to test me. Instead of giving up, I kept getting back on. Peter was a young, green horse, and I was just beginning my eventing journey, so we were learning and growing together. Over the years, we moved from Green As Grass to Starter, Beginner Novice, and eventually Novice, proving that all of those difficult lessons and hours of work were worth it.
Just as we were preparing to move up to Training, Peter was diagnosed with EPM. We had to withdraw from my Training debut three times while trying to figure out what was wrong. Months of treatment, rebuilding his strength, and regaining our confidence followed. Finally, in April 2026, we made our Training debut. Although our first attempt ended in an elimination, we kept working and learning from every competition. In June, everything finally came together when Peter and I won our first Training level division at Stable View. A month later, we traveled to Maryland and finished second at Loch Moy. Those accomplishments meant more to me than the ribbons themselves because I knew how much we had overcome to get there.
Then, just two weeks before the 2026 American Eventing Championships, I dislocated and fractured my elbow and had to have surgery. I was devastated that I wouldn’t be able to compete after working so hard to qualify, but I wasn’t going to let an injury keep me from being there. I still showed up to AEC and supported Peter and my trainer, who competed him and brought home 11th place in a huge division, as well as the TIP champion. Watching Peter compete without me was definitely bittersweet, but I was incredibly proud of what he accomplished and grateful that he still got the opportunity to show what he could do.
Missing the AEC this year has only made me more determined. My goal is to come back next year healthy, compete Peter at the American Eventing Championships myself, and continue moving up the levels together. Peter has taught me that success isn’t about never falling or never facing setbacks. It’s about getting back up, putting in the hours, and continuing to believe in the partnership you’ve built.
We are SO proud of you, Peyton. Your determination to keep showing up through every challenge is what eventing is all about. We can’t wait to see what you and Peter accomplish next! 👏
If you have a short blurb or perspective to share, please fill out this submission form for consideration: https://www.cognitoforms.com/USEA2/VoicesOfTheUSEA
📸 Christine Quinn photo
