In the Ring with Brooke Hagerty

Meet Brooke Hagerty, a rider who's taken both the equitation and hunter rings by storm. Her recent, and most remarkable accolades include winning both the THIS Medal Finals and USHJA Jump Seat Finals at Capital Challenge, Grand Large Junior Hunter Champion at the National Horse Show, an 8th place finish in this years Maclay Finals, and reserve champion at Junior Hunter Finals. Her talent, consistency, and versatility from the equitation and hunter rings is obvious, but let's get to know the brains behind these blue ribbons and podium finishes.

You shined at many venues this fall, but specifically found yourself in the winners circle at two equitation finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. What was that weekend like? How did you handle the pressure?

Capital Challenge was my first horse show on the East Coast in 2021, so it has always been one of my favorites. This past year, I went into the weekend with big expectations. I knew my horse and I were prepared, and could win both. It really came down to my mental game; I tried not to let my mind get in the way of myself or my horse, which is something I've been working on a lot. Winning the gymnastics phase of Jump Seat Finals was one of my favorite moments of the year. I wanted it so bad, and realizing that I did it was an incredible feeling. In the final phase I just wanted to stay cool and ride like I did in the gymnastics phase. It ended up being the best day. Going into THIS finals I wanted to finish the week successfully, but a lot of the pressure was gone, I just wanted to have a good time. I actually wasn't super happy with my first round. I think I was coming back in fourth and I knew I could do so much better, so that was my goal and plan for the second round; I decided to take all the inside turns and put it all out there. Obviously, it worked out and it was really just such a special weekend overall.

Who has been the most influential person in your career thus far?

Definitely my trainer, Val Renihan. She is so smart, knows so much about the sport, and she cares so deeply. She pushes me just as much I need to be pushed, especially in this past year. I had a lot of ups and downs stepping up to the big equitation, and it was really hard at times. But, I trusted her and her process, put in a lot of work, and it really paid off. I started riding with her when I was 13, and at that point I had never done a 3'3 class. She challenged me, threw me right into all of the lessons and I had to figure it out. She's obviously one of the best equitation trainers in the country and I feel really lucky to learn from her every day. 

What are some short term and long term goals of yours?

My short term goals are just to focus on the winter equitation finals and success in those. I really just want this year to be consistent since I still have another year in the juniors after this. I want to qualify for everything and make seconds rounds or even ribbons. A long term goal for me is moving up in the jumpers- I’ve done a bit but I want to start taking it more seriously because I feel it helps so much in every ring. I'd also love to do derby finals with my hunter either this year or next. 

My sister and I not only work on this blog together, but also grew up riding together. Riding has helped me build a unique bond with my sister and made us grow closer, but tell me your experience riding, growing up, and getting to share special moments with your sister, Kate. 

We're definitely super close and I'm really glad we get to do this together. It's a crazy world and it's so nice to have someone in your corner all the time no matter what. We're not that competitive with each other; if I'm not winning I just hope she does. Living in Oregon, my parents aren't able to come to every horse show so a lot of the time it's just us living, ranting, and riding together. I honestly couldn't imagine not having my sister do the same sport as me. Especially at Maclay Finals this year, she was 5th, I was 8th; it was her last Maclay Finals and my first. It was a really fun moment to close out her junior career and to see how far we've both come. I'm glad she beat me!!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given while riding?

Less is more. As I ride more horses or even just my own it can be super easy to overthink it, but I’ve found that it really is true. You don’t need to over complicate it, get a good canter and feel out the rest. I’ve definitely found staying still and letting the distance come to you is best, especially in the hunters. 

Who has been the most significant  horse so far in your riding career? 

I would say my equitation horse Astro De Ravel/Finn. I’ve had him for a year now and just in that time I’ve learned so much. He was the first "fancy" equitation horse and it was definitely a learning curve for me. He's obviously so experienced so I really had to learn how to do the eq on his level so we could be on the same page. He’s so smart and picks up on everything, so I had to work on my mental game a lot for me but also for him! The last thing I wanted to do was get in his way, he just brought my riding to the next level and I’m so lucky to have him. 

What is something you or your barn does at home that sets you apart from others and sets you up for success at shows?

We do a lot of preparation, especially before finals season, that makes me feel so ready to compete. We never jump the horses at home too much, I never jump my hunter and my equitation horses rotate lessons- or I lesson a horse that is at Val’s. It’s a little different preparing for indoors vs. showing weekly like at WEF. Prepping for indoors is another level. We set a new course at least every other day in our small indoor. Val even gives us 18 jump courses, most jumps being related, with a goal of being able to nail it on the first attempt. We usually set this all around a 3 foot height so its lighter on the horses and more challenging for us. It’s so nice going into indoors never feeling worried about a course because I know we’ve practiced everything, if not crazier, they could throw out there for finals. 

Is there something that sticks out in your riding career as a defining moment or something that helped you get to where you are now?

Junior hunter finals this year. It was my second time doing JHF, so I had the goal to do better than the last; I really wanted a tricolor this time around. It was the first time I really felt pressure, didn't crack under it, and I rose to the occasion. It really gave me confidence that I figured out the best way to control my mind and helped a ton closing out the year. Cash, my junior hunter, is definitely my heart horse so it was just a great moment all around, but also super confidence building. 

What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 show season?

I’m excited to do the USET and WIHS eq classes more. I just got another equitation horse who jumps the open water, so I’m excited to do USET finals for the first time and hopefully the WIHS Finals as well. I’m an older in the junior hunters this year too, so I’m excited for a new division and to have a little change with that. Aiming to start getting back into the jumpers this year as well!

Rapid Fire 🔥

3 things you can always find with you at horse shows

🔥Chapstick, some sort of stress reliever (for at the ingate), boot shiner

Favorite thing to do outside of riding?

🔥Shopping and hanging out with my friends

Sweet or Savory? 

🔥Sweet

One show that is on your dream horse show list?

🔥Hampton Classic

Biggest pet peeve in riding?

🔥Blaming mistakes on the horse or over jumping/showing horses

Thank you so much, Brooke, for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us for this post! Anyone else you'd like to see "In the Ring"? Let us know!!!