Each year during the winter season, we look to highlight some of the amazing young equestrian riders who bring their future star power to Wellington. Across the next few pages, you are invited to meet some of these talented riders.
With a record number of young equestrians becoming prominent throughout the industry, we are just touching a small handful of this elite group. After rebounding from the challenges over the last two years, many of the up-and-coming rising stars came to Wellington this winter to win at every level of competition and in a wide range of disciplines, from jumping to dressage and polo.
Although young, these riders put in an amazing amount of the time and effort to show with the confidence needed to succeed. It has been great to watch some of these riders grow up right here in Wellington, as well as those who travel from around the globe to compete at the amazing venues that Wellington has to offer.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the four riders profiled here, and many others, as they continue to advance in their arena and hopefully onto the world stage one day.
Avery Glynn
Story and Photo by Tori Bilas/Phelps Media Group
Junior Hunters, WIHS medals and the USET/Platinum Performance Talent Search 3* are just a few of the many prestigious classes that Avery Glynn of Petaluma, California, has topped as she aimed for more wins at this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival. At just 17 years old, the young rider is making a name for herself on both coasts, sweeping junior hunter and equitation classes in every ring she steps foot in, and in the best of company.
Daughter of professional equestrian trainer Hope Glynn, Avery has been surrounded by horses since a young age and is now learning the ropes of the sport from professionals all over the country, including the Ingram family, based in Wellington for the winter, and Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run, all of whom hired Avery as a working student during her time in Wellington.
This young equestrian rider is building a foundation for a profession in the equestrian world, already teaming up with major brands she believes in, including the BEMER Horse-Set, marking the first equitation and junior rider that the prominent brand works with.
Sarah Tight
Story by Sydney Jones | Photo by Georgie Hammond
With young riders pioneering the future of equestrian sports, it is paramount that these athletes are in an environment that supports their development as riders, as well as people to propel them into the next phase of their career. This is true for Sarah Tight, a 13-year-old athlete who trains with Carriage Hill Farms. Sarah has had her sights set on competing at a high level from the early age of four years old.
Currently competing in the 3’-3’3 equitation, Sarah has goals to continue her growth and get to the top of the equitation divisions. Although still a young rider herself, Sarah hopes to encourage and inspire both current and future young riders in the sport. “A piece of advice I would like to share with other young athletes is to take the time to build a relationship with your horse and always have fun no matter what the outcome of your round is,” she said.
McKayla Langmeier
Story by Allyson Lagiovane | Photo by Sportfot
Born and raised in East Granby, Connecticut, into a family of equestrians, McKayla Langmeier has been fully immersed in the equestrian scene her entire life. McKayla has followed in the footsteps of her parents, Linda and Kenny Langmeier, to garner many achievements by the young age of 21.
McKayla attended Auburn University, where she competed on the Auburn Equestrian NCEA team from 2018-21. Approaching the end of her junior year, she made the decision to take her riding career to the next level and turn professional. Some of her top wins include the 2015 ASPCA Maclay National Championship, marking the first time a mother and daughter have both held the coveted title.
McKayla has also held top titles at events such as HITS Saugerties, Spruce Meadows in Calgary, the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-East, the Traverse City Horse Shows and many more. McKayla continues to ride as a professional, making a name for herself as she travels across the United States with her parents and the Kelianda Farm team.
Charlotte McLaughlin
Story by Olivia Airhart | Photo by Phelps Media Group
18-year-old Canadian show jumper Charlotte McLaughlin of Perth, Ontario, began her riding career in 2011 in the hunter ring, moving quickly through the ranks aboard It’s Coolman, finishing with her team as reserve champion in the Children’s Hunter Division at the Royal Winter Fair.
McLaughlin transitioned to the jumper ring in 2017, and just one year later she had the opportunity to represent her home nation at the 2018 FEI North America Youth Championships at Old Salem Farm, where she won team gold and individual silver. In her breakout year, she was also named the 2018 Canadian Champion at the Royal Winter Fair.
Since making a splash in the show jumping world, McLaughlin has continued to develop as an athlete under the tutelage of both Millar Brook Farm and Millar Brooke South here in Wellington. As a recipient of the Equestrian Canada Jumping Youth Bursary in 2020, McLaughlin was praised for her dedication to both the classroom as an honor roll student and as a serious competitor in the show ring. Most recently, the up-and-coming rider represented Canada yet again at the 2021 FEI North American Youth Championships in the 1.40-1.45m Junior Jumper division aboard Vantastico.
Just this past winter, McLaughlin achieved one of her lifelong goals of becoming a Tiger, making a verbal commitment to ride on Auburn University’s NCAA Division 1 equestrian team. She prides herself on being a well-rounded athlete devoting her time to both the show ring and the classroom, as well as volunteer work. McLaughlin is excited to ride for Auburn and will continue to train and show with the Millars.
