48 SIDELINES JUNE 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
second-to-last junior year one I will
always remember. Logan and I frst
tackled the Pessoa/USEF Hunter
Seat Equitation Medal Finals at the
Pennsylvania National Horse Show in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After securing
a win at three of the four most prestigious
Equitation Finals in the country in a
12-month period, I was feeling the
pressure going into the Maclay Finals
at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse
Tournament. Not to mention that I now
had the world watching my journey on
Animal Planet’s television show “Horse
Power: Road to the Maclay.”
No one had ever taken top prize at all
four competitions. Not only did I want
to do it for myself, but I also wanted to
do it for my family and friends who had
always supported me, and of course, for
Logan. It would be like completing the
puzzle. Winning would be amazing, but
it would be very diffcult. Logan and I
executed a beautiful course in the frst
round, but unfortunately had a rail down
over the skinny vertical. Although I was
focused and tried my best, we dropped from fourth place to ffth after the fat going into
the fnal round. I knew if I wanted to win I’d have to take a ton of chances and really lay
everything on the line.
The judges had made it clear that the rider who was going to win was going to have to
show them something different. I realized I needed to take all the sharper turns and try
to leave out as many strides as possible everywhere to really set myself apart. All of the
time spent in the tack, the trainers who taught and encouraged me, the horses and ponies
who came before Logan, and the countless hours that my family spent at horse shows
contributed to one of the most memorable moments of my life, when my name was called
as the winner of the 2005 Maclay Finals. As great as it felt to “make history” by winning all
four Equitation fnals, the pressure I felt during those competitions was nothing compared
to what I would feel going forward, striving to prove that my junior years were not the peak
of my career.
After Indoors, Logan found a new home with fellow Horse Power barn mate and friend
Chelsea Moss. It was bittersweet for me to say goodbye, but I knew that he was in good
hands and that I would still get to visit him on a regular basis. In fact, I still see him nearly
every day. My last junior year I focused on my jumper career spending time honing the
skills I would need moving forward in those divisions.
After my junior career, I attended Brown University and trained solely with Max Amaya at
Stonehenge Farm focusing on competing Onira and my other jumpers. It was hard for me to
balance my studies and schoolwork with riding, but it was important for me to earn a college
degree. I am so grateful for Max’s steadfast attention to detail regarding my horses and my
career not to mention everything he taught me. I managed to plan my classes in such a way
that I could maximize my time competing. I took a heavy load in the fall semesters so that
my spring schedule was lighter, allowing me the fexibility to compete against the world’s
top grand prix riders at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.
My career thus far has been rigorous but rewarding, made up of many successful
competitions and learning experiences. I am now focused on climbing the World Ranking
List. I have set my sights high and abroad. My current trainer Conor Swail and I will be
competing all summer and there is a lot of travel, adventure and confusion coming my way.
I am excited to see what lies ahead for me in 2013 and I look forward to sharing it with you!
Brianne and Logan take a victory gallop in 2004.
Photo by Al Cook Photography
Brianne talks through the course at the
2012 Washington International Horse
Show with Mallory Johnson, winner of
the Sidelines Magazine “Course Walk
with a Grand Prix Rider.”
Photo by Grace Darnell
Editor’s Note: Brianne Goutal became a household name in equestrian homes in 2005 when Animal Planet aired the
six-part television show about the Big Equitation Finals called “Horse Power: Road to the Maclay.” It was wonderful
reality television and young riders today still watch it on DVD and dream of being like Brianne and the other riders
featured on the show. Brianne’s junior years are behind her and she is now an accomplished grand prix show jumper.
Sidelines is thrilled to welcome her to our family and I know you will enjoy her adventures as she continues her travels
– from the Road to the Maclay to the Road to the Grand Prix.