By Laura Scaletti
Portraits by Melissa Fuller
It’s not every day a rider can walk into the equitation ring, lay down impressive trips and drive away in a brand-new car, but that’s exactly what Eleanor Rudnicki did at the 2024 World Equestrian Center (WEC) Premier Equitation Cup Championship. Although Eleanor became an Amateur in December, she was able to compete in one last Junior equitation final thanks to earning enough points during her last Junior year.
“Winning the WEC Premier Equitation Cup was a great moment for me as I was anxious to get another chance at a championship after many second-place finishes at finals throughout my last year as a Junior. It was an unforgettable and encouraging feeling, and I’m very appreciative of all the people who helped make it possible, at both Brookside Pine and North Run,” Eleanor said.
While the championship helped Eleanor close out her Junior years with a bang, the Ford XLT SUV was an incredible bonus. “I previously drove a fairly old Toyota Prius, so I was super excited to get something new. I have since passed my previous car on to my brother, who is learning to drive, and am enjoying my new car in Wellington,” she said.
Goal Getter
Before shining bright under the lights at WEC, Eleanor got her feet wet in the horse world like many others—at summer camp. When Eleanor got home from camp, she started asking her parents if she could keep riding. “After a year of trying to convince my parents to let me ride again, I began to take weekly lessons with my dad at a local barn for about a year,” Eleanor said. “My mom grew up riding but took a break when she went to college. However, once I became serious about riding, she picked it back up and now owns and manages a horse rehabilitation farm, so it’s always been a family affair.”
When Eleanor was 9 years old, she got her first pony, Short Stack, aka Pancake. Never one to mess around, Eleanor set a goal to compete at Pony Finals with Pancake. At the time, Pancake was 6 years old and had been bred to be a cart pony, so Eleanor’s goals were quite lofty. “I showed her for a year or two at B- and C-rated horse shows before my parents allowed me four A-rated shows to attempt to qualify for Pony Finals. On the fourth try, I ended up qualifying and taking Pancake to the 2017 Pony Finals,” Eleanor said. “We sold Short Stack to the Korotkins right after Pony Finals and she went on to teach a slew of walk-trot kids how to ride.”
During the process of bringing Pancake along, qualifying and competing at Pony Finals, Eleanor fell in love with the ups and downs of horse showing. “After an enjoyable experience at Pony Finals, I was left wanting to do more and started looking for trainers in the area who excelled in hunters and equitation,” Eleanor said.
During their search for her next trainer, Eleanor and her parents found Berry Porter of Brookside Pine Farms. “After just one lesson with him, I knew Brookside Pine Farms was the place for me,” Eleanor said.
Eleanor became a working student for Berry when she was 13. “Berry was extremely impactful throughout my Junior career, providing me with endless opportunities with his horses and helping me make important connections throughout the horse world,” she said. “I loved learning everything about the entire industry, beyond riding and horse care.”
It wasn’t long into their partnership that Berry let Eleanor ride his horses. With the experience gained from riding Berry’s horses, eventually many other doors opened, giving Eleanor opportunities to ride for many different people.
Through Berry, Eleanor was introduced to North Run’s Missy Clark and John Brennan. “We’ve worked together on many occasions. My time with North Run brought me to new horse show venues and gave me the chance to ride a variety of talented horses,” she said.
Many of the horses that Eleanor got the ride on were new to either the equitation or hunter ring. “Getting to feel their progression and experience their moments of understanding and growth is a unique experience I fell in love with early on, and it has shaped me into a well-versed rider who feels comfortable riding and jumping nearly any horse,” Eleanor said.
In 2023, when Eleanor showed as a Junior for the final time at indoors, she rode two fancy horses who were both new to the equitation ring. “They learned so much throughout finals. Now I’ve been able to watch as both horses compete successfully in the equitation with younger students of Berry’s at WEF,” she said. “I feel proud of their growth, but more so, lucky to have played a role in the beginning of their careers.”
Equitation Experience
While Eleanor spent her Junior years in both the hunter and equitation ring, the equitation ring was always her favorite. “I enjoy the super-technical courses that require you to thoughtfully plan and execute decisions. Additionally, I love the pressure and environment that comes with equitation finals and championships, and typically find better success the higher the stakes,” Eleanor said.
At 13 years old, Eleanor won both the THIS Children’s Medal Finals and the Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3” Equitation Championship. “I won on two different horses, CF Cosmic and Quinten F. Both horses were new to me and the experience I gained was invaluable,” she said.
Eleanor believes competing in the equitation ring opened the door to many opportunities in all three rings. “By being exposed to each ring, I was able to build connections with so many amazing people in the horse show industry,” she said.
An all-time favorite Eleanor had the ride on was Berry’s equitation horse, Travis. She rode him throughout the 2021 season, finished third at USEF Medal Finals, won the first round with a 98 and was sixth at USET Finals. Eleanor immediately started showing him after he was imported in 2019.
“While Travis tried his best to learn the equitation job, I couldn’t do a lead change on him for the life of me. I was given the chance to show him again at WEF but even though he was more experienced, I still couldn’t do a lead change on him,” Eleanor said. “I thought for sure that was the last time I would get to ride him, but Berry gave me one more chance the following WEF circuit, and I was finally able to get changes and ride him well.”
Eleanor and Travis won a class their first week at WEF 2021 and had an incredible year together. “Travis taught me how to walk into the ring with confidence and always ride like a winner from the start,” she said.
Today, Eleanor is still in the equitation ring focusing on the USET classes and aiming for USET Finals this fall. Trying to balance riding and school has always been challenging for Eleanor. When she was going into seventh grade, Eleanor used a PowerPoint presentation to help convince her parents that she should go to the virtual Laurel Springs School.
“Going to Laurel Springs has made it a lot easier to live on the road and compete while also getting an education. I typically try to get as much school as I can done on Mondays and during short breaks between shows so I can focus on my riding and other responsibilities during horse shows,” Eleanor said.
As she looks toward the future, Eleanor plans on pursuing a professional riding career. “I hope to continue to grow my education of horses both in and out of the saddle,” she said. “There are so many different styles and methods of horse training out there, and I want to experience and learn as much of it as possible in order to become a well-rounded horsewoman.”
Follow Eleanor @el.rud224 on Instagram
Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com
