Caroline Light started her show morning how she normally spends it, feeding her gelding Modelo, a banana, still in its peel.
2026 marks Light’s first time attending and competing in the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships at the picturesque Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The Evington, Virginia native is basking in this milestone opportunity with the horse of her dreams right alongside her.
Having grown up on a beef cattle farm, Light has always been surrounded by livestock, including horses. When she was younger, her mother rode often. Naturally, she took to the sport and was surprised with her first pony for Christmas at the age of six. With her parents’ support, she had no pressure when it came to riding and competed in USHJA Outreach Program classes and Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association sanctioned competitions close to home.
“I had a wonderful group of ponies that I got to show, and when I moved to horses, I had some really cool ones,” Light reminisced. “I’ve been super lucky to have grown up in the equestrian world, and my parents are super supportive.”
While attending Pony Club Quiz Championships and the Maclay Regionals as a spectator when she was a child, Caroline had a realization. “I would watch these big bay horses go around, and I would tell my mom, ‘I want a little bay hunter', that is my dream horse,” she explained.
During her freshman year at the University of Lynchburg, Light knew it was time for her to fulfill that dream she’d had all those years ago. With the help of her trainer, Ashley Holsinger, they found Modelo at Freedom Farm. They had been expecting to leave with a green horse but instead found the 2017 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Zinesse) who was “just perfect.”
“He's my best friend; he's basically me in horse form, and every day I’m so lucky to have him,” Light said with a laugh.
Modelo goes by many names at home: “Miggy Moo,” “The Moo Moo,” simply “Miguel,” or more affectionately just “Miggy.” Caroline described him as a goofy guy. When standing in the cross ties, he’ll often hold his leg in the air to beg for a treat because he knows he's not allowed to paw. Miguel has a snack of choice: bananas, peel, and all. When home, he’s ever far from his crew, which includes an emotional support dwarf mini pony and a mini pony. Both keep him company in the field.
Light placed in the top 20 at the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs at the USHJA Amateur Festival – East, and she’s back in the ring Thursday, June 25, competing in the Adult Amateur Hunter 3’ 18-35 division. For her, it’s been about more than ribbons. It's about the feeling of being part of something bigger than herself.
“I'm just so grateful for the opportunity to be here and to have the experience of cantering around the Walnut Ring for the first time is so wonderful. I never dreamt that I would be here doing this and here I am,” said Light of the opportunity to compete in the championship for amateurs that debuted in 2025. “The community here is amazing, being able to come out of the ring and see your friends, and even those who maybe you don't know, all clapping for you just as loudly is really special.”
Fresh off of graduating Summa Cum Laude just a month ago, Light is heading to the University of South Carolina to pursue her master’s degree in accounting with a focus on taxation – all while balancing a full-time role at a wealth strategies firm, where she’s worked since 2023, and continuing to compete on a national level. Miguel is making the trip to “The Palmetto State” with her, and she is embracing the true amateur lifestyle with an open heart, forever grateful for every moment she spends in the saddle with the little bay horse of her dreams.