When Braden Speck’s trainer, Erin Strader, received a phone call in 2019 from longtime friend, Annie Goodwin, telling her she had the perfect horse for Speck, no one could have predicted just how far the partnership would go. What began as a horse to heal Speck’s heart, has evolved into a remarkable journey of resilience and partnership, with Speck and BSF Liam now preparing to make their CCI5* debut.
BSF Liam, simply known as “Liam,” is a 16.2 hand grey Connemara/Thoroughbred cross. No stranger to the Connemara breed, Speck said it was one of the main things which drew him to the gelding.
“It was an instant connection,” he said. “The first pony my sister and I rode was a Connemara and he was a saint. I think that’s part of the reason I liked Liam so much. He’s got the Connemara attitude and brain which reminded me so much of him.”
At the time, Speck wasn’t searching for his next top-level prospect. After a series of setbacks and personal losses, he was simply looking for a horse he could enjoy. Liam, who has been trained for the hunter ring before transitioning to eventing, fit the bill perfectly.
“It didn’t matter to me if we went Intermediate or Preliminary,” Speck said. “As long as we were having fun, I would have been happy.”
Their early partnership was tested soon after. Later that November, Speck tore his ACL playing ice hockey, sidelining him from riding. His sister stepped in to keep Liam going while he recovered. Once Speck was healed, he returned to the saddle, and the pair quickly picked up right where they left off - stronger, more confident, and ready to move up the levels.
“We decided to really take our time,” Speck explained. “We kept applying the same principle every year. We spent two years at Intermediate and two years at Advanced, and now we both feel ready to take on the five-star in Kentucky.
The road to Kentucky was anything but straightforward for the pair. The 2025 season proved to be a rollercoaster for the duo. Right before the start of the 2024 Kentucky Three Day Event, Liam suffered an injury to his patella. Speck sent him to the New Bolton Center for surgery, while simultaneously navigating the stress of applying to vet school.
“We originally planned on going to Kentucky last year, but because of his injury we had to press hold and change our goals,” Speck said. “Our new plan was to compete at Morven, make sure Liam was comfortable and in peak fitness, and go from there.”
The patience paid off. Speck and Liam went on to compete in the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final, marking their CCI4*-L debut. It was there; Kentucky once again came into focus for 2026.
As the five-star draws closer, Speck and his team have carefully reevaluated their training and competition schedule to maximize the opportunity for the duo. Through every adjustment, Liam has taken everything in stride and feels prepared and ready for his 5* debut.
“He’s so smart and really loves his job,” said Speck. “When we brought him back after the injury, there was no hesitation from him. He was totally in game mode and super happy to be back out competing.”
Speck believes Liam’s enthusiasm shines brightest on cross country. “There’s no question about it,” he said. “His ears are always pricked forward at the fence. He understands what’s going on and is super confident about it, which makes him really fun to ride.”
Heading into the five-star, Speck hopes to keep his fault free cross-country streak going.
“He’s so intelligent and knows exactly what is going to happen before it happens,” he said. “We’ve been together for so long and he’s my only horse, so we’re definitely on the same page. We both have the same eye; if I see something, then he trusts it, and if he sees something, I trust it too.”
Despite the intensity of competition, Liam’s cross-country day routine is surprisingly relaxed. He starts the morning with a nap in his stall, followed by a long graze and hand walk. Competition weekends are also very much a family affair.
“My mom, girlfriend, and sister tag team the grooming,” Speck said. “My girlfriend will primarily groom until Friday and then my sister, who has competed in the four-star level herself, will take over.”
Above all, Speck plans to enjoy every moment of the event. Reaching this level with Liam is something none of them expected and is an accomplishment the pair will always cherish.
“We really didn’t think he would end up being a top eventing horse,” he said. “I think Annie would be laughing right now and probably kicking herself a bit if she knew there was a five-star horse in there; she probably would have kept him herself! I’m glad she was looking out for me. She knew I was having a rough time with losing horses and she found one she knew I would form such a special connection with.”
When it comes to goals for Kentucky, Speck keeps things simple: a clear cross-country round and a successful, positive completion. “We’re aiming for a number, not a letter,” he said. “It would mean the world if we could go clear over the fences.”
For Speck, the goals reflect a deep appreciation for the journey he and Liam have taken to get to where the partnership is today. Every milestone, setback, and carefully measured step forward, has reinforced just how meaningful this event is for everyone involved. Kentucky is the culmination of years of trust and an unexpected partnership which has grown far beyond its original purpose.
“It will be so special getting to go down centerline on Friday and start something we all never dreamed would happen,” said Speck. “I love Liam to death. He’s amazing, and now he’s stuck with me for life.”