Charlie Brown is a loveable and deeply determined main character who first appeared in the newspaper during the 1950s in a comic strip titled, “Peanuts.” The 8-year-old boy became known for his endless adventures with friends Woodstock and Snoopy, and eventually inspired a television series, “The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show” and many tv specials.
The name Charlie Brown is familiar to millions of Americans, but in the equestrian world, it belongs to a different kind of star.
Charlie Brown is a 2016 chestnut Hanoverian gelding (Chaccato x Levade) owned by Charlotte Rossetter and cared for by groom Carlos Soto. Paired with junior athlete Lizzie Rinehart (Carmel, Ind.), “Charlie” has quickly become one of the horses to watch as the 2026 season progresses.
For Lizzie, a life with horses was never really a question.
As the daughter of professional hunter and jumper athletes Richard and Catherine Rinehart, she grew up in the saddle and developed a passion for riding at an early age. By the time she was 11, Lizzie had transitioned from training with her parents to training with Don Stewart. Later, U.S. Jumping athlete Hunter Holloway joined her team as a coach, helping Lizzie expand her skills in the jumper ring.
“Don has taught me everything I know about equitation,” Lizzie said. “He has always supported me and my goals to be competitive and successful.”
As Lizzie continued to develop as a rider, she eventually began riding under Mckenzie Canard. Through that connection, Charlie Brown found his way into her life.
“I tried Charlie about two years ago when he had just come to the U.S.,” she said. “I fell in love with him right away, but at the time he was too green, and we both needed some more show miles before we partnered up.”
Lily Epstein (Coral Gables, Fla.) took over the ride in 2025 and together they attended top championships, securing third place at the 2025 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final and a fourth-place finish at the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-East that year. Charlie’s exceptional performance was recognized at the both finals where he was awarded the Doris H Clark Memorial Trophy for the Medal, and the Grappa Trophy at Talent Search, both of which are awarded to the best horse of the competition.
When Rossetter purchased the talented gelding, it seemed only fitting that Lizzie would get another opportunity to ride him.
“I started riding him in January of this year,” Lizzie said. “I was already riding some of Charlotte’s other horses and the timing felt right to try him again.”
The timing could not have been better.
Since joining forces, Lizzie and Charlie Brown have emerged as one of the most successful partnerships on the East Coast, collecting top placings and championship titles throughout the 2026 season.
Among their notable accomplishments are, winning the $100,000 Dudley & Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship and the 2026 Hermès Equitation Championship, and claiming WIHS Overall honors at the Kentucky Spring Classic, and taking second place in the Maclay Regional Championship in Michigan.
“He has given me so much courage,” Lizzie said. “When I walk into the ring with him, I know what we are capable of and have so much faith in the two of us.”
Her confidence has continued to grow throughout the season.
Having competed successfully in for several years, Lizzie has refined both the technical and mental aspects of her riding with Charlie. “I’ve continued to develop my understanding of track and pace with him,” she said. “Riding him has given me the strength to know I can go into the ring, ride the course smoothly, and come out having completed a round I'm proud of.”
In Lizzie’s eyes, Charlie possesses all the qualities of a top competition horse.
“He’s not too quiet, but not too hot. He’s the perfect temperature for me,” she said with a laugh. “Charlie really knows and loves his job, and I believe he just wants to do the best for his rider.”
The duo are competing at this year’s Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-East, hosted at the USET Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, N.J. The competition will run October 3-4. This championship will mark Lizzie’s first appearance at the event.
“I am excited to tackle the new format,” Lizzie said. “We’ve been practicing the flat pattern a lot and it’ll be fun to go straight into the gymnastics and do something different. My goal is to have solid rounds with Charlie and make everyone proud.”
For Lizzie , success at the Finals is not defined soley by placings or awards. Instead, it is about putting together quality rounds and ensuring she gives her horse every opportunity to shine.
“I want to be able to walk out of the ring feeling like I gave Charlie the best chance possible to show off,” she said. “This is my first finals so I want to enjoy it, learn as much as I can, and have good, positive rounds.”
Beyond the competition arena, Lizzie plans to spend as much time with Charlie as possible.
“He’s the sweetest horse and is so easy to love,” she said. “I’ll be spending a lot of time with him at the show and hanging out with him whenever we’re not competing.”
While Lizzie shares a special bond with Charlie, she may not hold the title of his biggest fan.
“Charlie’s groom, Carlos, absolutely adores him,” she said. “He loves him and Charlie definitely loves him back. I always know that he’ll be at the gate waiting and cheering for us after a round.”
Soto travels with Charlie to most of his competitions and closely follows his progress wherever he is. Even when he cannot attend a show in person, Lizzie says he makes sure to watch them compete on the livestream.
“He is definitely Charlie’s biggest fan and our number one cheerleader,” Lizzie says.
As the season continues, Lizzie hopes to finish the indoor season on a high note and continue building the momentum she and Charlie have created together. Following Talent Search Finals, they will turn their attention to the ASPCA Maclay Finals and Washington International Horse Show.
No matter where the rest of the season takes them, Lizzie knows she can count on Charlie.
Whether he is stepping into the championship area or quietly waiting at the barn afterward for his favorite snack of cake, Charlie Brown remains the same horse Lizzie fell in love with years ago; a talented competitor, dependable teammate, and a “teddy bear” always ready for the next adventure.