Madeira Equestrian Program

Welcome to Horse of the Week for the ’26-’27 school year! This week we have Uma🏎️ and Sunny 🌻!

Uma is a Salle-Français mare, leased by Ari Z. ’29, where they do the jumpers and the hunters together. Uma is loved for her sassy personality and her love of cuddling everyone.

Sunny is a Pinto mare and is a fundamental part of the Madeira Lesson Program. From teaching riders how to canter to jumping around a course, Sunny is always just what her riders need. She is always recognizable by her coat and her desire for more attention.

Come back next week for the next HOTW!

The Madeira Equestrian IEA team had a great second show of the season at Meadowood today, winning reserve champion out of 7 teams!
We couldn’t be prouder of our riders!

🥇Mary Ella S. ‘28 in W/T/C
🥇Sophie P. ‘29 in W/T/C
🥇Safia Y. ‘29 in W/T
🥈Ari Z. ‘29 in Novice fences
🥈Joy C. ‘28 in Intermediate fences
🥉Layla N. ‘28 in W/T
🥉Seti S. ‘29 in Intermediate fences
🥉Joy C. ‘28 in Intermediate flat
🏅4th Ari Z. ‘29 in Novice Flat
🏅4th Emi O. ’30 in Novice flat
🏅5th Seti S. ‘30 in Intermediate flat
🏅6th Anna T. ‘30 in W/T/C
🏅6th Emi O. ‘30 in Novice flat

What an amazing start of the season and we can’t wait for more to come!

The Madeira IEA team had a great debut today at Wulf Crest for the ‘26-‘27 IEA season! Special congratulations to our riders in Walk/Trot/Canter all placing in the top 6 of 10 competitors!

JV Novice over fences:
🥉Stella J. ‘28 placed 3rd
🥉 Maya W. ‘28 placed 3rd
🏅Ari Z. ‘29 placed 5th

JV Novice on the flat:
🏅Ari Z. ‘29 placed 4th
🏅Maya W. ‘28 placed 4th

JV Walk/Trot/Canter:
🥈Lillian K. ‘27 placed 2nd
🥉Mary Ella S. ‘28 placed 3rd
🏅Sophie P. ‘29 placed 4th
🏅Audrey F. ‘29 placed 6th

We can’t wait for the upcoming show season! ❤️🤍 🐌

The best way to close out the school year? At a horse show! 🐴✨

Congratulations to all of the Madeira riders who joined us at the Loudoun Benefit Horse Show. We had a fantastic week under the Oaks, gaining valuable experience, making memories, and celebrating great rides.

Now it’s time to head home for the summer as we look ahead to an exciting 2026–27 school year and the grand opening of our new Equestrian Center at the end of August! 🎉🐌♥️

☀️🐴 Sustainability meets innovation!

The new Madeira Equestrian Center will feature a revolutionary Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) roof, making Madeira one of the first schools in Virginia to incorporate this cutting-edge solar technology directly into the building’s design. ⚡️💡

Unlike traditional solar panels, the roof itself generates electricity—helping position the new facility to potentially achieve net-zero electricity usage while maintaining the beautiful aesthetic of the campus.

Set to open in Summer 2026, the new Equestrian Center represents Madeira’s commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship, and providing exceptional opportunities for generations of riders to come. ♥️🔥

A special evening celebrating the riders and traditions that make Madeira Equestrian so unique!🏆✨

At our annual awards banquet, riders were recognized with historic trophies—some of which have been part of the program since the 1950s—honoring excellence both in and out of the ring.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients:

🏆 Audrey B. ’26 — Deidre Symington Trophy (Upperclassman MVP)
🏆 Ari Z. ’29 — Gay Byron Trophy (Underclassman MVP)
🏆 Rima P. ’27 — Susan’s Trophy (Most Improved)
🏆 Audrey B. ’26 — Anne Swift Cronin Trophy (Most Dedicated), awarded for the second consecutive year
🏆 Stella J. ’28 — Madeira Equestrian Sportsmanship Award
🏆 Cate D. ’26 — Jessica Leonardi Integrity Award
🏆 Rima P. ’27 — Make a Difference Award for volunteerism in the equestrian program

We also took time to recognize our graduating seniors—Audrey B., Maggie G., Cate D., Madison T., and Riya M.—for their contributions to the program and the legacy they leave behind. ❤️

Congratulations to all of our riders on a wonderful year. We can’t wait to see what comes next.

📸: Maddie S. ’25

Riders at Madeira have so many opportunities outside of the saddle to explore all aspects of the equine industry! 🐴 📚

Last week, our students had the chance to go behind the scenes at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center with Executive Director Mike Erskine, DVM, touring the operating rooms, MRI, CT scan, nuclear scintigraphy, and radiograph facilities, along with the new Sports Medicine Center. 🩺

So grateful for the chance to learn more about the cutting-edge care and innovation that supports equine athletes every day! 💫

Celebrating a great weekend for Madeira Equestrian at the Morven Park Horse Show ✨🐴

Alice B. and Audrey W. earned top ribbons in the 2’6” and 2’9” hunters, while Mary Ella S. and Madeira’s Diamanté swept all three Long Stirrup classes! 💙

⭐️SENIOR SPOTLIGHT⭐️
Madison M is from Arlington VA and has been riding for 9 years and has been a part of Madeira Equestrian for all 4 years. She is going to miss Ms. Grice’s stories and bringing brownies to team meetings. Her favorite memories are going to zones her freshman and junior year!! We will miss Madison’s love for the barn, her commitment to the riding team and being a team captain last year and her kindness!! We love and will miss you Madison!!🩷🩷🩷