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SIDELINESMAGAZINE | July/August 2026
How did you get involved with horses
and what’s your earliest memory?
I started riding at 6 years old when my
family lived in Colorado. At the time, I was
on a soccer team, but I became much more
interested in the horses at a stable down the
road from our house. I spent every chance
I could at the barn, and eventually I even
got kicked off the soccer team for galloping
around the soccer field instead of running
laps. From that point on, horses were all I
wanted to do.
What special people and horses
have helped you along the way?
God, my parents and my trainer. I couldn’t do
any of this without God or my parents. My
mom, who competed in hunter/jumpers when
she was younger, introduced me to the horse
world. She is always there for me, no matter
what kind of day I’m having, cheering me on
and supporting me through every hard day or
good day. My dad helps with so much behind
the scenes and is also the best horse-trailer
driver around.
My trainer, Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis—I’m
the rider I am today because of her. She has
always believed in me even when I doubt; she
has given me so many opportunities to ride
different horses that has made me a better
rider overall. I’m also really thankful for my
barn family at Class Act Farm. We are all
really close and there for each other.
The horses I’ve ridden have also taught me
so much. Connor—Conway Lad—owned by
Gigi and Alexandra Geiger, was my first pony.
He is a 14.3-hand Connemara. I wasn’t very
confident when I started riding and he helped
change that while taking me from crossrails all
the way to the Novice level. Another special
horse is Mattie—Time To Showman—owned
by my trainer. He is a young Connemara
whom she bought when he was only 3 years
old. She gave me the opportunity to learn
how to help produce him, and together we
went to his first recognized show at the
Starter level. Just last month, we competed at
the Novice level.
And then there’s Peter, my 14.1h Welsh/
Thoroughbred cross pony, Way Too
Marvelous BSR. He has taught me what
it truly means to build a partnership with a
horse. What makes Peter so special to me is
our relationship was built on trust, patience,
and learning never to give up on each other.
When I first got him, it definitely wasn’t
easy—I think I spent more time on the ground
than in the saddle. Everything was new and
overwhelming for him, and it took months
At just 12 years old, Addison “Addie” Borton is already making an impressive mark in the eventing world. The sixth grader from
Winter Garden, Florida, has spent the past five years training with Jennie Jarnstrom-Dennis, steadily moving up the levels with her
ponies. In 2023, Addie became the youngest rider competing at the American Eventing Championships at just 9 years old, where
she earned a top 10 finish in the Junior Beginner Novice division. Most recently, she and her 14.1-hand pony, Way Too Marvelous
BSR, aka Peter, completed became Modified Champions in the Area III Regional Championships. Addi also became the youngest
rider ever selected for the U.S. Emerging Athletes U21 Program, and is currently ranked #1 USEA Junior Modified Rider in the nation.
“There’s not one thing that makes someone as good as she is,” Jennie said when asked about Addie’s growth as a rider. Jennie
described Addie as very motivated and very mature, adding, “When things don’t go well, she’s very open to listening to my
advice on why and how to do something.” Jennie also praised Addie’s natural ability with horses and strong work ethic. “She
has an ability—she’s very talented, obviously—but she’s happy to work hard to get that opportunity. She gets on and makes
almost every single horse go better, not just her pony. Addie is very good at leading a horse in the right direction.”
When she’s not competing, Addie enjoys spending time with her family, including her mom, dad, little sister Emma, and her
NaNa, along with the family’s two dogs, Rocco and Paisley. Horses are truly a family affair in the Borton household: 8-year-old
Emma recently began competing at the Starter level with her pony Mr. Bones. Through it all, Addie continues to balance
competition with supporting younger riders at the barn and building strong partnerships with horses, all while staying
grounded in the love of the sport that first drew her to riding years ago.
ADDIE
BORTON
MAKING HER MARK
AS A YOUNG EVENTER
By Cecilia Cole
Addie has worked hard to build
a relationship with Peter.