Sidelines November - December 2026

This Issue! The 2026 Horsepeople of the Year and Holiday Gift Guides for the Horseperson in your life!

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SIDELINESMAGAZINE | November/December 2026

S I D E L I N E S • 2 0 2 6 H O R S E P E O P L E O F T H E Y E A R

JEN SEDLATSCHEK

When people think about the horse industry, they often think about the riders in the ring, the

horses crossing the finish line, or the trainers standing ringside. What they don’t always see are

the people working behind the scenes, whose dedication keeps the industry moving forward.

My sister, Jen, is one of those people.

Horses have been at the center of Jen’s life for as long as I can remember. She spent her

childhood and young adult years competing through 4-H and other equestrian organizations,

dedicating countless hours to improving as a rider and horsewoman. Her hard work culminated

in many accomplishments, including winning the Ohio State Fair dressage competition in

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SIDELINESMAGAZINE | November/December 2026

2014. But what has always stood out most

about Jen is not the ribbons she earned, it’s

her commitment to giving back to the horse

community that shaped her.

Today, Jen serves as director of marketing

and communications for Equestrian Events,

Inc. (EEI), the organization behind the

Kentucky Three-Day Event. While thousands

of spectators, riders, owners, sponsors,

volunteers and fans enjoy one of the world’s

most prestigious equestrian competitions

each year, few realize the enormous amount of

work required behind the scenes to make that

experience possible.

Jen dedicates countless evenings, weekends

and long hours leading up to the Kentucky

Three-Day Event to ensure every detail is

ready. One of her many responsibilities is

producing the official Kentucky Three-Day

Event program book, a massive undertaking

that serves as an essential resource for

competitors, sponsors, volunteers and

spectators alike. She also plays a key role in

marketing the event, promoting the sport

to new audiences, supporting ticket sales,

coordinating communications and helping

ensure that competitors, riders, grooms,

owners and fans have the information and

support they need throughout the event

week. Whether she is answering questions,

solving last-minute challenges, highlighting

sponsors or helping tell the stories of the

athletes and horses competing, her work

helps create the world-class experience for

which Kentucky is known.

Beyond her role with Equestrian Events,

Inc., Jen continues to support the industry

through her work with Winding Creek

Stable and other equestrian organizations.

Throughout her career, she has consistently

used her talents to elevate others rather than

seek recognition for herself. Whether she is

promoting an event, supporting a training

program, highlighting the achievements of

riders, or helping equestrian organizations

grow, her focus is always on strengthening the

horse community.

As someone who has attended the

Kentucky Three-Day Event for many

years, I’ve had the opportunity to see

Jen’s dedication firsthand. While most