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When the buzzer sounds and you’re heading to the first jump, there’s no time to think about how well you know your horse—you just have to ride what’s underneath you. Few people understand that challenge better than Eleanor Rudnicki, winner of the 2025 Platinum Performance USEF Talent Search East Finals.
A professional rider for Berry Porter at Brookside Pine Farm in Conroe, Texas, Rudnicki’s path to victory depended on a skill she’s spent years perfecting: the ability to adapt instantly to a new horse.
“I think I’ve learned how to figure one out quickly,” she said on The Plaidchat. “It comes from years of catch riding—just getting on, picking up a gallop, and feeling what you have.”
The Catch Rider’s Instinct
Rudnicki’s education in adaptability began early. When she was just 13, the horse she’d bought to compete in the equitation ring went lame, leaving her without a regular mount. Rather than slowing her down, it gave her a crash course in catch riding.
“Berry had a lot of very experienced horses that were stepping down,” she recalled. “So I got to practice on really top-quality ones and of course the greener ones too.”
That constant variety sharpened her instincts and taught her to identify what each horse needed almost immediately. “The first thing I do when I get on a new horse is just pick up a gallop and test how light they are in the bridle,” she said. “You can tell a lot right away—how well they turn each way, if they’re stiffer on one side, or if they drift. Then I’ll gallop the jumps to see what kind of rideability I have on the backside.”
Those first few moments in the saddle, she explained, tell her nearly everything she needs to know. “I’ll do a couple lead changes and make sure they’re easy or figure out what I have to do to set them up. From there, it’s pretty straightforward.”
The Ultimate Test
That skill set proved invaluable during the 2025 Talent Search Finals. Rudnicki entered the weekend planning to compete on one of Porter’s younger horses, but after a disappointing warmup, she knew she needed to pivot.
“Right as I stepped out of the ring, Emily Smith walked up and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got this horse we brought as a backup. You can use him if you want,’” Rudnicki said. “I hopped on, jumped a couple of fences, and decided to go for it.”
The new horse, Qwantreau, had been showing in the jumper ring with little equitation experience. Still, the pair clicked. “He just got better and better through all three phases,” she said. “He took some breaths, learned a lot, and was so willing.”
By the final day, the connection paid off. After three intense phases and a top-four horse swap, Rudnicki rode away with the championship—a win that reflected not just skill, but the confidence to trust her instincts.
Reading the Ride in Real Time
In the Talent Search, riders who reach the final four must switch horses and return to the ring almost immediately. It’s a moment that demands calm analysis and complete focus.
“When I get on, I always start the same way—pick up a gallop and see what I’ve got,” she said. “I got lucky in that class. One of the horses, Julius, actually lives with Berry, and I do all of his schooling rounds at home, so I knew him well. The other two were both very nice, straightforward horses that I could just get on and gallop.”
Watching her in the ring, it’s clear those habits aren’t just routine. They’re part of a methodical system built through years of practice, observation, and trust in her own feel.
Calm Under Pressure
Rudnicki admits that being a catch rider can be high-pressure. “Someone’s spending a lot of money for you to horse show,” she said. “They want you to win. They want you to show the horse well. So you really only get a few jumps to show what you can do.”
That pressure, she explained, is what separates the good riders from the great ones. Success depends less on memorized technique and more on communication and composure. “It’s about feeling what the horse needs in the moment, not forcing your plan onto them,” she said.
Her experience in both equitation and jumper rings has made her more adaptable than ever. “As a professional, I’ve had to think faster about the track and figure out how to change my plan as needed to help the horse balance and clear the jump,” she said.
Why Adaptability Matters
The ability to think on your feet isn’t just a competition skill. It’s a mindset that defines great equestrians. In an industry where horses vary in temperament, ability, and background, being able to adjust quickly is key to keeping them confident and rideable.
“The biggest thing catch riding taught me is to really listen to the horse,” Rudnicki said. “You can’t make every horse go the same way. You have to figure out what works for that individual.”
That approach paid off not just with Qwantreau, but across her career. From green hunters to seasoned equitation veterans, Rudnicki’s adaptability has earned her top results, loyal clients, and respect as a rising professional.
The Lesson for Every Rider
For Rudnicki, adapting on the fly is about more than quick thinking. It’s about humility and partnership. “It’s really about getting things done instead of being absolutely perfect,” she said.
Her story proves that you don’t need the perfect setup or the fanciest horse to succeed. What matters most is the ability to stay present, feel the ride, and make smart, thoughtful choices in the moment.
Want more insight from Eleanor Rudnicki? Listen to her full interview on The Plaidcast and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform for more conversations with the most influential voices in the equestrian world.
