This week’s Practical Horseman Podcast, sponsored by Horse Week, is with Hannah Sue Hollberg. The five-star eventer has a lot on her radar right now. Earlier this year, she took over the ride on Thoroughbred gelding Business Ben from fellow eventer Allison Springer and has spent the past nine months fostering a new partnership with him. The pair has some big dates on their competition calendar this fall—and hopefully another one in the spring of 2025. 

Among her other talented horses are Capitol H I M and Harbour Pilot. Hannah Sue retired her longtime partner Harbour Pilot following his last five-star run at the 2022 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fairhill, where the pair finished in 10th. Hannah decided to retire the then 19-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, after their 12-year partnership to ensure “William” ended his career healthy and happy—and to give him the opportunity to enjoy lower-impact work. 

Hannah Sue and Capitol H I M—affectionately known as “Cheeto”—made their five-star debut at the 2022 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and competed in the CCI5* at last year’s Maryland Five Star, where they finished fourth and were the highest-placed U.S combination.  

After serving as a working student with Karen and David O’Connor from 2008 to 2011, Hannah Sue went on to become a team gold and individual silver medalist at the 2011 Pan American Games aboard Harbour Pilot. She also represented the U.S. in a number of European events, gained plenty of five-star experience and most recently placed third at the MARS Bromont CCI4*-L with Capitol H I M last June. 

In today’s podcast, we talked to Hannah Sue about what’s new on her horizons, the incredible partnerships she shares with her horses, her training philosophies—and how she finally overcame a lack of confidence through perseverance and her passion for eventing horses. 

About This Podcast’s Sponsors, Horse Week

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