Caroline Nielson and Made For Naturdays Win $50,000 All-Age Non-Pro Trail

18 SEP 26 Ocala, FL

A rider in western attire guides a brown horse over red poles surrounded by colorful flowers in an outdoor equestrian arena with empty white seats in the background.

Ocala, FL – The $50,000 All-Age Non-Pro Trail opened featured competition on Friday, September 18 at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). With The Equestrian Hotel set as the backdrop in the WEC Grand Arena, a field of the nation’s top 24 non-pro competitors gathered early Friday morning for their chance to take home the coveted NSBA trophy. In the end, Caroline Nielson piloted Mary Alice Nielson’s Made For Naturdays (Machine Made x KM Little Bit Of Me) to the lion’s share of the prize money and the winning title, while trainer Blake Weis received the $5,000 winning trainer bonus.

A rider in a green shirt and black hat guides a horse around colorful obstacles and flower arrangements in an equestrian arena.
Caroline Nielson and Made For Naturdays Win $50,000 All-Age Non-Pro Trail. Photo by Shane Rux Photography.

Pattern designer Tim Kimura, builder Garry McAllister and the WEC crew crafted a technical course complete with elaborate décor throughout the pen. “There were a lot of pretty things and decorations to look at, which was a little daunting,” Nielson shared. “There were a few things in there that I was really nervous about, but afterward, it was just really fun to ride, and it rode really well.”

Made For Naturdays remained with Nielson throughout the demanding track, particularly through the slower technical work near the end. “There was a lot of tricky stuff, and it’s really hard with so much momentum going through to finish with all that slow, very meticulous stuff and all the high poles,” she said. “He was really patient; he waited for me, and he was with me every step.”

A group of people, including a rider on a horse, pose outdoors with large award checks, flowers, and trophies in front of a white building.
Caroline Nielson and Made For Naturdays are joined by Mary Roberts and Greg Wheat for their winning presentation. Photo by Shane Rux Photography.

That patience is also part of the 2020 gelding’s personality outside of the show pen. “He’s just so perfect. He is the chillest boy, sometimes a little too chill, so I have to get him going, especially with the showmanship,” Nielson laughed. “I give him mini muffins, and he does whatever I ask. There aren’t enough good things I can say about this horse. I’m really blessed.”

For Nielson, putting together a strong trip with Made For Naturdays made the victory even more rewarding. “I’m so glad it paid off, but honestly, all I could ask for was a good ride, and he was great for me,” she said. “The prize is the cherry on top, but I’m just really grateful for him.”

Two women in western attire riding horses give each other a high five during a competition. One horse has a red ribbon. Background includes greenery and a white fence.
Caroline Nielson and Caroline Cavallo celebrate their first- and second-place finishes with a high five. Photo by Shane Rux Photography.

Nielson also credited trainer Blake Weis and the team behind the pair. “I want to thank Blake Weis first and foremost for getting us all ready. He had five amateurs in this class, so that is a lot to ask for,” she shared. “And then Steffy and Mirko getting all of us ready, and my barn family. We really all support each other, and it’s just so much more special to all compete together and get to do it.”

A rider in a red jacket and black hat rides a horse past a “WEC” sign and a colorful hot air balloon decoration in an outdoor arena.
Caroline Cavallo and Hot Lopin Lily earned second place. Photo by Shane Rux Photography.

Taking second-place honors were Caroline Cavallo and Hot Lopin Lily (RL Best Of Sudden x Shes A Lopin Machine), a 2017 mare owned by Cavallo Family Trust, with a score of 234.50.

A person in a red shirt and black hat rides a brown horse through a decorated obstacle course with flowers and white fences in an outdoor arena.
Alysia Nielson and Dark Ladie rounded out the podium. Photo by Shane Rux Photography.

Rounding out the top three were Alysia Nielson and Mary Alice Nielson’s 2020 mare Dark Ladie (Mr Sherlock Holmes x I Caught You Lookin), with a score of 232.

Three people stand outdoors holding an oversized check for $5,000. Flowers and small white structures are in the background.
Tyler Schultz receiving his $5,000 random trainer bonus presented by Mary Roberts and Greg Wheat. Photo by Shane Rux Photography.

An additional $5,000 trainer bonus, awarded through a random draw, went to Tyler Schultz.

Top Three Results: 

1 Made For Naturdays, Caroline Nielson, Mary Alice Nielson | 246.5
2 Hot Lopin Lily, Caroline Cavallo, Cavallo Family Trust | 234.5
3 Dark Ladie, Alysia Nielson, Mary Alice Nielson | 232