Ocala, FL – This week’s Ocala Sunday Spotlight shines on second-place winner of the 2024 WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship powered by Gary Yeomans Ford, Maddie Tosh of Milton, Georgia. As the daughter of Hunt and Mandy Tosh, the 18-year-old athlete has been immersed in the equestrian industry from a young age. Today, she stands as a highly accomplished hunter, jumper, and equitation athlete. We had the opportunity to catch up with Maddie to learn more about her background and her journey competing in this year’s championship.
WEC: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Both of my parents are trainers, so it’s been a family business mentality from the start. I started out competing in the hunter divisions and have been fortunate to ride some truly talented ponies throughout my junior career. I was champion at Pony Finals a few times and actually got USEF Horse of the Year honors on three different ponies.
Right now, I am focusing on all three disciplines: hunters, jumpers and equitation. I’ve receive so much support from Betsee Parker and the Wheeler family, who have allowed me to ride their incredible horses. This support has been instrumental in my junior career, and I can’t think them enough for the opportunity every day.
WEC: What would you say is your favorite discipline?
Hunters have always held a special place in my heart because it is what my dad’s business is based off of. I love the equitation too, especially with my incredible equitation horse, Daktari, who is probably my favorite horse of all time. My jumpers are also so much fun. It’s more of a no pressure environment – it’s just give it what you got.
WEC: Tell us about some of the horses that you have been riding.
My equitation horse, Daktari, who we call ‘Doc’ is owned by Betsee Parker, he’s pretty incredible. He’s been a game-changer for me and together, we won the 2023 WIHS Equitation Final. He is still pretty young but is such a special horse. I am so lucky to be able to ride him. We’ve really grown up together, and now I know him like the back of my hand. He tries so hard for me, and to me, he’s the best horse out there.
Twain is my main hunter, owned by the Wheelers. We’ve had him since he was a pre-green horse from Europe, and it’s been so much fun to watch him grow. My dad showed him and won at Incentive Finals. It’s been a really cool experience to produce him as a family because we have all done our own fair share of riding him.
Kennedy Vd Rechri, is my jumper, and he’s been an absolute blast to ride. He was my first real jumper. He showed me the ropes and has been my steady eddy.
I’ve also been riding a few others. Chorus, who is owned by the Wheeler family, I’ve been showing in some of the derbies which has been a lot of fun.
WEC: Tell us about your experiences showing in the WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship.
I did the class last year too and had so much fun. I think it’s special to have this class here on our home soil. It attracts so many people from around the country, and it draws great competition. The incentive to win a car is unheard of in the equitation world, and to have an added bonus for the trainers is so amazing. I hope that other shows start to pick up on that because WEC does such a great job making it feel so special for the riders. The atmosphere really gives off a championship feeling.
Last year they had to move it inside because of the weather, but I think everyone still had a great time. This year, it was so much fun to ride in the WEC Grand Arena. I think that ring is one of the most beautiful rings there is, well that I’ve ever seen. I get to show my jumper out there a lot, but it was a different feeling riding the hunters and equitation horses out there this week.
The class yesterday was so fun and competitive. I was joking with Eleanor [Rudnicki] after the work-off that I think we made it a little too complicated, but it was fun to be competitive and really try to go for it.
I couldn’t be more proud of ‘Doc’ [Daktari]. He was amazing like he always is. He’s so trustworthy, and in the test, I was able to really call on him, and of course, he was right there.
Congratulations Maddie on your amazing ride yesterday with Daktari in the 2024 WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship powered by Gary Yeomans Ford!