CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games Commentator
- 2016 Women’s Sports Foundation Grant Recipient
- 2016 KWPN Willy Arts Grant Recipient
- 2016 USEF Grant Recipient
- 2016 CDI U25 Wellington I-2 1st and 2nd placings
- 2016 CDI U25 Wellington YR GP Silver
- 2016 CDI U25 San Juan Capistrano YR GP Bronze
- 2016 CDI U25 Del Mar I-2 Gol
- 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival Freestyle Silver
-
2015 Future Champions Nations Cup 6th (first ever US Young Rider team)
-
2015 Future Champions Nations Cup Kur top 10
- 2015 I-1 JrYR Horse of the Year
- 2015 Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award
- 2014 KWPN Willy Arts Grant Recipient
- 2013 Kerry Koenig Memorial Riders Cup Trophy
- 2013 North American Young Rider Individual Gold
- 2013 North American Young Rider Freestyle Gold
- 2013 North American Young Rider Team Silver
- 2013 Fiona Baan Pursuit of Excellence Award
- 2013 Festival of Champions National Young Rider Champion
- 2012 KWPN FEI Horse of the Year
- 2012 USDF Silver Medalist
- 2012 USDF Youth Convention Scholarship
- 2012 USEF NAJYRC Dressage Style Award
- 2012 USDF Youth Sportsman of the Year
- 2012 USEF Dressage Youth Sportsman of the Year Nominee
- 2012 Festival of Champions National Junior Champion
- 2012 North American Junior Individual Gold Medal
- 2012 North American Junior Freestyle Bronze Medal
- 2012 North American Team Bronze Medal
- 2011 USDF Bronze Medalist
BIO
It was just before her 5th birthday when Ayden discovered her love for all things equestrian. By chance she got to ride on an old quarterhorse named Minimum Risk. She turned to her mother and said, “I found my thing.” Her focus from that day forward has never waivered. Even later in life, when her friends couldn’t understand her willingness to give up the trappings of a ‘normal’ life like football games, dances and school; Ayden has stayed focused on her dream. This focus has at times been difficult to maintain through personal and family crisis of divorces, remarriage, career changes, step-siblings and financial hardships. However, Ayden’s family has always been as supportive as they could be within their struggles.
The first big change in Ayden’s career came in 2012 after winning the National and North American Junior Championship. An opportunity arose for her to move, on two weeks notice, to Kirkland, Washington to train with the United States Equestrian Federation Dressage National Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg. Without hesitation Ayden moved, without her parents, the summer before senior year half way across the country. Her new level of training, dedication and focus earned her the 2013 National and North American Young Rider Championship. This made her the first ever rider to win back to back Gold! Among two years filled with many amazing success, it shows a lot about her attitude, positive and giving spirit that she is most proud of wining the USDF Youth Sportsman of the Year nomination for the USEF Youth Sportsman of the Year as well as the USDF Dressage Spirit Award for sportsmanship! She stated, “these awards are the kind I work to achieve every day.”
Less than one year after the move to Washington, Ayden again relocated for training and competitive opportunities. She is now located at Hampton Green Farms in Wellington, Flordia where she trains. Ayden’s current four legged partner is Sjapoer a 15 year old KWPN bred by Annemarie van Essen of Holland. Sjapoer has also earned a list of achievements among them the 2013 KWPN-NA FEI Horse of the Year! Just last week the team was awarded the 2014 Willy Arts Grant by the KWPN-NA for developing young rider teams!
Ayden says that she does not see these sacrifices as negatives as some might, she sees them as blessings and opportunities. Ayden believes she has been gifted with an early knowledge of her career path and has dedicated over a decade of work to advance herself to a high level of achievement.
Instagram: @aydenuhlir
Click Here to Book a Speaking Engagement or Appearance
Shade Global 