This week’s Practical Horseman Podcast episode, sponsored by USRider, is with five-star eventer Sydney Elliott. She spoke with us in mid-November as the competition season was winding down after her CCI4*-L win with QC Diamantaire at The Event at TerraNova in Myakka City, Florida.

To give you a little more background on Sydney, she first competed at the five-star level at the Kentucky Three-Day Event with Cisko A in two thousand sixteen. Two years later, the pair made their U.S. team debut at the Great Meadow International Nations Cup, helping the U.S. to a third-place finish. With her partner of nearly 10 years, QC Diamantaire, also known as Q, Sydney tallied numerous Nations Cup appearances, including earning team silver in Aachen, Germany in two thousand twenty-one and in Boekelo, the Netherlands that same year. In two thousand twenty-three, Sydney and QC Diamantaire competed in the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, collecting the silver medal as part of the U.S. team. Last year, they were the traveling reserve pair for the Paris two thousand twenty-four Olympic Games. Since then, the duo has continued to have strong competition results.

In addition to her success on the international stage, Sydney runs Elliott Eventing, a training business, based in Benton, Louisiana, and Hoffman, North Carolina.

In our discussion, Sydney talks about what she enjoys about working with horses, her training philosophy, how she handles her show nerves and more.

About This Episode's Sponsor, USRider

This Black Friday, give yourself the gift of peace of mind with USRider—the roadside assistance program designed specifically for horse owners. Whether you’re hauling to a show, trail ride, or simply heading home, USRider is there for you and your horses with 24/7 nationwide coverage. And right now is the perfect time to join.

For a limited time, new members can save 20% on any USRider membership during our Black Friday promotion with code BFUSR25. Just go to USRider.org and enter code BFUSR25.

Don’t miss your chance to protect yourself, your passengers, and your horses with the only plan built for life on the road with horses. Visit USRider.org today and ride with confidence this Black Friday!