Jennie Brannigan

Jennie Brannigan grew up in Galena, Illinois, originally riding a variety of horses under the instruction of Jane McGirk. Jennie became interested in eventing at age 13 when she became a working student for Allison Springer.

Eventually Springer went on to work for Karen and David O’Connor riding their young horses, before starting her own business; Jennie headed to California where she worked for Natalie Rooney-Pitts, who happened to be pregnant at the time. This gave Jennie the opportunity to ride many of Rooney-Pitts’ clients’ horses.

Later Jennie worked for acclaimed show jumper Susie Hutchinson, where she developed as a rider and a horsewoman while she improved her show jumping skills under the watchful eye of one of show jumping’s greats.

Balancing show jumping with competing her advanced event horse Kozmo proved a challenge, squeezing in events around her jumping schedule. When Mike Winter sent Jennie a text message asking if she would like to work for him while his wife Emma was in England, Jennie jumped at the opportunity to follow her eventing dreams.





The timing was ideal so she packed her things and made the move to Georgia. Emma Winter was out of the country for several months, during which Jennie rode horses and taught lessons at the Winters’ Wayfarer Eventing in Newnan, Georgia.

Within the past few years, Jennie has had a lot of press on her exciting rise to the top on Cooper, her talented Advanced horse. She purchased Cooper in July, 2006 as a four-year-old from Kelli McMullen-Temple when the gelding had only competed at beginner novice level. After bringing him carefully up the ranks she and Cooper won nine out of ten events at intermediate level in the 2007-2008 eventing season, placing them firmly at the top of the 2008 Adequan/USEA Gold Cup Leader Board. The jewel in their crown was bringing home team and individual gold from the 2008 NAJYRC in Parker, Colorado.

Jennie had a stellar 2009: The USEA named Jennie to the Top 10 Rider List and Cambalda was named to the 2010 Developing Rider List. Other yearly achievements include the 2008 USEA Intermediate Gold Cup Series Championship and being awarded the 2009 Jacqueline Mars Training Grant. In 2009, Jennie also ranked alongside the top riders in the USA placing 2nd on the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Leaderboard on her amazing partner, Cooper.

Jennie & Cooper were well on their way to qualifying for Rolex & potentially the 2010 WEGs when Cooper incurred an injury at Fair Hill in the fall of 2009. This injury unfortunately led to emergency colic surgery & subsequent laminitis, and eventually Jennie had to make the difficult decision to euthenize her magnificent partner.

Jennie has braved on, as any professional athelete does in this unpredictable sport. She is now focusing on Cambalda, otherwise known as “Ping”, who was also purchased from Kelli McMullen-Temple in 2008 as a 6 year old. Their relationship has matured & Ping is showing definite upper level potential, most recently winning the Intermediate Division at the Fork in early 2010!

Jennie has been working for Olympic team member Phillip Dutton at True Prospect Farm in West Grove, Pennsylvania since 2008. Being part of such a busy & successful event facility has given her the opportunity to train with the top in the industry, as well as develop her own business. Jennie has attracted her own group of private clients for training, sales & competition and is continuing to accept horses and students into her program. She can be contacted by email to schedule an appointment.

Jennie wishes to thank her trainers, family & friends who have helped her perservere during tough times in this sport & have also seen her garner many accomplishements. Jennie also appreciates the generous sponsorship of Custom Saddlery, SmartPak, Four Star Equine Therapy, and Dr. Bogenrief of Estrella Equine Hospital, Equilite, Ice Horse, Succeed, Charles Owen and Nunn Finer.

Written by Lisa Thomas & Amber Heintzberger