Madeira Equestrian Program

A special evening celebrating the riders and traditions that make Madeira Equestrian so unique!🏆✨

At our annual awards banquet, riders were recognized with historic trophies—some of which have been part of the program since the 1950s—honoring excellence both in and out of the ring.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients:

🏆 Audrey B. ’26 — Deidre Symington Trophy (Upperclassman MVP)
🏆 Ari Z. ’29 — Gay Byron Trophy (Underclassman MVP)
🏆 Rima P. ’27 — Susan’s Trophy (Most Improved)
🏆 Audrey B. ’26 — Anne Swift Cronin Trophy (Most Dedicated), awarded for the second consecutive year
🏆 Stella J. ’28 — Madeira Equestrian Sportsmanship Award
🏆 Cate D. ’26 — Jessica Leonardi Integrity Award
🏆 Rima P. ’27 — Make a Difference Award for volunteerism in the equestrian program

We also took time to recognize our graduating seniors—Audrey B., Maggie G., Cate D., Madison T., and Riya M.—for their contributions to the program and the legacy they leave behind. ❤️

Congratulations to all of our riders on a wonderful year. We can’t wait to see what comes next.

📸: Maddie S. ’25

Riders at Madeira have so many opportunities outside of the saddle to explore all aspects of the equine industry! 🐴 📚

Last week, our students had the chance to go behind the scenes at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center with Executive Director Mike Erskine, DVM, touring the operating rooms, MRI, CT scan, nuclear scintigraphy, and radiograph facilities, along with the new Sports Medicine Center. 🩺

So grateful for the chance to learn more about the cutting-edge care and innovation that supports equine athletes every day! 💫

Celebrating a great weekend for Madeira Equestrian at the Morven Park Horse Show ✨🐴

Alice B. and Audrey W. earned top ribbons in the 2’6” and 2’9” hunters, while Mary Ella S. and Madeira’s Diamanté swept all three Long Stirrup classes! 💙

⭐️SENIOR SPOTLIGHT⭐️
Madison M is from Arlington VA and has been riding for 9 years and has been a part of Madeira Equestrian for all 4 years. She is going to miss Ms. Grice’s stories and bringing brownies to team meetings. Her favorite memories are going to zones her freshman and junior year!! We will miss Madison’s love for the barn, her commitment to the riding team and being a team captain last year and her kindness!! We love and will miss you Madison!!🩷🩷🩷

The new Madeira Equestrian Center is almost ready and we are hiring! 🐴✨

The Riding Program at The Madeira School is looking for a passionate Riding Instructor to join our team beginning July 2026. This is an incredible opportunity to teach, coach, and mentor riders in a well-established hunter/jumper program just outside Washington, D.C.

From teaching beginner through advanced riders to coaching at USEF and IEA competitions, this role is perfect for an experienced equestrian professional who loves horses, education, and building strong partnerships both in and out of the ring.

📍 Year-round position
📍 Coaching + teaching + stable management
📍 Competitive show environment
📍 Beautiful 376-acre campus

If you’re ready to help shape the next generation of riders and horsewomen, we’d love to hear from you!

Learn more and apply through the Madeira website. ♥️🐌

⭐️SENIOR SPOTLIGHT⭐️
Audrey B is senior day student from Vienna, VA. She has been riding since she was 7, but started riding at Madeira in the 6th grade through the middle school program with Ms Grice. She is going to miss IEA shows with Ms. Grice, chats with Ms. Frederick, weekend lessons with Ms. Glorioso, night check at horse shows with Lara, and of course Mr. McCartney’s iconic thumbs-up responses to texts. We will miss Audrey’s humor that makes everyone laugh, her love and dedication to her horses, and her commitment to the Madeira Equestrian Team!! She is going to be attending JMU in the fall where she will major social work and plans on joining the IHSA team there! We love you so so much Audrey!❤️❤️❤️

Great rides with great friends – those are the Madeira moments we treasure the most ♥️💫