Michael Pollard
Elite international three-day eventer, national champion, US Olympic athlete advisor, and innovator in equestrian facility design and equine welfare.
Michael Pollard
International Eventing Professional
"The hallmark of true horsemanship is listening to the horse before asking for more. When you give them perfect footing, clear expectations, and unconditional trust, their athletic scope is boundless."
— Michael PollardA Lifetime of Horsemanship & Entrepreneurship
Michael Pollard is an international equestrian with over thirty years of experience at the highest levels of three-day eventing, horse development, and equestrian entrepreneurship. From early recognition as the 2001 USEA Young Rider of the Year to capturing Team Gold at the 2011 Pan American Games, being shortlisted for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, competing globally at prestigious five-star events, and co-winning the grueling 1,000 km Mongol Derby in 2025, Michael's career has been defined by patient horsemanship and exceptional equine partnerships.
Career Milestones & Accolades
USEA Young Rider of the Year
Awarded the nation's highest honor for rising equestrian eventing talent following consistent victories across national championship levels.
Pan American Games Team Gold Medalist
Represented the United States in Guadalajara, Mexico on Schoensgreen Hanni. Team completed on historic dressage scores; individual 4th place.
U.S. Olympic Games Short-List Nominee
Short-listed for the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games eventing squad following top international showings.
Former National Champion
Captured the national title in three-day eventing, celebrated for rhythmic cross-country speed and clean stadium rounds.
Mongol Derby Co-Winner
Co-winner of the world's longest and toughest equestrian endurance race, navigating 1,000 kilometers across the Mongolian wilderness.
USEF Board Member & USOC Athlete Advisor
Served on the Board of Directors of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and as an official athlete representative advising the United States Olympic Committee.
Co-Founding FutureTrack Arenas
Co-founded FutureTrack with his father Jack Pollard, engineering proprietary footing installed at over 100 top equestrian facilities nationwide.
Special Horses
Behind every championship podium, international accolade, and endurance milestone are the exceptional equine partners whose courage, heart, and partnership defined Michael Pollard's career.
Schoensgreen Hanni
Michael's legendary championship partner for the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. The pair led the United States to Team Gold on a historic dressage score and finished 4th individually. Renowned for her fierce competitiveness, bravery over fences, and unmatched consistency at international championships.
2011 Pan American Games Team Gold Medalist and Individual 4th Place aboard Team USA.
Team USA • Guadalajara 2011
Mensa
An extraordinary Thoroughbred whose transition from the track to elite international eventing captured the equestrian world. Partnered with Michael, Mensa G seized the early lead at the prestigious Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (CCI4*/5*), earning USEA Horse of the Year honors and showcasing the supreme scope and heart of the off-track Thoroughbred.
Early leader at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* and recipient of USEA Horse of the Year honors.
USEA Horse of the Year • Rolex Kentucky Leader
Icarus ("Fly")
A legendary cross-country machine and beloved cornerstone of the Pollard family's competition string. Winner of the 2009 Jersey Fresh CCI3* (awarded the Zeppa International Trophy), Icarus also competed with distinction at Rolex Kentucky and England's Burghley Horse Trials, revered for courage, stamina, and selfless partnership.
Jersey Fresh CCI3* Winner, Zeppa International Trophy recipient, and contender at Rolex Kentucky and Burghley.
Zeppa International Trophy Recipient • CCI4* & 5* Campaigner
Perryfields Max
The foundation mount that launched Michael Pollard onto the national and international stage. Together at the 1999 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Michael and Perryfields Max delivered a breakout performance to claim the prestigious USET Markham Trophy as the Leading Young Rider, establishing the competitive benchmark for an international career.
USET Markham Trophy Winner & Leading Young Rider at the 1999 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.
USET Markham Trophy Winner • Rolex Kentucky Breakout
The Mongol Derby Horses
The Mongol Derby Horses
Semi-Feral Native Steppe Horses • Mongolia
In August 2025, Michael Pollard tackled the world's longest and most grueling equestrian endurance race—the Mongol Derby. Navigating 1,000 kilometers of untamed Mongolian steppe, mountain terrain, and desert, Michael rode roughly 30 different semi-feral native horses from horse station to horse station.
Forging instantaneous partnerships of mutual respect with these sturdy, spirited, and extraordinarily tough horses, Michael relied completely on their natural instincts and stamina, crossing the finish line to co-win the race and etching a remarkable chapter in endurance horsemanship.
Co-Winner of the 2025 Mongol Derby after 1,000 kilometers, 30+ native mounts, and 8 days of wilderness navigation.
Continuing the Tradition of Excellence
Today, Michael applies these decades of championship horsemanship and horse welfare to developing the next generation of equine athletes and riders at Pollard EQ.
In the Press
Selected publications, interviews, and features examining Michael Pollard's championship career, high-performance training, and equine leadership.
"Michael Pollard Is Back At The Top Level"
A detailed look into Michael's return to upper-echelon eventing, training methodology, and producing elite athletes.
"Grid Pro Quo with Michael Pollard"
Technical gymnastic exercises, cavaletti progressions, and footing science for joint longevity.
"Riding the Highs and Lows: Equestrian Pro to Olympic Selector"
Biographical profile exploring Michael's trajectory from Pan Am Gold to official Olympic selector and community entrepreneur.
"Michael Pollard's race across Mongolia"
Elizabeth Green's report on Michael's co-victory in the 2025 Mongol Derby across 1,000 km of wilderness on native mounts.