Classical Foundation.
Modern Athletic Science.
Produced with Classical Integrity & Modern Performance
Headed by Pan American Games Team Gold Medalist Michael Pollard and Co-Trainer Sterling Pollard, Pollard EQ develops and campaigns elite eventers, young horse prospects, and bespoke client mounts. Training is never an exercise in force or shortcuts—it is an empathetic, systematic partnership developed over years, honoring the physical biomechanics and mental spirit of each individual horse.
Meet Michael Pollard
Pan American Games Team Gold Medalist, Former National Champion, and pioneer in high-performance equine conditioning.
Michael Pollard navigating the Mongolian steppe
Key Areas of Focus
- ✓ FEI upper-level competition campaigning & championship preparation
- ✓ Biomechanically sound schooling and gymnastic jumping in FutureTrack arenas
- ✓ Individualized equine developmental trajectories & syndicate partnership management
Michael Pollard
International 5* Eventer & High-Performance Producer
Michael Pollard represents the pinnacle of American eventing excellence. As the 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold Medalist aboard Schoensgreen Hanni and Former National Champion, Michael has brought dozens of horses from initial backing through CCI4* and CCI5* international competitions.
At Pollard EQ, Michael directs the strategic training trajectory of every horse in the barn. His methodology pairs rigorous classical dressage fundamentals with modern equine exercise physiology, specialized conditioning and gymnastic jumping in our engineered FutureTrack arenas, and careful competition scheduling.
Work in the FutureTrack-equipped arena allows horses to perform high-repetition flatwork, collection exercises, and technical jumping questions on a consistent, shock-absorbing proprietary footing that cushions joint impact, protects soft tissue, and promotes sustained athletic longevity.
Meet Sterling Pollard
2026 USEF Young Rider National Champion, Area III Young Rider of the Year, and rising star in upper-level eventing and show jumping.
Sterling Pollard & Michael Pollard claiming CCIU25 3*-S Gold
Sterling Pollard & Tinto navigating the water complex
Double-clear round clinching the National Championship
Sterling Pollard
Dual-Discipline FEI Competitor & Upper-Level Producer
As Co-Trainer at Pollard EQ, Sterling Pollard represents the next generation of American equestrian excellence. Coming from an exceptional multi-generational equestrian heritage—daughter of five-star eventer Michael Pollard and international competitor Nathalie Bouckaert, and granddaughter of Belgian Olympian Carl Bouckaert—Sterling began riding bareback on ponies and has developed into one of the country's foremost young talents across both three-day eventing and show jumping.
Sterling's coaching and riding methodology emphasizes sympathetic, self-produced horsemanship. Her defining milestone came at the 2026 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships at Loch Moy Farm, where she and her Belgian Warmblood gelding Tinto captured the CCIU25 3*-S Individual National Championship, clinching Gold with a flawless double-clear show jumping round on a final score of 31.1. Having produced Tinto herself from Novice up through the 3* level, Sterling brings proven, hands-on mastery to bringing young prospects along with patience and empathy.
In the jumper ring, Sterling actively campaigns at the 1.40m level, having represented Zone 4 at the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) to win Team Bronze and 5th individually aboard Eton. Mentored by Michael Pollard and Olympic gold medalists John and Beezie Madden, Sterling brings a modern cross-training methodology to Pollard EQ—combining high-level flatwork discipline, jumper precision, and FutureTrack footing to unlock each equine partner's highest athletic potential.
Core Tenets of the Pollard EQ System
Developing horses at Pollard Equestrian places strong emphasis on a firm foundation that expands through steady growth to encourage the individual athletic ability of each horse.
Our approach to training horses is four-fold:
Patient Horsemanship
Sound athletic development cannot be rushed. Every horse is afforded the time and psychological space required to understand their work, establish genuine trust in the rider's aids, and build confidence over fences and terrain. By respecting each horse's natural learning curve and emotional readiness, we cultivate willing, relaxed partners who enjoy their work and maintain enthusiasm through every level of competition.
Uncompromising Standards
Excellence is defined by daily attention to detail. From the precision of our flatwork fundamentals to the quality of our engineered FutureTrack arena surfaces and customized equine care, we maintain an unyielding standard. We reject shortcuts, artificial gadgets, and compromised biomechanics, ensuring that every stride and transition is rooted in classical correctness, self-carriage, and long-term structural soundness.
Biomechanics & Footing Science
Soundness is not an accident. Michael Pollard co-founded FutureTrack Arenas because he witnessed firsthand how subpar footing deteriorates joints and undermines confidence. Pollard EQ trains exclusively on proprietary FutureTrack footing to safeguard tendons and ligaments.
Consistent Progress
Sustainable advancement is built on steady, predictable increments rather than dramatic leaps. Through structured weekly ride programming—alternating technical flatwork, gymnastic gridwork, cross-country questions, and low-impact arena conditioning—horses systematically build cardiovascular stamina, muscular strength, and mental resilience. This deliberate consistency transforms raw potential into dependable, championship-caliber performance.
Current Horses in Training
Discover the horses currently progressing through our program under the care and training of Head Trainer Michael Pollard.
Saint Estephe
Saint Estephe, known around the barn simply as Saint, is a 2018 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Verdi TN out of Grande J (Clinton). Partnered with Michael Pollard, Saint is a talented and versatile FEI athlete competing in both 1.45m show jumping and CCI3*-S eventing.
With his athleticism, scope, willingness to learn, and genuine competitive spirit, Saint is an exciting horse to develop. We look forward to watching this talented horse continue to progress and reach his full potential.
Competing in 1.45m show jumping and CCI3*-S eventing at major national and international fixtures.
Tinto
Tinto is a 7-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Bremen Plan out of Pieke van de Achterhoek, owned and ridden by Sterling Pollard. Tinto was a 4-year-old Belgian Young Horse Champion purchased by Carl Bouckaert as a 3-year-old. He has developed into an exciting young event horse through his partnership with Sterling.
Sterling has developed Tinto herself, bringing him up through the levels of eventing from the Novice level to the 3* level.
Defending championship honors in the CCI3* division and preparing for future international competition.
Eton
Eton is a 17-year-old KWPN gelding by Clinton out of Nircolanda (Opstalan’s Ircolando), owned by Carl Bouckaert and ridden by Sterling Pollard. Originally intended as a jumper for Carl, Eton became Sterling’s partner as she stepped into the jumper ring and began developing their partnership at the upper levels.
An experienced and talented jumper, Eton has become an important part of Sterling’s development as a rider as their partnership continues to grow taking on new challenges.
Upper-level show jumping championships, Zone 4 team representations, and technical course mastery.
Kronberg
Kronberg is a 2017 Trakehner gelding by Schwarzgold (Imperio) out of Königsblüte (Latimer), owned and ridden by Michael Pollard. Currently competing at the Preliminary level, Kronberg is an exciting young athlete preparing for a move up to FEI 2-star competition this fall.
With his athleticism, presence, and willingness to learn, Kronberg continues to develop into a talented upper-level event horse.
Moving up to FEI 2-star competition this fall.
Advance Your Equestrian Partnership with Pollard EQ
We accept a select number of outside horses for full training, Young Event Horse production, show jumping campaigning, and competition consignment. Whether preparing for a national championship or laying the foundations for an unbacked youngster, Michael and Sterling Pollard bring an Olympic pedigree and championship track record to your program.