The 2025 competition season has brought well-earned recognition for North Carolina dressage professional Stacey Hastings and her PRE stallion, Estatan LHE, whose partnership continues to exemplify excellence at the highest levels of the sport. In addition to being named the 2025 recipient of The Dressage Foundation’s P.R.E. Horse Fund Grant, the pair has also been selected as the 2025 USPRE Horse and Rider of the Year, a prestigious honor that highlights their impact on the breed and the discipline.

A Career Built on Experience and Dedication

Hastings brings decades of experience to the dressage arena and has long been a dedicated advocate for the P.R.E. breed. She is a USDF gold, silver, and bronze medalist, as well as a USDF Certified Instructor through the FEI levels. Her 10-year-old stallion Estatan LHE, whom she owns and trains, is currently ranked as the number one USPRE horse competing at the Grand Prix level in the United States.

That success has now been recognized on multiple fronts. The Dressage Foundation’s $2,500 Pure Spanish Horse/P.R.E. Fund Grant will support Hastings’ continued development with Estatan as they solidify their presence at Grand Prix and prepare for CDI competition.

A Partnership Rooted in Meaning

Estatan LHE’s journey to the top is deeply personal for Hastings. The stallion came into her life through her close friend Michele Inman, who, after being diagnosed with cancer, made the selfless decision to entrust Hastings with her beloved horse.

“This year, Estatan and I started competing at Grand Prix,” Hastings shared. “This is what Michele wanted for him, as do I. We will use this grant to further our training, helping us to be the best we can be together at Grand Prix. My goal is to have Estatan feel happy, confident, and solid at this level.”

Through the grant, Hastings will train regularly with international rider and trainer Julio Mendoza, focusing on refinement, consistency, and preparation for CDI competition.

Celebrating the P.R.E. at the Highest Level

The Dressage Foundation’s P.R.E. Horse Fund was created to celebrate and promote the Pure Spanish Horse as a serious contender in upper-level dressage, recognizing the breed’s natural talent, athleticism, and exceptional disposition. Hastings and Estatan LHE embody those qualities, making them a fitting choice for both the grant and the USPRE’s top annual honor.

On behalf of USPRE, the organization extended its congratulations, noting that the pair’s partnership and achievements are “truly exceptional and deserving of this honor.”

Awards Ceremony at IBERICON 2026

The USPRE Horse and Rider of the Year Award will be formally presented during USPRE Week at IBERICON, taking place January 13–18, 2026, at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida.

As Hastings and Estatan LHE continue their Grand Prix journey, their recognition as the 2025 USPRE Horse and Rider of the Year stands as a powerful testament to dedication, partnership, and the enduring potential of the Pure Spanish Horse in international dressage.