Taiwan Parrish’s relationship with Lauren Chumley’s quirky 19-year-old Sandro Hit gelding Saracchi is a complex one. But the pieces of the partnership all fitted into place in the very last class of the last day of the 2024 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® on Sunday, November 10, at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Photo – Taiwan Parrish and Saracchi — both 19 years old — produce a 65.98% test to take the inaugural Intermediate I Junior/Young Rider Championship. (Sue Stickle Photography)

“He felt so good after the first halt — he’s not the best at halting — so once he stood, I knew we were good,” said Parrish, who scored 65.98% to take the win in the Intermediate I Junior/Young Rider class, which is brand new to Finals for 2024. “I was able to push for more, whereas I usually have to ride careful. A lot of the things we’ve been working on with Lauren at home finally clicked. He consistently comes out and fights for me — he’s the best.”

Graduate

Parrish worked for Chumley throughout high school, with Chumley promising to take him on full-time if he stuck with school. He even texted her from his graduation ceremony in 2023 to confirm it. However, the run-up to Finals has not been smooth sailing for Saracchi.

“The season’s been hard because ‘Odie’ was out with an injury for the first three months of the year, and I was really scared that he wouldn’t come back,” explained Parrish, who will join Chumley in Wellington, FL, for the winter. “I came back from North American Youth Championships, and he came trotting up to me in the field — he was sound. So, we went to the last two qualifiers to get scores for Regionals; I was very much flying by the seat of my pants.

12 Out of 10 Hard to Ride

“He’s not an easy horse, and when other people get on him, he just plants. He’s 12 out of 10 hard to ride — like riding a ballpoint pen — because the balance is so quick to go, but I’ve been with him since training level, and he’s got me so far. The journey has not been linear, but it’s been a lot of fun,” added the 19-year-old.

Sunday’s classes conclude competition at the 2024 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®. Catch up with all the action via the USDF Facebook page, the US Dressage Finals website, and USEF Network. Full results can be found on www.horseshowoffice.com. The dates for the 2025 US Dressage Finals will be announced shortly.