Gladstone, NJ — The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation has named Sharon White and her eight-year-old Westphalian mare Jaguars Duende (by Jaguar Mail x Lancaster) the recipients of the 2025 Connaught Grant.
Each year, the USET Foundation administers up to $25,000 to a developing horse seen as a potential future candidate to represent the United States eventing team at the international level. The grant was established and is funded by Caroline Moran in memory of her dear friend, the late R. Bruce Duchossois, who was dedicated to encouraging the development of event horses in the U.S. The grant is named after Connaught, a horse owned by Duchossois and ridden by Phillip Dutton at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Sharon White and Jaguars Duende won three of their four international starts in 2024. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography
White, of Summit Point, West Virginia, was a member of the U.S. eventing team that won the silver medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. White has represented the U.S. in several FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ competitions and was also a reserve athlete for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.
White bought Jaguars Duende, better known as “Jag” in the barn, from German Olympic event rider Dirk Schrade as a four-year-old and imported her at age five. Together, the pair have made nine international starts, placing in the top three in every outing and winning four of them.
“It brings me unspeakable joy to accept the 2025 Connaught Grant with my special horse, Jaguars Duende,” said White. “Bruce [Duchossois] was such a contributor to our sport, and to have the opportunity to continue his legacy is an honor I am proud to carry. I hope that Jag and I can make him proud. I knew immediately that she was incredibly special, and she has shown me just how competitive she is.”
Over the years, White has been named to multiple US Equestrian (USEF) Eventing High Performance Training Lists. Her experience tells her that Jaguars Duende has what it takes to step up to Advanced level and beyond.
“She may have the best mind I have ever had in a horse, and this has made it so enjoyable to develop her strength as an athlete,” commented White. “She really excels at all of the eventing phases. My focus has been taking time to produce her, not rushing her, and choosing competitions wisely to allow her to continue to move up confidently.
“No two pathways to the top are alike, as all horses are individuals,” continued White. “So, while I know she’s ready to move up, this year will be focused on gaining more strength so that she can enjoy a long-lasting career at the Advanced and five-star level. I believe this mare is a future team horse, and I will continue to produce her with this in mind.”
Sharon White receives the Connaught grant trophy award from USET Foundation National Advisory Committee member Ellen Ahearn. Photo by USEA/Meagan DeLisle
After a very successful 2024 season at Intermediate and CCI3* level, White intends to step up to Advanced in 2025. She has her sights set on Jaguars Duende’s first CCI4*-L, which could be at the Tryon International Three-Day Event in Mill Spring, North Carolina, in May 2025. The eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S division at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in the U.K. in September 2025 is also on White’s radar. In the meantime, White will winter in Florida while she continues to build the mare’s fitness.
“While she’s very much ready for this next step, I’m also aware that Jag is still young. Her attitude and athleticism make her a real prospect for my next five-star horse, but my focus between now and whenever that day comes is to keep her confident, strong, and feeling good so that she can perform in the way she has shown me she knows how.
“Jaguars Duende is a serious team prospect for the future, and with the World Championships in 2026 and the next Olympics in 2028 coming up quickly, my goal will be to produce her and my other horses with team performances in mind,” she added.
White is particularly thankful for the grant as she is the sole owner of Jaguars Duende and therefore responsible for all of the mare’s expenses.
“It’s important to me to have skin in the game,” she explained. “This means more financial responsibility, which makes receiving the Connaught Grant unbelievably meaningful to me. I’m grateful for the support offered by the USET Foundation to up-and-coming eventing talent. My appreciation for this grant is deep, and I hope I will help inspire others to contribute to our sport and its future.”
White is also keen to give back to the sport she loves and is actively involved as a member of multiple USEF and United States Eventing Association committees. As an athlete owner, she is very aware that it takes a village to bring horses to their competitive pinnacle.
“I’d like to thank my friend Dirk Schrade, and my longtime mentor, the late Jimmy Wofford, for giving me the tools to produce these horses, and my friends who help me support the horses,” said White. “A special shout out to Sandy Niles for seeing Jag early in her career and reaching out and helping me support her. Also, thanks to my veterinary and healthcare team — for both myself and my horses — my staff at home, my family and husband, the coaches who continue to help me be my best, and my sponsors who provide so much essential care to us — the list is truly endless.”
Previous Connaught Grant Recipients
2024 Boyd Martin and Commando 3
2023 Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake
2022 Will Coleman and Chin Tonic
2021 Will Faudree and Mama’s Magic Way
2020 Liz Halliday and Cooley Moonshine
2019 Alexander O’Neal and Fury H
2018 Matt Brown and Big Berry
2017 Emilee Libby and Jakobi
2016 Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois
2015 Heather Morris and Charlie Tango
For additional information or to support the USET Foundation and U.S. equestrian athletes, visit https://www.uset.org/donate/.
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel, and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
Learn more at www.uset.org.
