US Equestrian is excited to announce that Caracole de la Roque, a 2012 Selle Français mare owned by Signe Ostby, has been named the 2024 International Horse of the Year. Additionally, McQueen, a 2014 KWPN gelding owned by Walkenbach Equestrian LLC, has earned the title of 2024 National Horse of the Year, as voted by the USEF membership.
The two horses were celebrated at the SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year Awards Dinner, which took place during the USEF Annual Meeting in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 25, 2025.
2024 International Horse of the Year: Caracole de la Roque
Caracole de la Roque (Zandor Z x Pocahontas d’Amaury, Kannan) has solidified her place as a leading force in international show jumping since her debut with France’s Julien Epaillard. However, 2024 marked a particularly remarkable year for the 2012 Selle Français mare, owned by Signe Ostby and ridden by U.S. Show Jumping team member Karl Cook.
Under Cook’s guidance, Caracole de la Roque finished in the top ten 15 times in FEI competitions, earning significant podium finishes at CSI5* events in Wellington, Rome, La Baule, and Santa Anita. The duo also jumped clear an impressive 27 times in FEI events throughout the year.
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Notable highlights include their thrilling victory in the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome CSIO5* and a second-place finish in the Rolex Grand Prix of La Baule CSIO5*, achievements that secured their spot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Initially selected as the traveling alternate for the U.S. Jumping Team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque were called onto the team following the withdrawal of Kent Farrington and Greya. The pair rose to the occasion, delivering exceptional performances on the world’s biggest stage. They played a key role in helping the U.S. Team qualify for the Team Final, and Caracole de la Roque and Cook followed up with a second clear round, ultimately contributing to the team’s silver medal finish.
Signe Ostby, in a heartfelt speech, expressed her deep gratitude for the care and dedication that has gone into Caracole’s success. Referred to as “Rolli Polli” at the barn, Caracole’s well-being is a top priority, with special custom 3D printed horseshoes and hand-milled titanium nails enabling the mare—who typically goes barefoot—to perform at her best on challenging grass courses in Rome and La Baule. “It’s an incredible honor to own a horse like Caracole,” Ostby shared. “I am full of joy and thrilled to be her owner.”
Ostby was presented with the Horse of the Year trophy, along with a custom engraved leather lead provided by SmartPak, in recognition of their outstanding achievements.
2024 National Horse of the Year: McQueen
With an impressive string of high-profile victories in the hunter ring at shows across the country, Walkenbach Equestrian LLC’s McQueen (Cornet Obolensky x Sanea, Marlon) was a standout in 2024. The 2014 U.S.-bred KWPN gelding earned top placements in both amateur classes with Lanie Walkenbach and performance hunters with Nick Haness and Javier Abad Barragán.
A key highlight of their year came in February when McQueen, ridden by Haness, claimed victory in the $100,000 USHJA WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular during week six of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
McQueen and his rider, Lanie Walkenbach, continued their winning ways throughout the year, earning the reserve championship in the High-Performance Conformation Hunter division at The Devon Horse Show in May and claiming the $100,000 WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular at Traverse City Horse Shows in June.
One of the standout moments of McQueen’s successful partnership with Walkenbach came at the Blenheim Racing Festival in California in July, where they won the 3’6” West Coast Amateur Owner Hunter Challenge. The pair’s season was further highlighted by victories at Desert Circuit, San Juan Capistrano International, Blenheim Surf & Turf Classic, and Traverse City Spring Horse Show.
“There is no horse quite like him,” Walkenbach shared about McQueen, affectionately known as “Dash” around the barn. “He has without a doubt created a special place in my heart, and it takes a team to make a horse like him so special.”
Lanie Walkenbach of Walkenbach Equestrian LLC was honored with the Horse of the Year trophy, as well as a custom engraved leather lead provided by SmartPak, in recognition of their outstanding achievements.
