Ryan Haselden: Junior Rider Balances International Ambition with Vital Safety Advocacy

What Happened

Junior rider Ryan Haselden, 15, is establishing herself as a formidable talent in the international show jumping circuit, balancing a rigorous competition schedule with a deep commitment to horsemanship. Raised in a jumper-focused program in Atlanta, Georgia, Haselden has quickly progressed from the pony divisions to competing in open and professional classes.

In the last year, Haselden secured Children’s Team silver and gold at the 2024 and 2025 North American Youth Championships (NAYC). She also ribboned in her first Grand Prix and is currently preparing for the prestigious Royal Dublin Horse Show in Ireland this August. Her development is guided by a collaborative international training team consisting of Irish professional Edward Doyle and his nephew, Declan “Deckie” Egan, who operates Birchgrove Sporthorses in the U.S.

Haselden’s journey took a significant turn in early 2025 after a medical emergency during a competition in Venice, Florida. After blacking out mid-course, she was diagnosed with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), a rare genetic heart condition. Now managed with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and lifestyle adjustments, she has returned to the top of the sport, winning NAYC gold and advocating for increased safety measures at equestrian venues.

Why It Matters

Haselden’s trajectory highlights a shift in how some American junior riders are approaching their development. Rather than focusing solely on regional point-chase systems, her team prioritizes "thinking rider" development by placing her in high-pressure, international environments early. This strategy aims to normalize intense atmospheres, like those found in European venues, so that the transition to the world stage is seamless.

Furthermore, her personal health crisis has sparked a vital conversation regarding safety at horse shows. Through the founded Impulsion Foundation, the Haselden family is advocating for:

• The availability of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at every ring during large competitions.
• Widespread CPR training for barn staff, trainers, and parents.
• Increased awareness of rare cardiac conditions that can affect young athletes.

For the broader community, Haselden’s return to competition after a major diagnosis serves as a testament to the resilience required in equestrian sports and the importance of having emergency protocols in place at sanctioned events.

Discipline Context

While Haselden operates primarily within the Jumper discipline, her story touches on several key areas of the industry:

• Junior Development: Her path illustrates a hybrid of the American and Irish training systems, focusing on catch-riding and "baptism by fire" in professional classes.
• Welfare and Safety: Her advocacy for AEDs is relevant to all disciplines, highlighting the need for rapid medical response in high-intensity sport environments.
• Youth Education: As a student at Rivers Academy, her ability to balance high-level international travel with specialized equestrian-focused schooling reflects the growing infrastructure supporting young professional-track riders.

Quick Facts

• Governing Body Impact: US Equestrian (USEF), North American Youth Championships (NAYC).
• Key Horses: Carla (NAYC 1.30m partner), Hector (9-year-old development horse), and Maeberry (Grand Prix partner).
• Trainers: Edward Doyle (Ireland) and Declan Egan (Georgia/Florida).
• Medical Advocacy: Founder of the Impulsion Foundation, focusing on AED availability and CPR training.
• Key Achievement: 2025 NAYC Children’s Team Gold Medalist.

Riders following where the sport is heading can weigh in on the TurnoutHQ community.