Meet Grace Stenbeck-Werner: Thirteen years old, based in North Salem, New York, and one of the most quietly accomplished riders in the U.S. pony hunter ring. In 2024, she and Prestige claimed the Grand Pony Hunter Championship at USEF Pony Finals. In 2025, she returned to Devon and took the Grand Pony Hunter Championship there with Play Date. She trains with Maddie Flocks at home at Swede Ventures and with David Belford of New Hope Farm at the shows. We sat down with Grace to talk about partnership, and what her equine partners have taught her.

Grace grew up in a horse family. Around them from six months old, on one not long after, and in the show ring around age two. By four, it had turned serious. "I just love the connection with the horses," she says. "Being able to be with them. Getting to learn, and to keep learning, teaches me a lot as a person."

For Grace, "performance through partnership" isn't a tagline. "Success doesn't only come from me as a rider. It's how I work together with the horses. They're not machines, and you can't force a good lesson or a good round." Trust is built in noticing. How the horse reacts. How he or she is feeling that day. "You can really tell when they trust you."

She rides under two trainers. Maddie, who is at the barn day-to-day, and Dave, who has transformed her riding over the past few years. Her mom has always told her that the people you surround yourself with shape how you ride. "Negative people affect your riding. Positive people change the overall mood."

Right now, Grace is showing a new horse in Kentucky. She has always loved the jumpers, but her focus has been on hunters and equitation. Lately she has been putting more time into the jumper side too. Off the horse, it is Pilates, friends, and family. But never very far from the barn. "Even on vacation, it's all I can think about."

The plan from here is simple. Gain more experience. Build more confidence. Keep focusing on herself as a rider, not just the result.