Jaguars Duende: Sharon White on Her Rising Star of US Eventing
From her early days as an unassuming young horse to becoming a podium regular, this talented mare has captured attention with her impressive performances and undeniable charisma.
In a recent episode of the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Podcast, Annie Bishop sat down with eventing star Sharon White and EquiRatings' Diarmuid Byrne to discuss one of the most exciting horses in the sport today — Jaguars Duende.
The US Equestrian Open Podcast is available on all podcast channels here and you can check out Sharon's episode here.
A Mare with Confidence and Character
Sharon White describes Jaguars Duende as fiercely independent and confident, traits she believes are essential for success.
"She shows up to work every day. She likes her job, she likes doing things well, and she goes along with my motto: If you're going to do something, do it well. That’s what makes her so special — she finds enjoyment in working hard."
Her determination is evident not only in competition but also in training. Sharon enjoys that Jaguars Duende isn’t afraid to express herself, even if it means bucking her off every now and then!
"I like that she has enough confidence to try and tell me to go fly a kite sometimes."
"If you’re gonna do something, do it well, otherwise don’t bother to do it. Which includes bucking me off, by the way! That’s one of her favorite things too — which I love, right? Because I like that she has enough confidence to try and tell me to go fly a kite sometimes."
A Remarkable Journey from an Unlikely Start
"When I first saw the videos, I was like, 'I wouldn’t buy that.'"
Jaguars Duende’s journey began when Sharon purchased her as a three-year-old, sight unseen. However, she admits her first impressions weren’t exactly glowing.
"When I first saw the videos, I was like, 'I wouldn’t buy that. Just being honest.' And then when she came over, I thought, 'I don’t know. I don’t know what’s going to happen.'"
Despite initial doubts, White recognized that Jaguars Duende needed time and patience. She focused on helping her develop confidence and strength rather than rushing her progress. That patience has certainly paid off, as she has developed into one of the most exciting horses in US eventing today.
"I’ve always thought big picture with her. It’s not about the immediacy of what you’re going to do this weekend. It’s: what am I going to do three years from now? That’s what really interests me."
A Stellar Competition Record
Jaguars Duende has quickly become one of the sport’s most talked-about rising stars. Diarmuid shared the impressive statistics:
- 11 international starts, nine podium finishes (the other two starts were withdrawals before cross-country)
- Three wins in her last four competitions
- A victory in the Maryland 5 Star CCI3*-L to close out the 2024 season
These numbers are staggering, but White admits she rarely focuses on them.
"It's hard to read the label when you're inside the box. You don't even realize what's happening until you step back and look at that pile of blue ribbons. I was cleaning out the barn and found this pile of ribbons, and I thought, 'Holy moly, they're all Jags!'"
The Road Ahead: US Equestrian Open and Beyond
"With horses, you never really know. You make a plan, but they tell you what’s next."
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Jaguars Duende is set to make her first appearance at Bouckaert. While the US Equestrian Open remains a possibility, White emphasizes the journey will be dictated by what Jags tells her.
"The US Equestrian Open is exciting because it brings so much fun into the sport. There’s so much talk about it, so much anticipation. You look at the calendar and think, ‘Could this be an option?’ But with horses, you never really know. You make a plan, but they tell you what’s next."
White’s philosophy remains centered on patience and trusting the process. Every step of Jaguars Duende's career has been carefully planned to ensure she moves up when she’s ready. With continued growth and strong performances, her future looks incredibly bright.
"My Little Pegasus"
Jaguars Duende is more than just a top competitor; she’s a horse with presence, personality, and a devoted team behind her. Sharon White’s dedication to her long-term success is evident, and as she steps into 2025, fans will be eagerly following along to see just how far she can go.
"She doesn’t mind digging deep when she has to, and I love that. That’s something you need in a great horse. When she started to give me that feeling, I would call her my little Pegasus, because suddenly, she had wings."
With a stellar track record and a team committed to her development, Jaguars Duende is a name to remember. As the season unfolds, we’ll all be watching to see where her journey takes her.
What’s Next in the Open?
Having kicked off in 2024, the US Equestrian Open qualifiers will pick back up in March when the leaderboard battle continues at Bouckaert.
For the most up-to-date series calendar and latest standings, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at usequestrianopen.org.
Series Standings at the End of 2024:
See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier, here.
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For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at USEquestrianOpen@usef.org.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at cweilminster@usef.org.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at lgriffin@usef.org.
