Sharon White

Sharon White is an international CCI5* three-day eventing rider, trainer and Level 4 USEA ICP Certified Instructor based at Last Frontier Farm in Summit Point, West Virginia. With over 25 years of experience as a professional equestrian, Sharon is a well-respected and dedicated horsewoman who always seeks to do her best by the horses first.

Sharon’s brilliant career includes over 10 visits to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (formerly known as Rolex Kentucky) with five different horses. She has also traveled overseas to contest CCI5* events at Lühmuhlen (France) and Les Etoiles de Pau (France) as well as CCI4* events at Boekelo (Netherlands) and Hartpury (United Kingdom). Sharon has represented the United States in FEI Eventing Nations Cup competitions and was a reserve rider for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games. She is also a USDF Silver Medalist and has competed in pure show jumping. Sharon most recently earned her first pinque coat and a team silver medal for the U.S. Eventing Team at the 2023 Pan American Games (Santiago, Chile), competing with Claus 63.

With both past and present competition horses, Sharon has been named to multiple USEF Eventing High Performance Training Lists and was the recipient of the inaugural Rebecca Broussard National Developing Rider Grant in 2011. Her most recent CCI5* horse, Cooley On Show, completed three five-star events, including a top-10 finish at Land Rover Kentucky in 2018. In 2023, Sharon was named to the U.S. Eventing Team for the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile with her current 4* partner, Claus 63, taking home a team silver medal.

Sharon got her first taste of riding when she was 12, when her parents set up her first lesson. “And that was it!” her father, George, says. Soon, Sharon had her first job at Deana Vaughn’s Tail Wind Farm, where she would ride and work all through high school. While studying English at George Mason University, Sharon worked for Olympic event rider Torrance Watkins, who she still references as a major influence on her riding today.

After graduating with honors from college and running her own farm in Virginia for a period, Sharon began working and training with Bruce Davidson Sr. at Chesterland Farm, and in 1998 she moved back to Virginia and started her own business out of leased property at River View Farm. In 2002, the family purchased what is now known as Last Frontier Farm, named after Alaska, where they’d spent many years of Sharon’s childhood, “The Last Frontier”.

Sharon draws much of her inspiration today from her mother, Carol, who was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor in 2002 and passed away in 2013. She continues to work and ride in Carol’s honor each day.

Sharon’s story is one of resilience and of getting back up, time and time again. In 2005, she suffered a shattered pelvis in a schooling accident and spent five months in a wheelchair and several thereafter walking with a cane. She would return to the then-CCI4* at Rolex Kentucky with Ronaldo two years later. She has lost horses and people she’s loved, but she continues on. Perseverance and the truth of never giving up are two things Sharon’s life has taught her.

Sharon is a much sought-after clinician who frequently travels to farms around the country to share her empathetic, thoughtful and holistic training philosophy.

“Horses go the way they are ridden,” is one of Sharon’s most-used phrases, as she believes that riders are responsible for knowing their thoughts, emotions and intentions — and how the horses will respond.

Through this philosophy, Sharon has produced multiple riders up through the Advanced and 5* levels, Woods Baughman, Cornelia Dorr and Tim Bourke. She is always willing to help riders who are willing to put in the time and effort to improve their relationships with their horses and, by association, their riding.

Also a believer in the notion of simple things done right, Sharon has produced numerous horses to the top levels of eventing, taking the time to produce each one individually. Her goal is for each horse to have a long, healthy career, and this type of longevity requires thoughtful care, training and competition planning. With a strong sense of stability within her team — both in terms of staff as well as sponsors — horses thrive in the Last Frontier Farm program and are compassionately trained to the best of their potential.

Sharon also believes in the importance of giving back and currently sits on numerous USEA committees. These include the Eventing Licensed Officials Committee as the Active Athlete Representative, the Strategic Planning Committee and the Rebecca Farm Grant Committee.

Sharon credits her longtime coach and mentor Jimmy Wofford, FEI “O” judge and Grand Prix dressage rider Linda Zang and George Morris for their influences on her career.

To represent the United States in the sport of eventing at the Olympics or the World Equestrian Games would be the highlight of Sharon’s career and the realization of a lifelong dream. By sharing her philosophy of simple, foundational skills, mindful riding and training and clear intentions, Sharon hopes to foster a healthy, well-informed community of equestrians.

Accomplishments

2023

• Team Silver Medal, Pan American Games (Santiago, Chile)
• Named to 2023 Pan American Games U.S. team with Claus 63
• 1st Place, USEA Preliminary Horse Championship with Jaguar Duende
• 1st Place, Millbrook Advanced with Claus 63
• 3rd Place, Tryon International CCI3*-L with Shirsheen Ice
• 1st place, Ocala International Festival of Eventing CCI4*-S with Claus 63

2022

• Top 18, Lexington CCI4*-S at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event with Claus 63

2021

• 2nd Place, Tryon International Three-Day Event CCI4*-L with Claus 63
• 1st Place, Chattahoochee Hills Advanced with Claus 63
• Top 20 finish, Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* with Cooley On Show

2020

• 6th place, Mars Eventing Showcase at Wellington with Cooley On Show

2019

• 5th Place, Great Meadow International CCI3*-S with Claus 63
• 4th Place, Bromont International CCI3*-S with Cooley on Show
• 7th Place, Bromont International CCI2*-L with Claus 63
• 8th Place, Carolina International CCI4*-S with Cooley on Show
• 9th Place, Carolina International CCI2*-S with Claus 63
• 11th Place, Carolina International CCI2*-S with Highlife’s Je T’aime
• 14th Place, Carolina International CCI2*-S with Juneau

2018

• 6th & 16th Place, The Virginia CCI2*-L with Masterel and Highlife’s Je T’aime
• 18th Place, Bromont CCI4*-S with Cooley on Show
• 3rd Place, GMHA Festival of Eventing CIC1* with Highlife’s Je T’aime
• Recipient of Jacqueline B. Mars International Competition Grant
• Named Reserve for U.S. World Equestrian Games Team
• 16th Place, Jersey Fresh International CCI3*-S with Fashionably Late
• 8th Place, Land Rover Kentucky CCI5*-L with Cooley On Show
• 3rd Place, The Fork CCI4*-S with Cooley On Show
• 11th Place, Carolina International CCI4*-S with Cooley On Show
• 5th Place, Ocala Winter II Intermediate with My Mitch
• 3rd Place, Rocking Horse III Intermediate with Cooley On Show

2017

• 8th Place, Plantation Field International CCI2*-S with Fashionably Late
• 4th Place, American Eventing Championships Advanced with Cooley on Show
• 5th Place, GMHA Festival of Eventing CCI2*-S with Fashionably Late
• 14th Place, Luhmuhlen CCI5*-L with Cooley on Show
• 2nd Place, Jersey Fresh International CCI3*-S with Cooley on Show
• 10th Place, The Fork CCI4*-S with Cooley on Show
• 10th Place, Carolina International CCI4*-S with Cooley on Show
• 1st Place, Red Hills International Intermediate with Cooley on Show

2016

• Top 20 Finish at Fair Hill International CCI4*-L with Cooley on Show
• 4th Place, Plantation Field CCI4*-S with Cooley on Show
• 3rd Place, American Eventing Championships Training with Ready or Not
• 1st Place, GMHA Preliminary with Ready or Not
• Top 20 Finish at Great Meadow CICO4* with Cooley on Show
• 10th Place, Jaguar Land Rover Bromont with Cooley on Show
• 4th Place, Jersey Fresh International CCI4*-S with Cooley on Show
• Top 20 Finish at The Fork CCI4*-S with Cooley on Show
• 3rd Place, Rocking Horse Intermediate with Cooley on Show

2015

• 26th Ranked US Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 3rd Ranked Advanced Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 6th Ranked Advanced Horse of the Year with Clifford M
• Area VIII Intermediate Rider of the Year
• Area VIII Intermediate Horse of the Year with Clifford M
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Intermediate Horse of the Year with Cooley on Show
• 10th Place, Richland Park CCI4*-S with Clifford M
• 14th Place, Richland Park CCI4*-S with Cooley On Show
• 2nd Place, Bromont Canada CCI3*-L with Cooley On Show
• 3rd Place, Bromont Canada CCI3*-L with Clifford M
• 4th Place, Jersey Fresh International CCI3*-S with Clifford M
• 6th Place, Jersey Fresh International CCI3*-S with Cooley On Show
• 11th Place, Fair Hill International CCI3*-S with Cooley On Show
• 15th Place, Fair Hill International CCI3*-S with Clifford M
• 9th Place, The Fork International CCI4*-S with Wundermaske
• 1st Place, The Fork Intermediate with Clifford M
• 8th Place, The For Intermediate with Cooley On Show
• 2nd Place, Carolina International Advanced with Wundermaske
• 8th Place, Carolina International CCI2*-S with Cooley On Show
• 15th Place, Carolina International CCI2*-S with Clifford M
• 4th Place, Red Hills International CCI2*-S with Clifford M
• 15th Place, Red Hills International CCI2*-S with Cooley On Show
• 1st Place, Rocking Horse Intermediate with Wundermaske

2014

• 7th Ranked US Rider of the Year
• 3rd Ranked US Lady Rider of the Year
• 2nd Ranked Mare of the Year with Under Suspection
• 6th Ranked Advanced Rider of the Year
• 10th Ranked Preliminary Master Rider
• Area VIII Advanced Rider of the Year/2nd Ranked Rider of the Year
• Area VIII Advanced Horse of the Year with Under Suspection
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Advanced Horse of the Year with Wundermaske
• Area VIII 7th/8th Ranked Intermediate Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 7th Ranked Horse of the Year with Rafferty’s Rules
• Area VIII 8th Ranked Horse of the Year with Wundermaske
• Blue Ribbon Award Recipient, Novice level with Capture the Spirit
• 19th Place, Les Etoiles de Pau CCI5*-L with Wundermaske
• Land Rover Competition Grant for Military Boekelo CCIO4*
• USEF National Summer/Fall High Performance Training List
• 4th Place, Jersey Fresh International CCI4*-Lwith Under Suspection
• 23rd Place, Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L with Wundermaske
• 4th Place, Fair Hill International CCI4*-S with Under Suspection
• 12th Place, The Fork International CCI4*-S with Rafferty’s Rules
• 15th Place, The Fork International CCI4*-S with Wundermaske
• 6th Place, Carolina International CCI4*-S with Under Suspection
• 3rd Place, Rocking Horse Advanced with Under Suspection
• USEF National Winter/Spring High Performance Training List

2013

• 10th Ranked US Rider of the Year
• 4th Place, Fair Hill International CCI3*-L with Under Suspection
• 7th Place, Fair Hill International CCI4*-L with Wundermaske
• Land Rover Competition Grant Recipient for Blenheim CCI4*-L
• USEF National Summer/Fall High Performance Training List
• Blue Ribbon Award Recipient, Intermediate level with Don Sheffield
• Blue Ribbon Award Recipient, Preliminary level with Murloch
• 7th Place, Jersey Fresh International with CCI4*-L with Wundermaske
• 3rd Place, Fair Hill International CCI4*-S with Wundermaske
• 1st Place, Fair Hill International CCI3*-S with Don Sheffeild

2012

• 29th Ranked Rider of the Year
• 9th Ranked Preliminary Adult Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Intermediate Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Intermediate Horse of the Year with Wundermaske
• Area VIII 7th Ranked Preliminary Rider of the Year
• Blue Ribbon Award Recipient, Preliminary level with Murloch
• Blue Ribbon Award Recipient, Training level with Rockefeller IV

2011

• Area VIII Advanced Rider of the Year
• Area VIII Advanced Horse of the Year with Rafferty’s Rules
• Area VIII 5th Ranked Preliminary Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 5th Ranked Preliminary Horse of the Year with Wundermaske
• Blue Ribbon Award Recipient, Preliminary level with Wundermaske
• Blue Ribbon Award Recipient, Training level with Don Sheffield
• Blue Ribbon Award Recipient, Training level with Ravenna
• Short Listed for Pan Am Games with Rafferty’s Rules
• 5th Place Bromont CCI4*-L with Rafferty’s Rules

2010

• 21st Ranked Rider of the Year
• Area VIII Advanced Rider of the Year
• Area VIII Advanced Horse of the Year with Rafferty’s Rules
• Completed Blenheim CCI4*-L with Rafferty’s Rules
• Completed Hartpury CCI4*-L with Rafferty’s Rules
• 5th Place Rebecca Farm CCI4*-S with Rafferty’s Rules
• 4th Place Jersey Fresh CCI4*-L with Rafferty’s Rules
• 12th Place The Fork CCI4*-S with Rafferty’s Rules

2009

• 14th Ranked Rider of the Year
• 9th Ranked Lady Rider of the Year
• 5th Ranked Preliminary Adult Rider
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Advanced Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Advanced Horse of the Year with Rafferty’s Rules
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Intermediate Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 6th Ranked Intermediate Horse of the Year with Russian Roulette II
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Preliminary Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Preliminary Horse of the Year with Russian Roulette II
• Area VIII 5th Ranked Preliminary Horse of the Year with Fortunate Son
• 7th Place at Fair Hill International CCI4*-L with Rafferty’s Rules

2008

• 21st Ranked US Rider of the Year
• 5th Ranked Mare of the Year with The King’s Spirit
• 4th Ranked Preliminary Adult Rider
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Lady Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 2nd Ranked Horse of the Year with The King’s Spirit
• Area VIII Mare of the Year with The King’s Spirit
• Area VIII Reserve Champion Advanced Horse of the Year with The King’s Spirit
• Area VIII Reserve Champion Advanced Adult Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 7th Ranked Preliminary Rider of the Year
• Area VIII 6th Ranked Preliminary Horse of the Year with Fernhill Flag

2006

• Area VIII Rider of the Year
• Area VIII Lady Rider of the Year
• Completed Fair Hill CCI4*-L with Ronaldo
• Sharon White and Ronaldo Selected for the High Performance Team (selected by the USEF to represent the US at the 2007 Pan Am Games and other prestigious International events)
• Reserve Champion at Area II Advanced Championships on Ronaldo
• 18th Ranked Rider of the Year
• 5th Ranked Mare of the Year on The King’s Spirit
• 7th Radnor CCI3*-L on The King’s Spirit

2005

• Finished in the Top 25 Riders on the US Leaderboard (despite a serious injury that prevented Sharon from competing for the second half of the season)
• 4th Place Jersey Fresh CCI3*-L with Ronaldo
• 5th Place Bromont CCI3*-L with The King’s Spirit
• Completed Jersey Fresh CCI4*-L with OK Charlie

2004

• 13th Ranked Rider of the Year
• 6th Ranked Lady Rider of the Year
• Senior Preliminary Rider of the Year
• 4th at Radnor CCI3*-L with OK Charlie
• Best Conditioned at Radnor with OK Charlie

2003

• Selected for USET Developing Rider Training Sessions/Long-Listed by USET
• Completed Fair Hill International CCI4*-L

2002

• 14th Ranked Rider of the Year
• 7th Ranked Lady Rider of the Year
• Selected for USET Developing Rider Training Sessions/Long-Listed by USET
• Completed Fair Hill International CCI4*-L
• Completed Rolex CCI5*-L
• Completed Inaugural Foxhall CCI4*-L

2001

• Selected for USET Developing Rider Training Sessions/Long-Listed by USET
• Completed Fair Hill International CCI4*-L

2000

• Completed Fair Hill International CCI4*-L
• Selected for USET Developing Rider Training Sessions/Long-Listed by USET

Prior to 2000

• Selected for USET Developing Rider Training Sessions/Long-Listed by USET (1996, 1999)
• Worked and Trained with Bruce Davidson (1997-2000)
• Worked and Trained with Torrance Watkins (1991-1994)