Meet Megan
Upper Level Event Rider & Owner of Classics Eventing
Megan was born in Phoenix, AZ and moved to Keller, TX when she was 10 years old, where she spent a few years competing in local 4H shows. As a young teen she changed focus and started riding at Gold Chip Stables, deciding that Three Day Eventing was the sport she really wanted to pursue. Megan soon realized that the sport of eventing was built from people with an enormous amount of grit and determination, and if you wanted to be a true eventer you had to work hard for what you wanted. So - that's what she did.
At age 16 she became a working student for Heather Morris, and at 17 she made the NAJYRC team with a horse she had originally gotten out of a field as a broodmare. When Megan turned 18, she moved to California to be a working student for Tamie Smith. Under Tamie’s guidance, she put in the hours and the effort to be the best she could be, improving her riding and her training skills.
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While working for Tamie, Megan began the journey to find the next horse to take her up the levels, and found it in a big bay gelding named Classics Mojah. Mo came from an unlikely source, having been in the barn of renowned dressage trainer Steffen Peters. Mo took to eventing quickly and together they have moved up the levels, taking many top placings along the way. So far they have competed through the 4*L level. Megan and Mo have a bright future with hopefully many more top finishes in sight.
When people say "it takes a village" they're not lying. Throughout Megan's eventing career she has been blessed with an amazing support system that have made her accomplishments that much sweeter. Megan's direct family and her barn family have truly shaped her career into what it is today. As Megan develops her riding career and adds more horses to her line-up, she continues to meet many influential people that impact her life in such a positive way, and she is grateful for all of them. Megan is excited to take on the sport of eventing every day for years to come, and put the same amount of effort and grit into her career as she always has: with a passion for horses and a fire in her belly!
Career Highlights
Competing at the 4* Level
2021 2nd place Woodside CCI4*-S
2021 3rd place Woodside CCI2*-S
2021 U25 List Maker
2020 U25 List Maker
2019 7th Place Fair Hill 3L
2019 2nd Place Rebecca Farm 3L
2019 Twin Rivers Intermediate Winner
2019 Rebecca Farm CCI2*-L Winner
2018 Galway Downs CCI2*-L Top 10
2014 American Eventing Championships Preliminary Winner
2014 Area V North American Junior Young Rider Championships
In The Press
US Equestrian Announces Athletes for the 2021 Eventing Emerging Athlete Program List
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US Equestrian Announces Athletes Invited to Eventing 25 Assessment Sessions
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Megan Sykes on Treating Riders Like the Athletes They Are
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Major League Eventing Podcast
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Horse Training Vlog: Presto
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A New Classic: Megan Sykes Makes a Statement at Fair Hill
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Equivont Featured Rider: Megan Sykes
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US Equestrian Announces List of Athletes Selected to 2020 USEF Eventing 25 Emerging Athlete Program
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CLASSIC’S MOJAH “MO”
2009 Oldenburg Gelding
Competing at the Advanced/4* level
Owned by Double Down Syndicate
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"I bought him as a 7 year old after he wasn’t going to make it as a strictly dressage horse. He took to jumping so well and it has been really cool moving him up through the levels and seeing him love the sport of eventing more everyday. He has a very grumpy old man personality, but is the coolest horse I have ever gotten to ride and I am so thankful to have a horse that has given me so much confidence especially on the cross country."
Tennessee Whiskey "Tenny"
2014 Holsteiner mare
Owned by Double Down Syndicate
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Megan, Brian, and Kailynn found Tenny in Germany after a trip to search for the right "next" up-and-coming horse.
Tenny has been settling in nicely to Megan's program and everyone is incredibly excited for her future!