Caroline Harris: Belief, Doubt, and the Unlikely Horse Behind a Run at the FEI Eventing World Championships

This Week on In Stride Sinead Halpin-Maynard sits down with Caroline Harris fresh off the FEI Eventing World Championships in Aachen to talk about the unlikely horse who carried her from a late start in the sport to two five-star wins, and the mental work behind staying grounded at the highest level of competition.Meet the Guest: Caroline Harris Caroline Harris is a British international event rider who claimed her first five-star victory at Pau in 2024 and added a second at Luhmühlen in 2026, both with her partner D.Day. Those wins earned the pair a place on the British eventing team for the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships in Aachen, building on a Nations Cup debut at Boekelo in 2023 and a selection to the British European Championships squad at Blenheim in 2025.In This Episode, Sinead and Caroline Discuss:The unconventional path to a five-star debut at 34, and why D.Day, a horse bred to be a gentle family horse, was never expected to reach the top of the sportHow a small ownership syndicate of friends backed D.Day one level at a time, with no pressure attached, all the way to Pau, Luhmühlen, and AachenWorking through self-doubt and nerves with a sports psychologist, and learning to enjoy competing at the top level instead of just surviving itBuilding a life and identity outside the barn, including training as a personal trainer, and what comes next on the road to Los Angeles 2028Episode SponsorConnaway & Associates The friendly and knowledgeable team at Connaway & Associates brings together more than 30 years of experience to offer a wide range of insurance services, including horse insurance, farm insurance, and liability insurance.Visit www.connaway.net or call 501-868-8084 to explore your options.Equine Emergency Vet Care Guide Created by equine veterinarian Dr. Erica Lacher, the Equine Emergency Vet Care Guide app helps horse owners recognize the signs of a true emergency, know when to call the vet, and understand what to do while help is on the way.Download from the App Store or Google Play at EquineEmergencyApp.comIn Stride Is Brought to You by Ride iQRide iQ helps everyday riders ride with more clarity, confidence, and purpose through on-demand audio lessons from world-class coaches.Members also get:Weekly live Q&As with equestrian expertsExclusive podcast episodesDressage test prep resourcesA supportive learning communityStart your free 14-day trial at Ride-iQ.com