United States Eventing Association

For Skyler Norris, the Florida Horse Park in Ocala is more than just another competition venue. It’s where she first discovered the thrill of eventing as a little girl and where she’s spent countless weekends competing, learning, and chasing her dreams.

So when the 23-year-old made her long-awaited Advanced debut at the Ocala Fall Horse Trials this month with her Thoroughbred gelding, Anderboch Flier, it was only fitting that it happened on familiar ground.

The pair rose to the occasion, finishing third with just 16.8 time penalties on cross-country and two rails in show jumping. But for Norris, the accomplishment meant far more than a ribbon.

“Doing it at the Florida Horse Park is definitely the biggest full-circle moment,” she said. “I think almost every single move-up I’ve ever done was actually there.”

Finding Her Footing

Norris grew up near Cocoa Beach, Florida, where her mother, Suzanna, and aunt Shannon—both lifelong horsewomen—introduced her to riding. By age 7, she was already making trips to the Florida Horse Park, and she soon caught the eventing bug aboard her pony Gizmo.

“He really gave me a hard time all the time,” she recalled with a laugh. It was aboard Gizmo, she said, that she first learned the toughness and determination the sport would demand of her. That toughness would serve her well in the years ahead.

As Norris progressed through the levels, she began looking for additional instruction to help her make the jump to Preliminary. In August 2019, she came across a discounted lesson offer for young riders from five-star eventer Zach Brandt. She figured she had little to lose by giving it a try.

“If it’s a terrible lesson, then it’s only 60 bucks,” she remembered thinking. Seven years later, Brandt remains her coach and one of her most important mentors.

At 17, Norris made the decision to leave home, switch to online high school, and move to Ocala to become Brandt’s working student. It was an exciting opportunity, but the transition wasn’t always easy. Between long days at the barn, additional jobs, and schoolwork, she sometimes found herself homesick and overwhelmed.

“I knew I was in the right place, but when you’re growing up, you’re probably struggling a little as well,” she said.

During her time with Brandt, she learned invaluable lessons about horsemanship, hard work, and caring for upper-level horses. But after a year and a half, with one horse sold and a lease on another coming to an end, Norris found herself at a crossroads. College—and a full scholarship—offered an opportunity to explore another path.

She enrolled at the University of Central Florida on a Bright Futures scholarship, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology in May 2024. But her break from horses didn’t last long. Within months of starting college, she purchased another Thoroughbred, gradually bringing him along through the lower levels while continuing her studies. The experience only reinforced where she wanted to be.

“Everything has drawn me back to horses ... this is where I want to be,” she said.

She eventually returned to Ocala and continued riding with Brandt, although finding the right horse and the means to afford one remained a challenge.

That’s where 14-year-old Anderboch Flier entered the picture.

Norris had known the Thoroughbred for nearly two years before purchasing him. He had been brought into Brandt’s program by another rider and later returned to be sold. As Brandt’s assistant rider, Norris had opportunities to ride him and quickly recognized his potential. There was just one problem: She already had a horse and couldn’t afford to keep two.

After selling her previous mount, Norris began leasing Flier in August 2024, hoping she could somehow find a way to make the partnership permanent. She watched as prospective buyers tried him, only to pass him over in favor of something flashier.

Eventually, she made an offer based on what she could afford. To her surprise, it was accepted, and the purchase became official on her birthday that October.

After starting at the lower levels for their initial outings, the pair soon tackled their first CCI2*-L at TerraNova (Myakka City, Florida) in November of 2024, an eye-opening experience for Norris who had never ridden a horse with quite so much power.

“It really was a humbling experience in a way, because I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m really gonna have to learn to ride this horse,’” she recalled.

She got to work, both in the saddle and in the gym, gradually developing the strength, confidence, and partnership needed to move up the levels. After gaining more experience at Preliminary, they progressed to Intermediate and the three-star level, with an Advanced debut beginning to feel like a realistic possibility.

Still, Norris wasn’t interested in rushing the process. “I don’t want to be chasing the qualifications,” she said. “I want to do it when it’s right, because I want to do right by him, and make him feel confident, myself confident.”

Instead of moving up in the spring of this year, she opted for another Intermediate run. By this fall, the pieces were coming together. At The Fork at Tryon CCI3*-S in September, the pair recorded what Norris described as a personal-best dressage performance, jumped clear in show jumping, and cruised around cross-country. The performance gave Norris the confidence she needed to enter Advanced at the Florida Horse Park.

Right Where She Belongs

For Brandt, who has watched Norris develop from a teenager struggling to navigate Training-level courses into a capable upper-level rider, the milestone was especially rewarding.

“She’s worked super hard to get to where she has,” he said. “When we made the decision to enter her first Advanced at the Florida Horse Park earlier this month, I think there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was going to go really well.”

He added, “She left the start box and put together all of her experience in that next six minutes, and it was awesome to watch.”

For Norris, having Brandt’s support—and competing at a venue where she’d grown up—helped settle the inevitable nerves. The familiar surroundings were made even more special by the friends and supporters who approached her throughout the weekend to offer congratulations.

“It’s just so incredible to me that I have all these people rooting for me,” she said. “It just makes my heart so happy.”

The Florida Horse Park has also become an important part of Norris’ professional life. Earlier this year, she launched her own photography and social media business, Andy Media, named in a nod to Flier. With encouragement from fellow equestrian and mentor Cindy Lay, who helped her purchase her professional camera, Norris began building a business that combines her passion for horses with her longtime interest in photography. Her work now includes creating content for the Florida Horse Park, bringing her connection to the venue full circle in yet another way.

Between running her business, riding, and caring for Flier, Norris has built a life around the sport she loves. And Flier, once a somewhat reserved horse who spent considerable time on the sales market, has blossomed into an affectionate, if occasionally opinionated, partner.

“He’s really grown into himself,” she said, describing a horse who now seeks out her attention and loves a good back scratch. “Sometimes I do think he’s smarter than I am. He’s just a dude.”

Looking ahead, Norris hopes to gain experience at the four-star level when the time is right. But she’s also determined to appreciate how far they’ve already come. “I got him to do two-stars, and whatever I got on top of that was just a gift,” she said.

Brandt believes her determination will continue to take her far. “She’s certainly got the grit and the work ethic and the determination and attitude to be able to do this, and do it successfully over a long period of time,” he said.

For now, Norris is savoring a milestone that once seemed years away—and looking forward to whatever comes next.

“I just had really one of the best days of my life,” she said. “And I’ve enjoyed it. I’m still enjoying it, but now it’s back to work. We’ve still got things to do.”

Do you or someone you know have a interesting story to share? Email MaryJo Peters to discuss opportunities to share it on the USEA website or social media!