Equestrian Hudson Clarke Finds Success
on the National Stage
Carrollwood Day School ninth grader Hudson Clarke is making his mark on the national equestrian stage. After just two months with his new horse, Milo, he earned a national championship and a reserve championship. Discover how his passion and perseverance helped him reach these incredible heights.
For the past six years, Hudson Clarke has dedicated himself to the equestrian world, balancing a rigorous education at Carrollwood Day School with riding four days a week at West Coast Morgans. His commitment extends well beyond the arena, reflecting the responsibility, discipline, and care that define a successful equestrian.
Hudson has logged more than 1,000 hours serving as a camp counselor during summer and winter breaks. He also assists his trainers with daily barn responsibilities, from caring for horses to cleaning tack, and treasures the time he spends bonding with his Morgan horse, Milo. His compassion for horses even inspired his eighth grade Middle Years Programme (MYP) project at CDS, through which he raised nearly $4,000 to help fund surgery for a rescued horse at the barn with a debilitating disease.
This dedication has carried Hudson to the national stage. In October, he competed at Morgan Grand Nationals in Oklahoma City, the premier national competition for Morgan horses and equestrians. This marked his third year competing at Nationals, but a new partnership and a more competitive age group made this year's experience especially meaningful.
Hudson met his horse Milo in July and had just two months to qualify for Nationals, an impressive challenge considering that only top placing riders from regional competitions throughout the year earn the opportunity to compete. Hudson believed in Milo from the beginning, and their growing partnership gave him the confidence to challenge himself and embrace new opportunities.
His hard work paid off in a remarkable way. Competing as a Junior Exhibitor Hunt Seat Rider, Hudson won the national championship in a field of 11 riders and earned reserve champion honors in his World Championship class, placing second among 18 competitors. These outstanding results reflect his dedication and ability to shine among some of the nation’s most talented young equestrians.
Behind this success is a tremendous amount of preparation. Hudson works with a personal trainer who specializes in high level equestrian athletes, a performance coach who helps him navigate the pressure of competition, and a dietitian who supports his nutritional needs. Just as importantly, he has the encouragement of his family, trainers, and the CDS community as he balances the demands of competitive riding with his academic responsibilities.
At CDS, Hudson has the opportunity to pursue his passion while continuing to grow as a student. His family's gratitude for that support was evident.
“As we board our final flight home from Morgan Grand Nationals in Oklahoma City, I wanted to express our immense gratitude for your support of Hudson as he pursues his passion as a student equestrian. This has been an incredible year!
We are thrilled to tell you Hudson placed FIRST in the nation and second in his World Championship class! For Hudson to be able to perform at this level and maintain a rigorous academic schedule is a blessing! He could not have done it without you all!”
Hudson's accomplishments reflect not only his talent and determination, but also the value of a school community that supports students as they pursue meaningful interests beyond the classroom. His experience is a powerful example of what it means to be a risk-taker, embracing challenges, trusting the preparation, and stepping beyond his comfort zone to achieve something extraordinary.
Looking ahead, Hudson hopes to become an equine veterinarian. His experience as a rider gives him firsthand insight into the physical demands and specialized care these remarkable animals require. He also hopes to use his success to inspire others, especially the younger campers he mentors, to believe in themselves, take on new challenges, and pursue goals that may initially feel out of reach.
Congratulations to Hudson on an outstanding national performance! His success is a wonderful reminder of what students can accomplish when passion, hard work, a willingness to take risks, and a supportive community come together.