From Springtown to Paris, Bucks County equestrian Caroline Pamukcu has brought local pride to new heights after her performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Caroline competed for team USA in Eventing – an equestrian triathlon that includes dressage, cross country and show jumping. The U.S. Olympic Eventing Team finished seventh overall of 16 competing teams in the eventing portion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The equestrian events were held at the Palace of Versailles, the former royal residence commissioned by King Louis XIV.

Photo Credit: United States Eventing Association

We spoke to Caroline after her return from the Olympics. She was born and raised in Springtown, PA in Upper Bucks County. She attended school at Moravian Academy and the George School in Newtown. Her mother started taking her to a local eventing farm as soon as she was born and now as a 29 year old, eventing is what she lives for.

Caroline’s equine partner, 2015 Irish Sport Horse gelding, HSH Blake is more than a horse to her, he is her best friend. She stated, “I call him a unicorn, he is a once in a lifetime horse.” He was one of the youngest horses at the Paris Olympics competing in eventing. HSH Blake has achieved seven international wins throughout his career with Pamukcu. The pair earned a team silver medal and individual gold in their first championship representing the U.S. Eventing Team at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. Caroline Pamukcu says “He’s more than a horse, he is a family member. He is so special.”

Photo Credit: United States Eventing Association

Training for high-level competitions requires preparation, dedication and sacrifice – that's what we learned after speaking with Caroline Pamukcu. She starts her day at 5 am by doing a one hour workout with her trainer. Around 8 am, she begins riding and trains all day until around 5 pm, then she eats and goes to sleep, just to do it all over again the next day. For this sport, horse and rider have to be physically and mentally fit.

Caroline utilizes Bucks County's back roads and takes 10 mile rides that give her and her horses a mental break, but also gets them in great physical shape. She stated, “We have such a special community because all of my neighbors will come out and say hi and ask how I'm doing, and that's what is so special about our area. There's just such a big community.”

This was Caroline Pamukcu's first Olympic Games, although she has a lot of practice on the world stage. She mentioned that this was a very special experience, although it did feel like just another big competition. Her favorite memory from the Paris Olympics was hearing the crowds cheering while she was getting ready at the barns, which were a mile away. She said “I've never quite heard anything like that. It was really special.”

The sky is the limit for Caroline Pamukcu. She has her eyes set on a gold medal at both the World Championships in two years and a gold medal at the 2028 LA Olympics with her horse, HSH Blake. Her advice to an aspiring Olympian is “Keep your head down and keep working. If you never give up, you will eventually make it. There's always a way.”