Hinesville rider Egner wins world championship

Louisville, KY – Longtime Hinesville resident Emily Egner achieved a major milestone by winning the coveted title of World Champion Adult Rider in the Amateur Show Pleasure Division at the prestigious World’s Championship Horse Show.

This highly competitive event, the highlight of the Kentucky State Fair, features more than 2,000 American Saddlebreds, including Egner’s exceptional partner, “Classic Design.” Together, they formed a formidable team that impressed judges and spectators alike.

“Just having the privilege of presenting this magnificent horse on the green shavings again was an honor. Winning the title of World Champion is something I have dreamed of since I was a little kid,” said Egner, 20, enthusiastically. “Although I cherished my time in Equestrian as a young exhibitor, competing as an adult was an absolute thrill. The cheers from the crowd when we were announced as World Champions were beyond my wildest dreams! I am deeply grateful to everyone at Team Milestone and of course to my parents.”

The win marks Egner’s sixth year competing at the illustrious World’s Championship Horse Show and her second year riding Classic Design as an adult. Known for their high strides and commanding presence, the American Saddlebred horses are judged on performance, manners, presence, quality and conformation – areas in which Egner and Classic Design have excelled.

Classic Design is co-owned by Emily and her parents, Tom and Kathrin Egner, who also reside in Hinesville. The horse is trained at Milestone Stables in White House, Tenn.

In addition to this latest triumph, Egner was one of 12 saddle seat riders selected to represent the U.S. at the 2024 International Saddle Seat World Cup in Paris, South Africa, next December. Egner earned a spot on the team at the Saddle Seat World Cup Selection Trials in Fulton, Missouri, last December.

The International Saddle World Cup challenges riders to work on rails and patterns on unfamiliar horses, provided by owners in the host country and selected at random. The team trials at William Woods University’s Equestrian Studies program in Fulton replicated this format, testing riders’ ability to adapt to different mounts.