September 24, 2025 
In the fall of 2022, Zacko Hardin lucked into the horse that would make him a Grand Prix rider.
TSH First Edition, a KWPN gelding lightly produced by the Netherland’s Kim Emmen and Ireland’s Alex Duffy up to the 1.40m level, was in a sales barn in Ireland when he was brought to the attention of Hardin’s mom, Kristin. The horse’s previous owner had tragically passed away. One quickly arranged trial later, “Bebo,” as he’s known in the barn, was imported to America.
“He wasn’t originally intended for me,” shared Hardin, 19.
“We had a partner on him, and then we ended getting out of that partnership, and my mom let me ride Bebo. It was a such an incredible opportunity. I knew from the first day that I rode him, this is my horse. I loved the way he went, I loved how scrappy he was, how much he wanted to jump.”
At that particular juncture in time, Hardin was short on horsepower. He’d recently retired his top horse, Luna, and was struggling to pay show entries on the mounts he was developing.
“I had two young horses that I was trying to make work. I was jumping around in the 1.20ms, and I was just hemorrhaging money, basically.”
Dale Harvey, of West Palm Events, encouraged Hardin to apply for a Michael Nyuis Foundation grant. The 501c3, now in its tenth year, awards 12 to 18 show grants annually to riders aged 14–25 who lack the resources to compete consistently.
Some 150 applicants apply every year. Hardin was named a recipient in 2023 and has been a staple in the program for the past three years. One of the core benefits is waived entry fees at all West Palm shows.
“When I got that opportunity, it was a no-brainer that we would drive to every West Palm show that we could to keep developing and utilize the grant to the fullest. We’re still doing that,” said Hardin.
“It took a lot of pressure off of me and my family to have the space to develop my riding and my career without it being such a heavy [financial burden].”
Hardin says the flexibility of guaranteed time in the show ring gave him the freedom to make mistakes—and learn from them.
“It really changed my riding. My whole relationship with Bebo has been built at Dale’s shows,” he continued. “Without the grant, I wouldn’t be in the grand prix right now.”
In addition to free entries, the foundation also helps organize clinics and workshops with top riders for its grant recipients. Over the past three years, Hardin has had the chance to learn from Olympians Cassio Rivetti (BRA), McLain Ward (USA), Tiffany Foster (CAN), Richard Spooner (USA) and Jessica Springsteen (USA), among others.
“It’s given me so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. I think of where I am now versus where I was, and it’s such a drastic difference. I really owe so much of that to the Michael Nyuis Foundation. It changed my life. It changed my riding.”
Last week at Sonoma Horse Park, Hardin put those learnings to good use. Aboard Kleiner Clooney, he won the $10,000 #WeRideTogether Open Jumper Classic 1.15m, a charity class supporting #WeRideTogether’s work to eliminate sexual misconduct in all sports via prevention education.
It’s a cause Hardin says is close to his heart. “I’ve had so many friends that have had issues with their trainers and issues with people in a sport and what [founder] Carrie [Kehring] has done with #WeRideTogether has really made a huge positive impact for them. So I’m seeing it not only on a social level, but also on a personal level, how important something like this is in our sport.”
“We are continuously grateful for Sonoma Horse Park’s support and commend them on their efforts to build community around doing good,” echoed #WeRideTogether Executive Director Michaela Callie.
The #WeRideTogether class was followed by a benefit concert sponsored by Three Mares on behalf of Giant Steps, #WeRideTogether and Michael Nyuis Foundation. It was a full circle moment for Hardin.
And the next step for a young rider looking for his next lucky break.
“I’m so passionate about the sport. I love the horses. I love showing. I love every part of it from developing them to jumping the Grand Prix. I hope someday someone will see me and be like he is the one I want to ride my Grand Prix horse. Those are my hopes and dreams.”
Learn more and access free prevention resources at WeRideTogether.today. For more on the Michael Nyuis Foundation visit nyuisfoundation.org.
