ABOUT
Babette Lenna
Babette Lenna specializes in three-day eventing and has over 15 years experience training and competing horses through the Advanced and CCI4*-S level.
Her expertise includes training young or difficult horses, helping riders from all disciplines to understand how to build a successful program with their horse, and providing them with the tools they need to accomplish their goals.
Her long-term goals include continuing to grow and train her string of horses to compete at the top levels of eventing while expanding her training and competition programs for her clients. Babette prides herself in continuing her own education to become a better trainer, competitor, and instructor; and strongly values the perseverance, work ethic, and continuing education required to ride at the highest levels.
Babette has been privileged to learn from some of the best instructors in the sport. She grew up riding with advanced eventer Caroline Atherholt and was a working student for Phillip Dutton, as well as working as Kelli Temple's head groom and barn manager.
She has been a student of Sally Cousins, Eric Horgan, Ashley MacVaugh, Jan Byyny, Bobby Costello, Matt Brown, and Tim Bourke. Babette has had the privilege to hone her dressage skills with FEI riders and trainers Tanya Reenie, Beth Barritt, and Liz Austin.
Babette purchased Dara Knot, a new permanent home base in Aiken, South Carolina in 2022. Formerly known as Paradise Farm, she is thrilled to build on the property's storied foundation and maintain a schooling operation on the farm. She also maintains a summer base at Hi Rok Farm in Essex, Massachusetts, and teaches at Rest and Be Thankful Farm in Lyman, Maine and across New England.
Image courtesy of Abigail Powell
Horses
Quality Collusion
We are excited to welcome Quality Collusion, “Picco” to the B Eventing Family!
Picco is a 5yo Irish Sport Horse by OBOS Quality imported in 2020 by Tim Bourke and was The Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast 4-year-old Reserve Champion in 2020. Pico is an all-around quality horse with incredible movement and a really impressive jump who shows a lot of promise and potential to be a top-level, top-class horse. He's just at the beginning of his career, and I am thrilled to be partnering with him as he grows!
As you know, it takes so much support to bring along a horse like Picco. I’m so grateful to all who have made this possible, notably Tim and Marley Stone Bourke of Bourke Eventing, and can’t wait to see where Picco takes us!
Image courtesy Lynnette Cennami
Marketscan - Retired
“Coco” is a 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding, out of Young Blackie and bred by Irish breeder Donal Barnwell. Coco was trained by British team member Gemma Tattersall and was acquired by Babette and her aunt Babette Brandt in 2013 at the Goresbridge Go for Gold sale in Ireland.
In 2019, Babette and Coco achieved a competition highlight and completed the CCI3* at the Dutta Corp/Fair Hill International Three-Day Event. Babette and her aunt made the decision to retire Coco in the summer of 2021, and wish the best of luck with the sweetest boy to Barrett D'Orio and her family!
Image courtesy of Abigail Powell
Image courtesy of Abigail Powell
Little Oliver - Retired
“Oliver” is a 2002 Thoroughbred (Oliver's Twist x Little Dyna) gelding. Babette brought Oliver along through the ranks of the sport from the start of his career through the Advanced level from 2008 - 2016. With the support of Pamela Eckelbarger and HoofPix Sport Horse Photography, LLC, Babette had the opportunity to produce Oliver at a pace that allowed him to find his way with each step. It wasn't obvious whether Oliver truly wanted to be an upper-level event horse until he was there!
In the Fall of 2016, Babette made the very difficult decision to allow Oliver to move on to his next partner in life: a wonderful Area 1 Young Rider. It has been an honor to watch Little Oliver teach his new rider and see them grow together over the past few years!
The Team
Babette recognizes that you are only strong as the team behind you, and relies on her top-notch team to keep her professional (and sane!).
Image courtesy Bark Hollow Photography
Image courtesy Jen Montfort
Image courtesy Michele Jeffrey Photography
Jen Chociej
Jen has been a pivotal part of the team since 2012. Our barn manager since 2013, Jen brings a wealth of knowledge to the care and management of our horses and in every aspect of running our farm. We are exceptionally lucky to have her — no one is more dedicated to the care of every horse in our program and on the property. A 2003 graduate of the Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, Jen currently competes her Thoroughbred Maestro in local dressage and jumper shows.
Madison Blodgett
Madison came to B Eventing in 2022 and quickly became a vital part of the team. Growing up under the guidance of Audrey and Sandy Bean in Maine, she has a quiet way with the horses, strong worl ethic, and fierce determination to be successful.
She has developed a few horses up through the training leve, and this spring partnered with “Mac," Nick Olijslager’s horse, who is helping her to develop into an upper level rider. The two have formed a quick relationship and we are excited to watch them progress.
Madison helps us with the training of the client horses and is the “girl in charge” and keeps everything running smoothly at Dara Knot.
Syndication
B Eventing team members also include those who support Babette's competition horses. Babette is actively looking for opportunities to grow her string of competition horses and take on the development of young horses. Being involved in the growth of an upper-level event horse is a unique and exciting experience.
Ready to be part of the B Eventing team?
Image courtesy of Abigail Powell
Image courtesy Jen Montfort