Sara Mittleider is a 23 year old rising star in the sport of Three Day Eventing.

She and her horse, El Primero, leaped onto the international eventing radar screen in 2004 with their 13th place finish at the Fairhill International CCI*** Three Day Event in Elkton, MD.

The following spring they place 18th at the Rolex Kentucky International CCI **** Three Day Event in Lexington, KY. Sara is the youngest rider to ever complete the 4 star event.

She competed with El Primero at Rolex in 2006 and was again the highest placing young rider, finishing in 14th place. She was also awarded the coveted Best Conditioned Horse Award. This showing against some of the top Olympic level riders in the World gained them an invitation from the United States Equestrian Federation to travel to England, train with the US team, and be a team alternate for the World Equestrian Games which were held in Aachen, Germany that summer.

In 2007 they competed at the Kentucky Three Day Event and finished in 12th place, again the highest placing young rider. She is the first rider to win the award 3 times.

They also placed 2nd in the 2007 World Cup Qualifier. She and El Primero are currently working toward selection to the US Equestrian Eventing Team for the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in China later this year.

Sara trains event horses and teaches dressage and jumping lessons throughout the US and at her family’s farm in Kuna, Idaho.

El Primero, aka, Tony is a 1995 Thoroughbred gelding. He is 15.2 hands with his shoes on. He is a bay with a star on his face. Tony was bred and foaled in Nampa, Idaho by Jesus Trejo. He is the first foal for his dam, Classic Allure, hence his name "The First" in Spanish.

El Primero began his racing career at Les Bois Park in Boise, Idaho under the watchful eye of trainer Robert Gilbert. He ran a total of 6 races at age 2 and 3 never out running a single horse. Clearly racing was not the career for him. Trainer, Bob, mentioned to the Mittleiders that he had a small horse in his racing stable that might make a nice 4-H horse. El Primero was purchased with another horse in a package deal with idea that he would be a resale project.

After being shown to several prospective buyers, and rejected due his small stature, Sara claimed him for her own and gave him the barn name of Tony.

He is living up to his name, The First.
Here is his list of firsts.