Sinead Halpin Maynard

For Sinead Maynard, horses were always in her blood. Her mother, Bernadette, grew up in a horse-loving family in Ireland, where their ponies were allowed into the house for evening tea. When young Sinead told her mother that she wanted a pony for Christmas, the request was taken seriously, and Sinead started riding at her family’s home in South Carolina.

Under the tutelage of Stuart Black, Sinead had an impressive career as a young event rider. She made her CCI3* debut at age 19 on her New Zealand Thoroughbred, Cruizin On. During that competition, she caught the eye of eventing legends David O’Connor and Captain Mark Phillips, and afterward, she was given the opportunity to move to the UK for a few years to ride and train. After returning to the US, Sinead continued to compete at the upper levels with Glitterari before eventually acquiring the ride on Manoir De Carneville (known in the barn as Tate). The pair quickly proved to be an excellent match and finished 2010 as part of the silver medal team at the Nations Cup in Holland. In 2011, they won the CCI5* National Championship at Rolex Kentucky, finishing 3rd overall and the highest placed American. In 2012, Sinead and Tate were first alternates for the 2012 London Olympic Games and finished second at Burghley CCI5*.

In 2014, Sinead and Tate logged another top 5 finish at Kentucky CCI5* before being named to the US Equestrian Team for the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

As if her incredible riding resume wasn’t enough, Sinead is an ICP level three certified instructor and has coached Area 2 Young Riders to multiple team and individual gold medals. She finds joy and fulfillment in teaching, learning, and exploring the horse-human relationship. Her primary focus is on bridging the gap between good horsemanship and High Performance sport.

Alongside her husband Tik, Sinead lives in Ocala, Florida, and runs their own Copperline Farm, which is named after a famous song by James Taylor, one of Sinead’s father’s favorite artists.

Sinead also hosts our popular In Stride podcast series, conducting insightful interviews with riders and coaches from all over the world!