Megan McIver’s Plan to Turn Seventh into Selection

Megan McIver sat down with Annie Bishop on this week's US Equestrian Open podcast to talk horses, risk-taking, and the goal she's finally saying out loud. Find the full episode here.

A California Beginning

Megan is a California rider through and through. She grew up riding at Webb Ranch in Portola Valley after convincing her dad that she needed to ride horses. Eventually, beach trail rides weren't enough. Lessons followed. Then competition. Then a life built around the sport.

Like many eventers, she didn't come from a deep equestrian background. What she had was work ethic. In high school, she rode multiple horses a day, then came home to finish homework late into the night. At Cal Poly, she balanced a full-time degree in accounting , a sorority, and worked for former Olympian Gina Miles and Bec Braitling. Megan was Gina’s assistant trainer and it was here that she got really serious about the sport. 

Building Something of Her Own

After formative years with Gina Miles, Bec Braitling and Brian Sabo, Megan returned to Northern California to build something of her own. She established McIver Equestrian at the Horse Park at Woodside; a serious base with four-star events on site, world-class facilities and the infrastructure to match her ambitions.

Just 15 minutes away is Eric Duvander, with whom she works and trains full time. The support system is intentional, the set-up is strategic, and her business is growing due to it.

Igor B: The Risk 

If there's one horse Open fans will recognise, it's Igor B. He is known at home as Rupert but was originally named Cuddles by the breeder's daughter.

However, they are a partnership that almost didn't happen. Megan saw him in the UK while trying a different horse. The video didn't sell her and she couldn't afford him. But when she watched him walk just three steps in person, she knew.

Buying Igor B meant risk. Loans. Stretching beyond what felt comfortable.

But Megan leaned on the advice of long-time supporters Leo Wang: life is about taking risks and sometimes you have to get uncomfortable to move forward.

So she bought Rupert.

Now, after two full seasons together, which included Megan’s first step up to four-star level, a seventh-place finish in the inaugural US Equestrian Open Series of Eventing signals that the foundations are firmly in place. The process is starting to pay off.

The next step? Go faster. When it feels right, be braver against the clock.

Kapitan Sparrow XII: The Journey

Kapitan Sparrow XII might be the most meaningful horse in the barn. He arrived hot, spooky, running through fences, and definitely not an obvious four-star prospect. But Megan saw something worth the investment.

They've worked through setbacks (including a colic episode en route to competition). They've managed quirks. They've grown up together. Last season saw their step up to four-star where he jumped clear cross-country in both of his two starts at the level. 

The Goal on the Wall

In her tack room, Megan keeps written plans for each horse - two years out, three, five. At the top of her own list sits something bigger.

For a long time, she kept that quiet. Now she is practising saying it out loud. Because saying it makes it real.

The US Equestrian Open is part of that picture. Not as a stepping stone, but as a championship in its own right. For combinations like Megan and Rupert, it is both opportunity and objective. A structured season to measure progress.

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