The Annie Goodwin Rising Star Fund & Grant

Elle Choate, a year-round Aiken resident and emerging talent in the sport of eventing, represents exactly the type of rider the Rising Star Grant seeks to uplift: hardworking, determined, community-minded, and deeply committed to developing horses with care and integrity. A graduate of Clemson University with dual degrees in Bio-Engineering and Genetics, Choate has quickly built a growing training and sales program in Aiken while producing her two competition horses, Paddrick and Kilbunny Sangria, up the levels. 

In her application, Choate outlined an ambitious year ahead. Her short-term goals include advancing Paddrick toward a competitive appearance at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event following key 4* preparations at Maryland, TerraNova, Pine Top, Carolina, and Stable View. Her young mare, Kilbunny Sangria, will also progress toward FEI 2* level competition. Longer-term, Choate hopes to develop a small but successful program of upper-level horses, cultivate a supportive group of owners, and ultimately represent the United States on the world stage. 

“I am truly honored to be selected as the recipient of the 2026 Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant. Although I never had the opportunity to know Annie personally, the stories shared by friends and the Aiken community make it clear why she was such an influential presence. As a fellow eventer, I feel we share the same passion for the sport and love of our horses. It means a great deal to carry on her legacy. This grant will play a pivotal role in helping me pursue my goals at the highest levels of eventing while continuing to grow my business here. I’m excited for the year ahead—both in competition and in calling Aiken home.” 

Taylor Bradish began her lifelong passion for horses at only four years old. A Flagstaff, Arizona native, at nineteen years young, she decided to uproot and move completely across the United States to begin training at a renowned combined driving facility in Windsor, South Carolina known as Katydid Farm. 

Since then, Taylor's combined driving career has flourished and her many accolades include 3 Time USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving National Champions and the highest placed US pair at the 2022 and 2024 FEI Combined Driving World Championships.

She now owns and operates Golden Carriage Driving, a premier destination for training and boarding of combined driving horses located in Windsor, SC.

 "I am incredibly honored to have been chosen to receive the 2025 Annie Goodwin Rising Star Grant. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet Annie. I have heard many great things about her lifelong dedication to her sport, which is something I think we would have had in common. Receiving this grant will be instrumental in helping me towards my goals of growing the sport of Combined Driving, as well as continuing to develop my training business and competing at the international level."