Boyd Martin to Pay Tribute to Annie Goodwin at Paris Olympics – NBC Chicago

The dream can sometimes outlive the dreamer. It carries on, moving closer to its realization, even after the person who first formulated the vision is no longer there to see it reached. Chasing the dream, whether it comes true or not, keeps the memory of the dreamer alive.

Annie Goodwin, a former equestrian who tragically passed away at the age of 32 in a training accident in 2021, will not be at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, her horse Bruno, her trainer Boyd Martin, and her dream will be. Martin, a three-time Olympian, had been working with Goodwin up until her untimely death when she reached the height of her success in eventing. Just months before her passing, Goodwin rode Bruno to a sixth-place finish at the Prestigious Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Goodwin had been born into an equestrian family and had a deep love for horses from a young age. She pursued eventing and found Bruno, a horse she believed in wholeheartedly. Goodwin’s dedication and hard work with Bruno led them to success in the competitive world of eventing. Her tragic accident cut short what seemed to be a promising career on the rise.

Boyd Martin, who had his own Olympic dreams and a background in equestrian sports, had the privilege of working with Goodwin and Bruno. He witnessed Goodwin’s dedication and talent firsthand and felt the weight of her loss deeply. Martin made a promise to Goodwin’s father to continue riding Bruno in her honor, a gesture that meant a lot to the Goodwin family.

The partnership between Martin and Bruno took time to develop, as the horse had only known Goodwin. However, through patience and understanding, Martin and Bruno formed a strong bond. Their success in competitions after Goodwin’s passing was a testament to the hard work and dedication that Goodwin had put into training Bruno.

Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Martin and Bruno are focused on competing for a gold medal in eventing and honoring Goodwin’s dream. Martin acknowledges the emotional weight of the situation but remains determined to make Goodwin proud by fulfilling her dream.

In the end, the dream that Goodwin had for herself and Bruno lives on through Martin and their continued success in the world of eventing. The memory of Goodwin as a talented rider and trainer is kept alive through the dedication and passion of those who continue to chase the dream she had envisioned. Goodwin’s legacy lives on in the partnership between Martin and Bruno, as they strive for greatness in her honor.