Daily Planet's Legacy
Daily Planet, a nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Diacontinus x Quaid I, joined the Holland family in December 2022. The Hollands and their daughter Marlene brought “Clark,” as he was known in the barn, to Windsor Stables in Georgia a month later to train with Michael Britt-Leon. The dark bay gelding came from trainer Colin Syquia to be a junior hunter for Marlene, and their partnership was cemented when the pair won the Junior Hunter 3’3” Classic at the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). They went on to great success in the division in the following years.
“All of Marlene’s horses are like her pets,” said Britt-Leon. “She dotes on them all. She grazes and plays with them. She brings them all their own treats. There was definitely a big place in the Hollands’ hearts for Clark.”
Daily Planet was one of six horses donated for the 2025 World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Professional Final at the Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS). That year’s winner, Nick Haness, had his best score with Clark in the final handy round. Clark was honored with The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy for the Best Horse as he tallied the highest final scores of 90.66, 92.33, 93.33, and 95.33.
Daily Planet was honored with The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy for the Best Horse in the 2025 WCHR Professional Finals, shown with USHJA Executive Director Whitney Allen, trainer Michael Britt-Leon, and Marlene Holland.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Following an illness shortly after Capital Challenge, Daily Planet was laid to rest. To honor their special horse, the Hollands and Britt-Leon commissioned a painting from Sharon Lynn Campbell, CCHS’s official artist, which appeared on the cover of the 2026 CCHS prize list.
We spoke with Britt-Leon, who also won the 2020 WCHR Pro Finals, about this special horse and his legacy.
How did you decide to donate Clark for the WCHR Pro Final?
He was competing at CCHS, and I have always wanted to support the class that gave me so much. I went to the Hollands and suggested we donate horses for the class because it’s so special, and they agreed. Clark sealed the deal for Nick to win, which was really exciting for everyone involved.
The painting captures a quiet moment between Clark and Marlene. Was that based on a photo you chose?
Sharon and I chose the photo together. It was a surprise for Marlene. We wanted it to be exactly the kind of quiet moment that shows the sport is more than just those ribbons. It shows why we do this, and the connection we have with our horses. They’re more than competitors; they're our family. I think that's what makes the sport so interesting and complicated. We all start because we love these animals, and I think the moment that was captured is so real. It’s a perfect example of how most girls feel about their horses, right?
Daily Planet, with owner Marlene Holland, is featured on the cover of the 2026 CCHS Prize List in a painting by Sharon Lynn Campbell based on a photo by Anne Gittins.
What was Clark’s personality?
He was very goofy, sensitive, and playful. He loved Marlene. He nickered to her down the barn aisle. He was a kind horse that really tried hard. You had to be quite soft with him; we didn’t use a crop or spurs, and he went in a very soft rubber bit. He was a really kind horse that deserved more time, and that’s devastating. While he was here, he left an imprint on quite a few people.
What does it mean to have a beautiful memento of this horse?
This is a beautiful tribute to a horse that made a young girl's dreams come true. Sharon is incredible, and she's created a lot of artwork for us in the past. I've always been completely obsessed with everything she does.
It’s an honor for Sharon to paint this horse, and her work is magnificent. It’s also an honor to have him on the CCHS prize list cover. It is a great tribute, and hopefully it will remind everyone that, when we're in the pressure cooker of showing, we should show grace to our animals and ourselves and remember the real reason that we do this.