Team Mildred Press

Competing at just seven years old, Mildred Tanglao is a testament to the equestrian sport. She began sitting in the driver's seat at just two years old, but not without help from her mom, Jessica Tanglao! Jessica shared, “I would be driving pairs mostly at that point, and she [Millie] would sit in my lap, grab the reins, and steer while I held on to her.” Mildred’s advice for anyone interested in beginning their driving debut is “Always slow down before your turn.”

 

Mildred was the only competitor in the Exhibition Under Ten - Single Pony Division during the 2025 Tryon CDE competition. Partnered with the 2009 Shetland gelding, James Alexander Malcom Mackenzie Fraser, better known by his driver as “Jammie or Jam Jam”, Mildred participated in the Dressage, Marathon, and Cones phases. Describing Jam Jam as “spicy”, her strategy was “a lot of half-halts!”

 

After three days and phases of competition they finished the weekend on a total score of 323.54. Dressage earned them a 90.49, 219.05 points in the Marathon, and 14.00 points in the Cones division. “The Marathon phase is my favorite because I like the water obstacles.” Tanglao explained. This pair has their eyes set on the Live Oak International competition, set to take place March 2026.

 

“I really like Tryon because the [obstacles] are bigger than the Live Oak ones. The spaces aren’t so small and tight, so I can go fast around my turns!” Outside of the equestrian action at Tryon International, Millie enjoyed the “triangles [quesadillas]” from Taco Mundo, and the carousel where “there's also a teacup in there, so that you can get an extra spin!”