Deloitte, a major accounting and financial consulting firm, announced they would sponsor Laura Graves on April 4 at a reception at Betsy Juliano’s Havensafe Farm in Wellington, Fla. Deloitte is a longtime supporter of the U.S. Olympic Committee, but this is their first sponsorship of an individual equestrian athlete.

“This is an exciting milestone for us,” said Deloitte principal Judith Sloan, an avid amateur dressage rider who has earned her USDF bronze and silver medals. “I have been watching Laura’s journey closely over the past six years—during that time, she has demonstrated the pursuit of excellence, sportsmanship, teamwork and determination that we look for in both our talent and the athletes whom we sponsor.”

Sloan has encouraged the company to support equestrian sport and at the end of 2014, Deloitte approached Graves about a possible sponsorship through the 2016 Olympic Games (Brazil). Graves, 27, splashed onto the international dressage team with her own Verdades, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Florett AS—Liwilarda, Goya) gelding, when the pair rode to fifth in the freestyle at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (France).

Graves’ parents purchased “Diddy” off of a sales video as a yearling, and she’s competed the gelding up the levels. After winning the CDI freestyle three consecutive times at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (Fla.) this winter, Graves, Geneva, Fla., will head to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final (Nev.) in a few weeks, and then she’s aiming for this year’s Pan American Games in Canada. 

“I could not be more honored to wear the name Deloitte!” stated Graves on her Facebook wall. “It wholeheartedly represents our strive for international success and continued excellence. By continuing our education, personally and professionally, there is nothing we can’t do! “I am both thrilled and honored to be a part of Deloitte’s group of athletes,” she continued. “The firm’s support will allow me the freedom to focus on my goals and my horse as we move towards the World Cup, the Pan Am Games, and hopefully on to Rio in 2016.”

Typically Graves’ training with trainer and USEF Developing Rider Coach Debbie McDonald is sporadic since she has to split her time between training and running her own business to keep funds up. With Deloitte’s support, she will have consistent training as she looks forward to the major championships in the next few years and will be able to focus on her goals.

“I think it’s incredibly flattering to be chosen by a company as highly regarded with the reputation for being successful in every division they’re working. I see myself very much along the same lines. Even though I might have one top horse—it’s the real focus on the details and very much every day wanting to be the best at it,” she said.

In addition to monetary support, Deloitte will help Graves gain exposure beyond the equestrian world by giving her the opportunity to tell her story at leadership conferences and to Deloitte clients.