Malachi Hinton

Malachi Hinton is a United States professional equestrian show jumping athlete with more than 17 years of experience in the sport. Hinton discovered her passion for riding at an inner-city stable in Hampton Roads, Virginia, where she began working to gain more riding time, started competing locally, and eventually entered the national circuit.

She developed an extensive junior career among the ranks of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Rated National Circuit, training alongside professionals in the sport, including Olympic veterans. Hinton's accomplishments include qualifying as one of the top five riders to represent USEF Zone 3—which encompasses Virginia, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and West Virginia—at the Prix Des States Junior Jumper National Championships in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she placed in the top 20 individually in the nation.

After obtaining a degree in pre-medical sciences from George Mason University, Hinton returned to riding full time. She graduated magna cum laude. Hinton established Rhema Sporthorses as a sport horse investment and competition stable—"Rhema" meaning God's spoken word. She focuses on advancing her professional career in both National Grand Prix and International (FEI) Grand Prix levels, with the goal of representing Team USA in the Olympics and other major competitions such as World Cups, Rolex Grand Slams, and Major League championships. Hinton has also trained with professionals in the sport, including Olympic veterans, and has extended her training internationally, including time spent as an American professional equestrian in Belgium.

Hinton's path in equestrian sports has required both athletic skill and entrepreneurial initiative. Funding her ambitions is a team of Black investors who support her career and participate in the ownership of elite competition horses. She has competed in two of the largest competitions in North America—the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, and the Longines Global Champions Tour in Miami Beach—with each event serving as an opportunity to build mastery toward Olympic qualification. If she qualifies for the U.S. Equestrian team in the Summer Olympics, Hinton would be the first African American to do so.

Beyond her competitive pursuits, Hinton is recognized for her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in equestrian sport. Her journey has included overcoming barriers in a sport traditionally dominated by the affluent and marked by a lack of diversity. Hinton's involvement is significant in addressing the longstanding lack of representation within equestrian sports, drawing inspiration from trailblazers in other sports. She is recognized for her entrepreneurial skills and her commitment to navigating the high-level horse sport world independently. Hinton has stated that every time she rides, she does so not only for herself but for her community, demonstrating that it is possible for an African American woman to compete at the highest levels of equestrian sport.