PrintAt the conclusion of the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Level Clinic, two riders, Richard Neal and Carly Anthony, were named the winners after displaying exceptional leadership, horsemanship and natural talent over the weekend.
“Ricky and Carly are both very natural riders—very soft and fluid, and horses like them,” said Melanie Smith Taylor. “They’re fighters, but they’re quiet fighters. They handle the pressure with a cool head, and they ride beautifully and effectively.”
Neal, Pasadena, Calif., hopes to make the Zone 10 Young Rider team this year and move up to grand prix. He said that participating in this clinic meant a lot for him and offered him a chance to learn and grow towards becoming a professional.
“Ricky was one of my favorites from the very beginning as he possessed such natural talent, but I wasn’t sure how much of a horseman he was or wanted to be,” said Taylor. “As I watched him throughout the three levels I saw huge changes in his desire to become a complete horseman, and that was what was most important to me. He came up to me after the awards ceremony and told me that this program changed the direction of his career.”
Anthony, Redmond, Wash., is a freshman at the University of Georgia where she competes on the school’s varsity equestrian team. She felt that her experience in the EAP helped her to realize how much she still needs to learn.
“Being a talented rider is only 1/10th of what makes you a great rider and a great horseman,” she said. “The EAP has motivated me to try harder.”
“As Carly progressed, I saw changes she was willing to make to help her become a better rider,” said Taylor. “She also developed the curiosity and motivation to learn more about horse care and horse management.”
The participants were put into three teams of four today, Jan. 10, and contested a Nations Cup style competition that allowed the riders to showcase their skills and what they learned this weekend. Team Sapphire—Alexa Anthony, Arden Cone, Molly Osier and Neal—emerged the winners after two rounds, the only team to end the competition on zero faults. Team Authentic—Amelia McArdle, Elizabeth Kenny, Nelson Bierwith and Hayley Barnhill—finished second with 8 faults, and Team Fein Cera—Nick Gegen, Matt Wildung, Kathryn Haley and Carly Anthony—were third with 15 faults.
At the press conference following the awards ceremony, many of the riders expressed how much being part of a team meant to them, and that the competition today was the highlight of the weekend.
“A lot of people lose sight that when you get to this level it’s not an individual sport anymore,” said Carly, Redmond, Wash. “It was a challenge to find the team mentality, but we all came together and supported each other. I’m very proud of the rest of my peers for riding the best they could today.”
“I really wanted them to feel the camaraderie, yet pressure, of riding on a team in a Nations Cup format,” added Taylor. “I was thrilled to hear them say it was one of their most memorable moments of the weekend, having that level of team spirit.”
