USHJA Emerging Athletes Program

Melanie Smith Taylor, who helped establish the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program in 2009, and natural horsemanship trainer Mindy Bower will part ways from the EAP now that the 2011 National Training Session has concluded.

As the rider with the shiniest boots at the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, Jacob Pope will surely fulfill U.S. show jumping chef d’equipe George Morris’ turnout expectations when he meets him in January.

But on the list of things that impressed EAP clinicians on Nov. 17-20, several more important characteristics trumped Pope’s polishing skills. The 16-year-old rider from Columbia, Md., bowled over the judges with his top-level riding, horsemanship and stable management skills.

For most riders, winning 30 days’ advanced training with a top instructor would have been opportunity enough. Not for Kate Haley.

Buffalo, N.Y.—Nov. 19-21

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise when Kate Haley drew a talented but challenging horse at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session. Because throughout the three-day program she impressed the clinicians and the EAP Committee so much so that she finished as the overall winner.

“She had a tough horse, and she really dug in. She really pulled it off today and jumped a double-clear round in the Nations Cup,” said EAP Co-Chairman Melanie Smith Taylor.

The U.S Equestrian Federation has announced 10 of the 12 riders who have been invited to participate in the fifth annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session on Jan. 4-8 in Wellington, Fla., at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Two more riders will be announced from the U.S Hunter Jumper Association Emerging Athlete Program. The clinic is free to audit, but a donation to the USET Foundation is recommended.

At 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.”

While riders who were invited to the USHJA Emerging Athletes National Level Clinic were treated to lessons with several top-of-the-line clinicians, including Mindy Bower and Dr. Midge Leitch, the highlight of the program, Jan. 8-10 in Reno, Nev., was the opportunity to ride with Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde.