Lexington, Ky. – The 2013 Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, presented by Dover Saddlery, will be celebrating its fifth anniversary November 14-17 at the University of Findlay’s James L. Child, Jr. Equestrian Complex. The 32-acre equestrian complex is located four miles south of the main University of Findlay campus, and is an ideal setting for the Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session. The facility boasts two indoor arenas, a large classroom conveniently located inside the stall barns, a heated viewing lounge overlooking the large arena and numerous amenities for both horse and rider.

Sixteen young equestrians rose to the top from the initial field of 184 who participated in the ten Regional Clinics held across the country this summer. Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde will serve as the lead clinician again, joined by Stable Manager Anne Thornbury and Emerging Athletes Task Force members to determine the overall USHJA EAP National Champion. The Champion will be awarded a $3,000 grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training, as well as a $1,500 Gift certificate to Dover Saddlery, a Charles Owen helmet and a place in the 2014 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session in Wellington, FL.

Riders invited to participate in the USHJA EAP National Training Session are provided an opportunity to train with several of the country’s top equine experts including an educational session presented by USHJA Contributing Sponsor, Nutrena, during this intensive three-and-a-half day training session. Throughout, each finalist has the responsibility to ride and care for a horse provided by the host facility and assigned to them by the EAP representatives. Beginning on a level playing field, riders are expected to utilize all the skills they have honed throughout the entire EAP process to bond quickly with their equine partner. Riding sessions address flatwork and jumping, while extensive stable-management sessions are hands-on and a written test gauges the knowledge each finalist has gained throughout the year. These combined efforts are monitored and weigh into the selection of the National Champion.

The 2013 EAP National Finalists are:

Erin Bland, Carlsbad, CA

Katharine Carroll, Beverly Hills, CA

Bowers Cone, Collierville, TN

Gabby Conte, Deale, MD

Marissa Degner, Tulsa, OK

Sunny Drescher, Hinesburg, VT

Jackie Flynn, Charlotte, VT

Jesse Fortier, Candia, NH

Izzy Gabriel, Silverton, OR

Sean Leckie, Reno, NV

Connor Siegel, Evanston, IL

Emily Sowski, Anaheim Hills, CA

Megan Thomas, Montclair, NJ

Lizzy Traband, Centre Hall, PA

Stephanie Whitworth, San Jose, CA

Michaela Wood, Pasadena, CA

The following participants have been selected to serve as Reserves/Team Coordinators:

Cori Cromwell, Sedalia, CO

Ruth Foley, Tuscan, AZ

Tatum Tatreau, Cerritos, CA

Cassie Thomas, Bainbridge Island, WA

Natalie Wendt of Aptos, CA and Kiersti Wylie of Fallbrook, CA have been chosen to act as Stable Managers for the National Training Session. 

Auditors are welcome to attend EAP Nationals. In lieu of an auditing fee, attendees are asked to make a donation to the Emerging Athletes Program through the USHJA Foundation website (please select to restrict your donation to the Emerging Athletes Program) or onsite at the EAP Nationals.

USHJA would like to thank the University of Findlay for generously donating the use of their facility for this exciting event.

The EAP National Training Session, presented by Dover Saddlery, is supported in part by a generous grant from the United States Equestrian Federation.

To learn more about the Emerging Athletes Program please visit the USHJA website or contact Carrie Vaught at (859) 225-6703.