The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association on Friday announced the 16 athletes and five stable managers selected to participate in the 12th annual Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session. This year’s session will be held Nov. 11-14 at the George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, led by Olympic show jumper Peter Wylde and stable management expert Colleen Reed.

More than 200 athletes participated in 10 regional training sessions held nationwide this year, receiving education over the course of five days of mounted and unmounted instruction. Based on the recommendations of the riding and stable management clinicians, 16 athletes and a select number of stable managers are chosen to attend the national training session each year. Riders vie for the title of champion and a $3,000 grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training based on their performance in the riding and stable management sessions throughout the week.

The following athletes and stable managers were selected to participate in this year’s national training session:

Athletes

• Skyler Allen, San Ramon, California
• Grace Crawford, Dripping Springs, Texas
• Clayton Farrell, Venice, Florida
• Mia Jones, Cypress, California
• Ellie Kurtz, Sammamish, Washington
• Annalise Manoog, Centerville, Massachusetts
• Nicole McMillion, Huntington Beach, California
• Aedan Mooney, Golden, Colorado
• Clare O’Brien, Dallastown, Pennsylvania
• Grace O’Connell, Long Grove, Illinois
• Madeline Pilz, Austin, Texas
• Elizabeth Schulz, Marietta, Georgia
• Emily Grace Swinson, Pinehurst, North Carolina
• Lauren Thomas, Kingsport, Tennessee
• Cameron Trimino, Ladera Ranch, California
• Jessica White, McKinney, Texas

Stable Managers

• Rebecca Hopkins, Northville, Michigan
• Payton Hotter-Jensen, Arvada, Colorado
• Kathryn Perkins, Azusa, California
• Leslie Reynolds, Fulton, Missouri
• Hunter Schon, Hanover, New Hampshire

EAP athletes are closely observed and evaluated during all phases of the four-day national training session—which include flat work, gymnastics, related distances and course work, and an intensive stable-management curriculum—and through a written test that gauges the horsemanship knowledge each finalist has gained throughout the year. In addition to the competition, finalists will participate in joint educational seminars with USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, which is held concurrently.

One rider will be named the overall USHJA EAP National Champion and will receive a $3,000 grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training, as well as a variety of additional products and gifts from USHJA sponsors. Additionally, two EAP finalists will receive a coveted riding spot at a USHJA Gold Star Clinic of their choice. Part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, these clinics offer horsemanship, stable management, mounted instruction and additional education from top clinicians and athletes.

The Charles “Chuck” Keller Grant for Equestrian Excellence will be awarded to one EAP National Training Session participant for the purpose of furthering their equestrian training in pursuit of equestrian excellence. The USHJA EAP Committee will select the recipient of this $500 grant, made possible by anonymous donation, based on the care and handling of horses, treatment of horses while mounted and level of personal interaction with clinicians, peers and spectators.

For more information on the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, visit ushja.org/EAP