Vero Beach, FL – September 15, 2011 – Natalie Kuhny, age 16, from Calabasas, California and Patience O’Neal, age 11, from Sisters, Oregon were the highest scoring riders in the PRO Junior Young Rider Training Level Scholarship Award Program on the west coast. Each rider has been awarded a full week of training as part of the scholarship program: “I’m really excited to be a part of this program,” said Amy Tryon “I had several mentors that made a huge difference in my life growing up and I would like to provide that same experience for young riders”. Natalie will be training with Amy Tryon and Patience will be training with Hawley Bennett-Awad: “I’m happy, surprised, and excited that I was awarded the scholarship and get to spend a week with Hawley Bennett-Awad,” said Patience, “I was very nervous and tried very hard to show the judges my horsemanship and riding abilities.”

Junior riders entered designated events at training level on each coast and were judged on their riding and horsemanship by PRO professional members. Their scores were tabulated and averaged with the top two point earning riders on each coast receiving scholarship awards. Each junior receives a week of training and board for both their horse and themselves at the facilities of Amy Tryon who is based at Upson Downs in Duvall, Washington, and Hawley Bennett-Awad who is at Kingsway Farm in Temecula, California. “This is an amazing opportunity,” said Natalie, “I hope to pursue a career in the equine field, so this is a fantastic way for me to get a glimpse of what it’s like to work at a top level training barn.  I am so grateful to Amy Tryon and the other trainers for giving their time to make this happen.”

Sarah Nelson, age 15, from Berryville, Virginia and Jacqueline Larouche, age 17, from Carbondale, Colorado were the highest scoring riders for the East Coast designated competitions. They have also been awarded full training and board for one week with Marcia Kulak and Jan Byyny, respectively. “[This] is an incredible blessing to me,” said Sarah Nelson, “and a wonderful opportunity for me to reach my eventing goals.  I am honored to have the chance to learn from Marcia Kulak and I can’t wait to get started!” Jacqueline is very clear about her ambitions and goals for the future: “My lifelong goal is to ride on the Olympic team and, to get there, the experience of working in a top-level training program and receiving instruction from top riders is crucial. PRO has provided me with the opportunity to do just that.”

Marcia Kulak, PRO Rider’s Advisory Board Member, spearheaded the effort to put together the PRO Junior Scholarship Program, which is structured to reward good horsemanship, a safe and effective position, good riding, maturity in the competitive arena and a strong work ethic. Kulak observed: “It’s very important to offer kids the opportunity to be submersed in the inner workings of a top-level training program that they can challenge themselves as riders. This will help any young rider prepare not only for eventing, but also for the inevitable challenges that life presents.” PRO’s vision is for this program to serve as a vehicle for riders to help mentor the next generation. PRO professional members judge the riders at each designated competition offer feedback to the young riders involved.

Each of the young riders will be asked to keep a journal of their training week and share their experience through the PRO Blog. For more information, visit www.ProfessionalRiders.org.