The U.S. Equestrian Federation recently announced a newly reinvented U.S. Eventing Pathway Program for 2019, spearheaded by U.S. Eventing Performance Director Erik Duvander. The program looks to create a “culture of competitiveness” and provide a more clearly defined pathway for eventing athletes in the United States.

One change to the program was the reorganization into the Elite, Development Pre-Elite, Development Potential and Emerging Athlete training lists.

The following U.S. athletes have been approved by an ad hoc group of the Eventing Sport Committee on the recommendation of Duvander, with input from his Performance Advisory Team, which includes Karen O’Connor, Derek di Grazia, Ian Stark, Leslie Law and Robert Costello.

The Elite Program supports combinations demonstrating the ability to contribute to medal-winning potential at the world championship level and looking to compete at the next Olympic Games or world championship.

2019 Elite Training List:

– Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pennsylvania) and Z, Thomas Tierney, Simon Roosevelt, Suzanne Lacy, Caroline Moran, and Ann Jones’ 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding

– Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Virginia) and Donner, The Donner Syndicate, LLC’s 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

The Development Pre-Elite Program aims to identify and support combinations that have the perceived potential to meet Elite status within the next two to four years, with the target of competing on a championship team in the next four to six years.

2019 Development Pre-Elite Training List:

– Liz Halliday Sharp (Ocala, Florida) and Deniro Z, The Deniro Syndicate and Ocala Horse Properties’ 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding

– Caroline Martin (Miami Beach, Florida) and Islandwood Captain Jack, her and Sherrie Martin’s 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding

– Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pennsylvania) and Long Island T, Long Island T Syndicate’s 12-year-old Oldenburg-Thoroughbred gelding

– Doug Payne (Aiken, South Carolina) and Getaway, Lisa Wall’s 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding

– Tamie Smith (Murrieta, California) and Fleeceworks Royal, Judith McSwain’s 9-year-old Holsteiner mare

– Lynn Symansky and RF Cool Play, The Donner Syndicate LLC’s 10-year-old German Sport Horse gelding

– Lynn Symansky and Under Suspection, Mary Ann Ghadban’s 14-year-old Holsteiner mare

– Frankie Thieriot Stutes (Occidental, California) and Chatwin, The Chatwin Group’s 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding

The Development Potential Program looks to focus athletes on education aimed at equipping them with the necessary tools and skills to reach Elite status in the next four to eight years, with the goal of pre-elite targets by the age of 30.

2019 Developing Potential Training List:

– Maya Black (Clinton, Washington)
– Jenny Caras (Cartersville, Georgia)
– Katherine Coleman (New Orleans, Louisiana)
– Hallie Coon (Ocala, Florida)
– Sydney Elliott (Bossier City, Louisiana)
– Ariel Grald (Vass, North Carolina)
– Alex O’Neal (Reddick, Florida)

The Emerging Athlete Eventing 18 and Eventing 25 Program participants were announced in early December. Caras and Coon have been removed from the Eventing 25 Program and moved to the 2019 Developing Potential Training List.