The U.S. Equestrian Federation has announced the riders for the 10th annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session, to be held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Fla., Dec. 30 through Jan. 2, 2016. The USEF Training Session is designed to develop the next generation of U.S. Equestrian Team talent.

Although Morris is taking a sabbatical from teaching in 2016, his ideals and influence will continue to be present in the 2016 session. 

“We will miss George this year, however, it has provided an opportunity to give our top young riders access to experts who they might not interact with otherwise,” said DiAnn Langer, USEF show jumping developing rider chef d’equipe. “We have developed an exciting schedule with fantastic clinicians and are thrilled to be able to continue this program, which has been so popular with the participants and auditors over the years.”

In 2016, the training session will feature an abbreviated, intensive format with three days of mounted sessions led by internationally acclaimed U.S. athletes and daily instruction on all facets of horsemastership. On Dec. 31, Christine Traurig, the U.S. dressage young horse coach and an Olympic bronze medalist, will work with the riders on the flat with an emphasis on the suppleness and connection required for jumping. 

The riders will then apply these skills over fences with Olympic gold medalists Beezie Madden and Laura Kraut. On Jan. 1, Madden will work with participants over gymnastics exercises designed to prepare the horses and riders for the following day’s courses. Kraut’s session on Jan. 2 will focus on Nations Cup-style jumping, including not only how to execute in the ring but also the teamwork required for success.

Twelve athletes earned invitations to the 2016 session through one of three avenues: performance in USEF marker competitions, selection at the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session or by selection from the pool of wild card applicants. The athletes are as follows:

Lucy Deslauriers (young rider individual gold at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships and individual gold at the Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Championships)

Vivian Yowan (junior individual gold at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships)

Victoria Colvin (winner of the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals—East)

Ransome Rombauer (winner of the 2015 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals—West and reserve champion at the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session)

Danielle Roskens (champion at the 2015 USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session)

Kelli Cruciotti (wild card applicant)

Ailish Cunniffe (wild card applicant)

Mitch Endicott (wild card applicant)

Daisy Farish (wild card applicant)

Eve Jobs (wild card applicant)

TJ O’Mara (wild card applicant)

Katherine Strauss (wild card applicant)

These up-and-coming athletes will receive intensive mounted and unmounted instruction from acclaimed U.S. equestrians and experts in their respective fields. Participants and horses will arrive on Dec. 30 and settle into the venue, which is generously donated by Equestrian Sport Productions, before receiving equine care and management instruction from Training Session Barn Manager Colleen Reed, whose extensive knowledge has made her a favorite among past participants. 

Throughout the USEF Training Session, Reed will guide and support participants as they care for their horses from morning chores to night check without assistance from grooms or trainers. Along the way, participants will have access to Dr. Tim Ober DVM, who has been the U.S. Show Jumping Team veterinarian at countless Nations Cup and championship competitions. Dr. Ober will give the riders a behind-the-scenes look at how he evaluates jumpers and identifies areas of focus to help them achieve peak performance. 

On Dec. 31, U.S. Dressage Young Horse Coach Christine Traurig will work with the riders on the flat with an emphasis on the suppleness and connection required for jumping. The riders will then apply these skills over fences with Olympic gold medalists Beezie Madden and Laura Kraut. On Jan. 1, Madden will work with participants over gymnastics exercises designed to prepare the horses and riders for the following day’s courses. Kraut’s session on Jan. 2 will focus on Nations Cup-style jumping, including how to execute in the ring and the teamwork required for success. 

The USEFNetwork.com will host live streaming coverage from the USEF 2016 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session, and the public is welcome to audit all mounted sessions in person at no charge. A complete time schedule will be available in mid-December. 

For more information about the 2016 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session, please contact USEF Show Jumping Director of High Performance Programs Casey Easley at ceasley@usef.org.