The U.S. Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation today announced the eventing athletes selected to receive grants to assist in their travel to compete in the World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S (Germany), Sept. 15-19, and the FEI Eventing Nations Cup The Netherlands CCIO4*-L, Oct. 7-10.

USET Foundation Jacqueline B. Mars International Competition & Training Grants

The USET Jacqueline B. Mars International Competition & Training Grant is awarded annually to up to two eventing athletes who have not represented the U.S. as part of an Olympics, Pan American or World Equestrian Games team and have been identified as having the potential to do so in the future. The 2021 grant recipients are:

Sydney Elliott (Bossier City, Louisiana) and QC Diamantaire, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Carol Stephens

Ariel Grald (Southern Pines, North Carolina) and Leamore Master Plan, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Annie Eldridge

Elliott and Grald will compete at the CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S.

USET Foundation Karen E. Stives Endowment Fund Grants

The Karen E. Stives Endowment Grant supports athlete/horse combinations already competing at 4*/5* level with the perceived potential to achieve elite level by providing financial assistance for a competition and preparatory training opportunity. The 2021 recipients are:

Tamie Smith (Murrieta, California) and Mai Baum, a 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell

Tamie Smith (Murrieta, California) and Danito, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Ruth Bley

Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, Pennsylvania) and FE Lifestyle, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Nina and Timothy Gardner

Matt Flynn (Ocala, Florida) and Wizzerd, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by A. Patrick Flynn, Kathleen Flynn, and Merry Go Round Farm

Sydney Elliott (Bossier City, Louisiana.) and QC Diamantaire, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Carol Stephens (partial grant)

Smith and Mai Baum will compete at CHIO Aachen. The remaining combinations will compete at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup The Netherlands CCIO4*-L.

Land Rover/USEF International Competition Grant

Land Rover/USEF Competition Grant recipients are selected by Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander and his Performance Advisory Team of Leslie Law, Derek di Grazia, Ian Stark, Karen O’Connor and Bobby Costello. The recipient is:

Will Coleman (Gordonsville, Virginia) and Off The Record, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate

Coleman will compete at the CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S.