The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association on Wednesday announces the 16 athletes and four stable managers selected to participate in the 13th annual MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session. This year’s session will be held Nov. 9-12 at the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, led by Olympic show jumper Peter Wylde and stable management expert Colleen Reed.

This year 186 athletes participated in 10 regional training sessions held nationwide, participating in 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 at the national training session will vie for the title of champion, and with it 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 have been selected to participate in this year’s national training session:

Athletes

• Tyler Anderson of Novi, Michigan
• Izzy Cook of Benton, Arkansas
• Sianna Gable of Ontario, Oregon 
• Karston Gundry of Newburgh, Indiana
• Rowan Love of Sweet Briar, Virginia
• Taryn McEntire of Oceanside, California
• Lucy Metzler of Boulder, Colorado
• Sarah Miller of Sweet Briar, Virginia
• Elle Mullendore of Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Lillian Muzzy of Coto De Caza, California 
• Jocelyn Nelson of Ocala, Florida
• Lauren Satola of Fulton, Maryland
• Alyssa Stevens of Wampum, Pennsylvania 
• Emily Grace Swinson of Pinehurst, North Carolina 
• Casey Van Nostrand of Schenectady, New York
• Cooper Zaruby of Longmont, Colorado

Stable Managers

• Hailey Bergstrom of Camas, Washington
• Kelly Conway of Marietta, Georgia
• Megan Gilmour of Cato, New York
• Finley Scheffel of Georgetown, Kentucky 

EAP athletes will be closely observed and evaluated during all phases of the four-day training session, including flat work, gymnastics, related distances and course work, 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. 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 also be awarded to one 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 an 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 MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, visit ushja.org/EAP.