The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association has announced the 24 athletes (16 riders and eight stable managers) selected to attend the Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session with Olympian Peter Wylde and renowned stable management expert Anne Thornbury, Nov. 9-12, at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio.

“The EAP National Training Session marries competition and education to create a dynamic opportunity for young, talented riders to learn and showcase their skills,” said Sally Ike, chair of the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Committee. “As we head into this year’s National Training Session, I’m eager to see this talented group of 24 athletes get the most out of working with the industry’s best teachers and leading professionals, and am even more eager to see what they do after the session.”

More than 180 athletes participated in regional training sessions nationwide between the months of May and August. The following athletes were selected to participate in this year’s EAP National Training Session:

National Training Session Riders:

• Nicole Beales, 15, Okland, Calif.
• Kelsey Campbell, 17, Great Falls, Va.
• Bella Canzano, 20, Grosse Pointe, Mich.
• Maura Cherny, 18, Cazenovia, N.Y.
• Kit Cunningham, 17, Thermal, Calif.
• Gage Curry, 16, Star, Idaho
• Kendra Duggleby, 17, Cleveland, N.Y.
• Cecily Hayes, 16, Brentwood, Calif.
• Isabelle Heckler, 18, Colts Neck, N.J.
• Kelby Kane, 16, Lexington, Ky.
• Cece Manze, 19, Sherman Oaks, Calif.
• Owen McWilliams, 14, Austin, Texas
• Caroline Molther, 19, Parker, Colo.
• Ada Rohan, 16, Montpelier, Vt.
• Sydney Shelby, 14, Santa Cruz, Calif.
• Sydnie Young , 14, Loomis, Calif.

Ranked Rider Alternates:

1. Grace Towle, 18, Mill Valley, Calif.
2. Catherine Moorhead, 16, Austin, Texas
3. Elise Vandamme, 17, Bountiful, Utah

National Training Session Stable Managers:

• Amanda Atkins, 18, Edmond, Okla.
• Gabrielle Baker, 19, Phoenix, N.Y.
• Alexis Di Pasqua, 17, West Chester, Pa.
• Michael Golinowski, 16, Burke, Va.
• Natalie Radosevich, 20, Farmington Hills, Mich.
• Quinn Reed, 17, Batavia, Ohio
• Sabrina Searles, 20, Winter Garden, Fla.
• Elise Vandamme, 17, Bountiful, Utah

Ranked Stable Manager Alternates:

1. Taylor Wohler, 16, Folsom, Calif.
2. Drew Arnold, 17, Carmel, Ind.
3. Jake Parker Wymard, 16, Glen Rock, Pa.
4. Sydney Eller, 18, Ferguson, N.C.
5. Shanna Beyer, 19, Collierville, Tenn.

EAP finalists are closely observed and evaluated during all phases of the four-day National 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.

The EAP National Training Session concludes with a two-round Nations Cup-style competition, where riders are placed on teams of four to compete head-to-head. This team format offers the riders an opportunity to showcase their riding skills as well as their ability to perform under pressure. One rider will be named the overall USHJA EAP National Champion and will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to Lake Erie College, a $3,000 grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training, and a variety of additional products and gifts from USHJA sponsors. Additionally, Lake Erie College will award a $3,000 scholarship to the participant named Outstanding Stable Manager and a $2,000 scholarship to the winner of the peer-nominated sportsmanship award.

Two finalists will each receive a coveted riding spot at the 2018 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session (Fla.), and three stable managers who excel at the EAP National Training Session will also be awarded a spot to attend the prestigious training session as stable managers.

“Lake Erie College is an enthusiastic supporter of the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program since the program mirrors the goals of our School of Equine Studies – to develop educated and compassionate horse people who are thinking riders. As one of the oldest and largest nationally accredited programs of Equine Studies we have a long tradition of promoting quality horsemanship,” said Mary Pardee, assistant professor of equine studies and director of riding for Lake Erie College. “We know that there are moments in your education that can be life changing, and I am confident that this year’s National Training Session will prove to be that for the participants.”

The Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals will once again be held concurrently with EAP National Training Session. New for 2017, EAP and HQC finalists will participate in joint educational sessions including a sport’s psychology session with leading equestrian sport psychologist Daniel Stewart, and a hands-on anatomy discussion with Lake Erie College Adjunct Instructor of Equine Studies Laura Stockhaus. Participants selected for the HQC Nationals will be announced soon.