JUNE 28, 2026 – The Area 1 Young Rider Program recently sent the largest number of horse and rider combinations in recent years to represent Area 1 on the national stage at the 2026 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships held in conjunction with the Maryland International + Horse Trials June 25-28 in Adamstown, MD. This youth national championship has seen many variations over the years and with all of those changes, Area 1’s number of participants has fluctuated. The Young Rider Program was thrilled to see this year’s growth of qualified combinations.
The Area 1 Squad was led by Chef d’Equipe, Kailyn St. Germain. “I was so thrilled with the level of representation from Area 1 at this year’s championship. We had a fantastic team of riders and support between one incredible groom and four Area 1 Young Rider members filling the mentorship program spots. After this year’s performance, I am even more excited about the future of Area 1 Young Riders in the next few years, and I look forward to even more representation at next year’s championships.” said St. Germain.
Representing Area 1 on a CCIJY2*-S scramble team was Eleanor Winter and her own Mosstown Rebel, a 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding, Victoria McCallum and her own Maurice, a 2012 Thoroughbred gelding, and Lyman Ordway and Winnett Ordway’s Exces De Folie, a 2014 Selle Francis gelding. The scramble team with Area VI’s Lauren Crabtree earned a podium finish with a final team score of 125.60.
“It was an incredible experience. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people who are all rooting for each other’s success. Competing alongside such talented riders and representing Area 1 was an honor. Finn gave me 100% all weekend, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. I’m incredibly grateful to our sponsors, Area I, and everyone who supported us along the way,” said Eleanor Winter who not only stood on the team podium with a bronze medal but also earned an individual silver medal out of 19 starters in the CCIYJ2*-S division. Together Eleanor and Mosstown Rebel “Finn” finished the competition on a final score of 31.0 with adding only 4.0 jump penalties to their dressage score of 27.0 on the final day in show jumping.
Representing Area 1 on a CCIJ1*-S scramble team was Merritt Sheffield and her own Arden Juliet, a 2018 WBxTB mare and Lexi Young and her own, Nevertheless, a 2013 Thoroughbred gelding. The scramble team with Area II’s Abby Wilberding, came home in 4th place with a final team score of 1126.60 with both Sheffield and Young contributing the lowest team scores out of the three.
No team is complete without the support and hard work of the grooms who spend countless hours in the barns ensuring the horses feel and look their best. A massive thank you to team groom Leyla Sheldon who spent the weekend looking after the five team horses. “Young Riders was such an amazing experience and I feel so lucky that I got to spend the week with such cool people and horses! I learned so many new things that I can’t wait to apply during next year’s champs!” said, Leyla.”
The USEA also held their second installment of the USEA Mentorship Program during the Championships which was fully represented by Area 1. This program focuses on introducing YRP members to career opportunities as eventing and FEI officials through weekends of mentorship held at select competitions across the country. Each mentorship opportunity allows for up to four young rider seats to be filled and this year, Area 1 took all four spots. Reese Weiss, Charlotte Thompson, Caroline Abbe, and Megan Cavanaugh, all spent the weekend at Loch Moy Farm learning from the officials on what it takes to put on not only a successful FEI event, but a Youth National Championship.
The Area 1 Young Rider Program would like to extend our deepest thanks to our generous Championship Team Apparel sponsors, CGUG, KMA Equestrian and our Stable Sponsor, MK Custom Equine Creations.
CCIYJ2*-S
- Victoria McCallum (CT) and her own, Maurice, a Thoroughbred gelding
- Lyman Ordway (ME) and Exces de Folie, a 2014 Selle Francais gelding owned by Winnett Ordway
- Eleanor Winter (ME) and her own, Mosstown Rebel, a 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding
CCIJ1*
- Merritt Sheffield (CT) and her own, Arden Juliet, a 2018 Warmblood x Thoroughbred gelding
- Lexi Young (CT) and her own, Nevertheless, a 2013 Thoroughbred gelding
Team Groom:
- Leyla Sheldon (MA)
USEA Mentorship Program:
- Caroline Abbe (VT)
- Megan Cavanaugh (MA)
- Charlotte Thompson (VT)
- Reese Weiss (MA)
About the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships and USEA Mentorship Program:
The purpose of the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships is to provide a team opportunity on home soil between the different Areas across the country. All 10 Areas are permitted to field teams of 4 horse and rider combinations for the CCIJ1*-S, CCIY2*-S, and CCIU253*-S* levels in addition to 2 combinations to run as individuals per level. More information about the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship can be found HERE. This Championship provides educational and team experience, beyond time in the saddle with opportunities such as team grooms, and the USEA Mentorship Program which offers the next generation an in-side look at the possible careers as competition officials. More information about the USEA Mentorship Program can be found HERE.
