While we still have over ten weeks until the start of the Area 1 season at the University of New Hampshire’s Spring Horse Trial, the Area 1 Young Rider program is in the peak of planning season with a few activities already underway. As of January 31st, we had 59 total members, including 14 new members, and the remaining 45 returning. While at first glance this number may seem low, with the Area 1 season not beginning until later in April, these numbers surpass previous memberships during this time of year.
To kick off the year 2024, Annabelle Sprague was among the 19 EA21 riders selected to attend the USEA Emerging Athlete Program’s National Clinic held in Temecula, California at KingsWay Farm. This was a five-day camp led by EA21 Director of Coaching, David O’Connor. Annabelle represented Area 1 in the East I Clinic in mid-2023. The camp began on January 2nd with a full day of dressage lessons followed by jumping, a second day of dressage, course work, and then wrapping up with cross-country. Read the full recaps here.
On January 12th, applications opened for the Area 1 Young Rider Committee. This committee was formed at the beginning of 2023 and provides members with the ability to come together monthly to discuss the needs and wants of the program. Our current members, co-chairs Ava Applebaum and Myles McLaughlin, secretary, AJ Korka along with Ally Krohg, Tori McCallum, Rory Cashman, Lea Adams-Blackmore, and Annabelle Sprague have been nothing short of fantastic with their knowledge, insight, and ideas on how to make the YR program the best it can be. We opened applications to bring in two additional members and received eight applications in just two days full of riders who want to be more involved within the community and give back to the sport. We hope to introduce our new committee members shortly.
Our Area 1 Young Rider Podcast, hosted by committee member Rory Cashman, aired Episode 4 with Area 1 course designer, Janine McClain. All podcasts can be found on Spotify, YouTube, and on the Area 1 website. Janine is a USEF Eventing “r” rated course designer and has done everything from building courses from scratch for local venues to course design in Canada and the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina. She owns Winter’s Tale Farm in Bethel, Vermont, and has even published, “Course Country Completion”, a booklet discussing all things related to cross-country course design which is available for purchase here.
Like in all winters, a portion of Area 1 Young Riders has traveled south to get a head start on the 2024 eventing season. This past January, six riders competed in three different horse trials. Starting on January 12th at Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks in Reddick, Florida, Myles McLaughlin and Up the Ante competed in the Training Rider division. The following weekend at Stable View Aiken Opener, Madison Blodgett and Dk Fenrir competed in the Novice along with Ally Krohg and Ardeo Rock and Roll in the Modified, coming home in 2nd place, qualifying the pair for the 2024 American Eventing Championships to be held later this year at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The most popular event for the Young Riders from Area 1 in January was the Rocking Horse Winter I Horse Trial in Altoona, Florida. Three Young Riders from Area 1 traveled down the centerline, starting with Lea Adams-Blackmore and Frostbite. The pair competed in the Open Preliminary, winning their division from beginning to end and securing their qualification for the American Eventing Champions as well. Audrey Littlefield and Mr. Pumpkin competed in the Modified to come in 8th place along with Kate Servais, who came in 14th with Life Story in the Open Training division.
We have lots in the works for the 2024 calendar year and would love for you to be a part of it. Remember that while your USEA membership may renew automatically each year, your membership to the Young Rider Program does not. If you’re unsure if you renewed your Young Rider membership, you can check on your USEA dashboard under the “Membership” section. Looking to join for the first time this year and unsure how? Check out this tutorial here.
January Winner’s Circle
Preliminary
Lea Adams-Blackmore & Frostbite – Rocking Horse I Horse Trial
