It’s the thick of the summer season and June was jam-packed! As of the end of June, the Young Rider Program has 171 members, 98 of which rode down the centerline across nine different events between Area 1 and Area 2 venues.
At the start of June, we held our first team challenge of the year at GMHA June Horse Trials in South Woodstock, Vermont. This is the second year of running this series of team events. At GMHA we had a total of 13 teams of mixed level from Beginner Novice to Preliminary. The results of our Spring Team Challenge can be found here. At the Preliminary level were six Young Riders. Eliza Quigley and Kwibus took home the win. Bridget O’Rourke and Something To Talk About came in 6th followed by Maidson Haney and Chesterland’s Sweet Charlotte in 9th, Audrey Littlefield and Mr. Pumpkin in 10th, Emma Armstrong and Newman in 13th, and June Clark and Dealin’ Diamonds in 15th. Four riders competed at the Modified level, Abigail Niles and Ginger II, Ava Applebaum and FE City Boy (11th), Anna Meretei and Diego Future Trend (9th), and Ally Krohg and Ardeo Rock and Roll who were their division winners. The novice level, which was the most popular amongst the Young Rider demographic had 20 riders across the different divisions. Ellie Moran and Maxximus, Quinn Ellis and Gold Street, Katherine Allen and Moscow Mule, Rory Weeks and Patriot Games, Lucy Hill and Journey To Ernie (14th), Ellie Blass and Estrella Bosque (13th), Elizaveta Goldfisher and FH Flug (13th), Genevieve Clark and Ardeo Red Rover (12th), Sydney Gallien and Willie Wiggins (11th), AJ Korka and Scare Facotry (9th), Ainsley Hewitt and Fernhill Stateside (8th), Kadence McDougall (8th), Kayleigh Hollis and DSL Sinatra (7th), Fiona Ellis and Redfield Leonardo (6th), Adeline Tullar and Ruffian Du Balfour (5th), Gabriella Johnson and Velvet Rose (4th), Moira Danzig and Tell ‘M Nothing (3rd), Siri Carr and Foxtrot Treacle (2nd), and Junior Novice division winner, Ava Sprowl and Riot’s Veronica Mars who came in 1st. In the Beginner Novice divisions, 17 riders competed. Rory Cashman and Sandy Prince, Aiden Smith and Over the Moon (15th), Ellie Moran and Big Sam (14th), Mia Gillbery and Daddy’s Diamond (13th), Carissa Littlefield and Rule Breaking (12th), Brook Brown and Cady O’Daly (11th), Kira, Kayla Sheldon and EACHANN TL (10th), Kiki Yolen and Alt Decorum (10th), Katrina Popielski and Satchmo’s Crossing (9th), Ellie Branco and Acacia GS (8th), Callie Weyers and PAPA CHOO CHOO (7th), Elizabeth Armstrong and Leo’s Chubby Red Doc (6th), Jasper Breton and Red Bird (4th), Emerson Hover and Ace of Spades (4th), Heidi Dodge and Rocket Man (3rd), Katharaine Garr and Boston Jack (3rd), and Kaelyn Cooper and Elmo (2nd).
In Area 2, the same weekend as GMHA, Marissa Cennami and Take A Left competed at Essex Horse Trials down in Area 2 to take home 3rd in the Novice Rider division.
While our team challenge was in full swing at GMHA, seven Young Riders traveled West to Geneseo Valley Riding & Driving Club H.T. In the Training/Novice division, Taylor Wing and Carollina took home 4th while Aliyah Luccitti and Run the World, Clara Bond and Beaverwoods Dandelion (10th), and Faither Hainsworth and Ballymarchaun Fella (4th) competed in the Open Novice. Molly Krotz and Surprise Visit took home 4th and Paytyn Geer and Sproles took home 8th in the Open Beginner Novice. Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club is set to host the 2024 Area 1 Championships and entries are currently open! See the full omnibus here.
The following weekend two Area 1 Young Riders competed in Middleburg Horse Trials in The Plains, VA down in Area 2. Kate Servais and Life Story come in 6th in the Open Preliminary. Lea Adamsn-Blackmore and Sharon White’s Nike won the Open Novice division and piloted Cindy White’s Commonwealthchrome to 2nd place in the Open Modified. Wiley Grosvenor’s Klassy Colour came in 6th with Lea along with Sharon White’s Darter in 10th in the Open Beginner Novice. Back home in Area 1, Apple Knoll held their first horse trial of the year. With 25 horse and rider combinations, the one-day event was jam-packed! In the Open Novice were Amelia Avery and Matilda Avery, Jenna Bunce and Remember When DDD, Kadence McDougall and Ace of Spades (6th), Brook Brown and Cady O’Daly Kira (4th), Mikaela Ackerman and Muscle Man (3rd), Trillian Hyde and Tully Cross Deidre (2nd) and Siri Carr and Foxtrot Treacle who took home the win. Sophia Lichti and Whomping Willow competed in the Open Training. In the Starter divisions were Kate St. Mary (7th), Lauren Michaels and Albert Bay (6th), Molly Grant and Pleased as Punch (5th), Maisy Day (5th), and Chloe Iosua and Mr.BigShot placed 1st. Beginner Novice saw Sophia Ford and Sunday Money, Hannah Sterritt and Rachelgotstephen, Isabella Day and Racing Raven (12th), Aiden Smith and Over the Moon (10th), Guinevere Monsees and Fritz (9th), Zoe Correia and Rebel At Heart (7th), Layla Sheldon and EACHANN TL (6th), Ellie Branco and Acaia (5th), Elizabeth Armstrong and Leo’s Chubby Red Doc (3rd), Leila Coady and Devon Fantasie (2nd), Faith Langley and Folk Lure (1st), and Kiara Ham and Steven’s Getting Even (1st).
The same weekend as Middleburg, was The Bromont CCI Three Day Event. Annabelle Spague and Da Vinci Code placed 5th in the CCI2-L. Annabelle was also a recipient of the Bromont Rising Grant which was announced earlier this year.
The following weekend eight Young Riders attended the Horse Park of New Jersey Horse Trials. Competing in their first Advanced together, Jack Curtis and Luska Candy Clover took home 2nd. In the Intermediate Elizabeth Gill and Opportunity Knoxx took home 12th and Madison Haney and Chesterland’s Sweet Charlotte took home 14th. At the Training level were Elizabeth Meyers and Starr Kaz (11th), Mary Bauersfeld and Donna Del Lago (5th), and Marissa Cennami and Take A Left (6th). Luci Bialek and Fenway competed at the Novice level along with Abigail Gauthier and Sir Winsome (14th).
During the week of the 16th, we launched a new episode of the Area 1 Young Rider Podcast Hosted by Rory Cashman. This month Rory sat down with Area 1 native and 5* groom, Sophie Tullar. The full episode can be found here where Rory and Sophie chat about grooming kit must-haves, tips on starting a career as a groom, and much more! A few days later we held our Summer Clinic with Booli Selmayr and Emma Lomangino at Foxrace Farm in Amenia, New York. Although a hot day, everyone had fantastic rides and we’re looking forward to the next one! 
Heading towards the end of the month, 22 riders took to Valinor Farm Horse Trials. In the Opening Training, Taylor Wing and Carollina came in 3rd. In the Open Modified Bridget O’Roule and Something To Talk About came in 5th. At the Novice level were Samantha Marcoux and Seeing Is Believing (4th), Elizaveta Goldfisher and FH Flug, Genevieve Clark and Adeo Red Rover (10th), Brook Brown and Cady O’Daly Kira (6th), Kiki Yolen and Alt Decorum (5th), Faith Hainsworth and Ballymarchaun Fella (4th), Fiona Ellis and Redfield Leonardo (2nd) and AJ Korka and Scare Factory (1st.). In the Beginner Novice was Kiara Ham and Steven’s Getting Even (8th), Molly Krotz and Cherry Frost, Callie Weyers and PAPA CHOO CHOO, Aiden Smith and Over the Moon (8th), Kaelyn Cooper and Elmo (7th), Katrina Popielski and Satchmo’s Crossing (6th), Heidi Dodge and Rocket Man (5th), Leyla Sheldon and EACHANN TL (4th), Olivia Avila and Feighbel (3rd), Leila Coady and Devon Fantasie (2nd), and Payton Neumyer and Parker (1st).
Before the last event of the month in Area 1, the USEA hosted the first East Coast clinic for the USEA Emerging Athlete Program U21. The clinic took place at Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Leesburg, Virginia. On June 25-26 and taught by Shannon Lilley. Four Area 1 Young Riders were selected back in March to attend; Annabelle Sprague, Eliza Quigley, Emma Armstrong, and Madison Haney. Check out USEA’s recaps: The Building Blocks of Training on Day 1 of the USEA EA21 East I Clinic and This or That: Adjustability Over Fences on Day 2 of the USEA EA21 East I Clinic.
At the end of the month, many riders headed to North Chatham, New York for Larkin Hill Horse Trials. At Larkin Hill, the Adult Rider Program hosted their annual The Young & The Rest Of Us Team Challenge which provided an opportunity for both Young Riders and Adult Riders to join together and compete for the win. Starting with the Starter level were Victoria McCallum and Luther, Spencer Stickles and Skippingandajumpin (9th), Sarah Dunahoo and Theoretical (8th), and Harper Howe and Gizmo (6th). In the Beginner Novice were Elizabeth McCallum and Riverandfairmount (14th), Miriam Evans and Zuko (12th), Coraline Roberts and Tony D (10th), Quinn Ellis and KC’s Breaking Boundary (9th), Alysha Costa and Locomotive (9th), Molly Jackson and All Smiles (7th), Parker Holmes and Must Be A Weasley (7th), Mia Gillberg and Daddy’s Diamond (6th), Ruth Dunahoo and Doran’s Charmed Zip (5th), Paytyn Geer and Sproles (4th), Aiden Smith and Over the Moon (2nd), and Emerson Hover and Ace of Spades (1st). Competing at the Novice level were Luci Bialek and Fenway, Megan Watkins and Blue Ledges, Ellie Blass and Gold Street, Faith Hainsworth and Ballymarchaun Fella (13th), Aliyah Luccitti and Run the World (9th), Lucy Hill and Journey to Ernie (9th), Ainsley Hewitt and Fernhill Stateside (5th), Samantha Marcoux and Seeing Is Believing (2nd), and Ava Applebaum and DSP Tansania (2nd). At the Training level were Abigail Gauthier and Sir Winsome (8th) and Elizabeth Meyers and Starr Kaz.
We’re in the thick of it now with July being just as busy as June and we’re looking forward to sharing all the adventures!
June Winner’s Circle
Preliminary
Eliza Quigley & Kwibus – GMHA June H.T.
MODIFIED
Ally Krohg & Ardeo Rock and Roll – GMHA June H.T.
NOVICE
Ava Sprowl & Riot’s Veronica Mars – GMHA June H.T.
Lea Adams-Blackmore & Nike – Middleburg H.T.
Siri Carr & Foxtrot Treacle – Apple Knoll Farm H.T.
AJ Korka & Scare Factory – Valinor Farm H.T.
BEGINNER NOVICE
Kiara Ham & Steven’s Getting Even – Apple Knoll Farm H.T.
Faith Langley & Folk Lure – Apple Knoll Farm H.T.
Payton Neumyer & Parker – Valinor Farm H.T.
Emerson Hover & Ace of Spades – Larkin Hill H.T.
STARTER
Chloe Iosua & Mr. Bigshot – Apple Knoll Farm H.T.
