Spring has sprung and is almost gone! The summer season is right around the corner and we’re super excited for things to keep on rolling out. Last month the Area 1 Young Rider Program grew to a total of 161 members and continues to climb as the weeks go by. 30 of those 161 went down centerline at seven different events across eight different levels.
Kicking things off for the month of May were four riders, all at the training level, who attended Stable View’s Local Charities Horse Trial on May 4th. A fun fact about these four: they all had clear cross-country rounds! Kiera Delahanty and BGS Silver Lining competed in the Open Training alongside Madison Blodgett and DK Fenrir and Natash Quirk and First Class who took home the Open Training win ending on their dressage score of a 26.4. In the Training Rider division was Eleanor Winter and Mosstown Rebel who placed 5th. Further up the east coast at Waredaca was Lea Adams-Blakcmore and Kate Servais. Lea piloted Cindy White’s Commonwealthchrome in the Open Modified coming in 5th. Kate and her Life Story placed 3rd.
The following weekend back down in Area II, Jack Curtis and Luska Candy Clover placed 3rd at Tryon’s International Three-Day Event for their first CCI3-S of the year. Further up north in Pennslyvania at Plantation Field was Annabelle Sprague who finished on their dressage score to win the Open Preliminary with Kylie Lyman’s Da Vinci Code. Luci Bialek and Fenway also competed in the Junior Open Novice.
Following Tryon, was the opening date for the Summer Clinic with Booli Selmayr and Emma Lomangino which will run on June 19th in Amenia, New York. This clinic first launched last year with great success and we were thrilled to announce the clinic was full two weeks before the set closing date.
Area 1’s only recognized horse trial for the month, Hitching Post Farm in South Royalton was of course the most popular event amongst the Area 1 Young Rider Program. 21 Young Riders trotted down the centerline. Starting the day was June Clark and Dealin’ Diamonds in the Open Modified who came in 2nd followed by Taylor Wing and Carollina in the Open Training who came in 3rd adding just 3.2 time to their dressage score. Open Novice was the most popular division. Adeline Tullar and Rufian de Beaufour came in 7th, Amelia Avery and Matilda Avery in 6th, and Genevive Clark and Ardeo Red Rover in 5th. Sophia Miller and Big Platinum along with Rory Weeks and Patriot Games both took home 4th in their Novice divisions. Katherine Allen and Moscow Mule came in 3rd following Moria Danzig and Tell ‘M Nothing in 2nd and the win went to Ava Sprowl and Riot’s Veronica Mars. Sophia Miller and Hallelujah competed in the novice as well.
The most popular level at Hitching Post for the Young Riders was the Beginner Novice. Coming in 11th was Sophia Ford and Sunday Money. Next in the standing was Fiona Ellis with Redfield Leonardo in 10th and Ruth Dunahoo and Doran’s Charmed Zip in 9th. Aiden Smith and Over the Moon finished 7th following Ellie Moran and Big Sam to take 6th. Gabriella Johnson and Velvet Rose were 3rd while Ellie Moran and her second ride of the day, Maximus topped the division on a 19.7, not only taking home the win but holding the lowest final score of the month. Three Young Riders took to the newly minted Starter level: Lauren Michaels and Albert Bay, Faith Hainsworth, and Love Potion #9, and Elizabeth McCallum and Riverandfairmount who came in 6th.
Wrapping up the month of May was the Virginia Horse Center Eventing and Flora Lea Spring Horse Trials. At Virginia Horse Center, Kiera Delahanty and BGS Silver Lining finished 7th at the Training Level while Eleanor Winter and Mosstown Rebel came in 2nd. Also coming in second was Mary Beauersfeld and Donna Del Lago in the Open Novice. Lea Adams-Blackmore piloted Commonwealthchrome in the Open Preliminary while Kate Servais and Life Story came in 5th in the CCI2*-S.
Toward the end of May, we announced a very special opportunity for the non-competing/non-grooming members to attend the 2024 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships. The USEA Mentorship Program is a fantastic way for Young Riders, 16 years old and older, to not only learn about the behind-the-scenes of running an upper-level event but a look into future career opportunities as well. While applications have since closed for 2024, more information can be found here for future reference.
Stay tuned for the end of June we’ll have a lot more updates including our first team challenge at GMHA, Young Rider Championship team selection, and more!
