Contacts & Youth Council

YR Coordinator

Melanie Loschiavo
melanie.loschiavo@gmail.com
802-279-6228 

Organizers

Chelsea Sprague – chelseasprague32@gmail.com
Lauren Mair – lmair71@gmail.com
Jay Olcott – area1yrsocialmedia@gmail.com 

Area 1 Young Rider Youth Council:

Council Purpose

To be the voice of the Area 1 Young Rider membership to lend insight and ideas for programming for the Area 1 Young Rider program. To initiate and coordinate programs as approved by the Young Rider Coordinator for fundraising, social opportunities, and educational programs for the Area 1 Young Rider members – including engaging in the work of implementing programs they envision.

Area 1 Young Rider Youth Council Specification and Roles

Applications closed on March 1, 2025. Applications will re-open in February 2026. 

CHAIR: GRACE melanson

My name is Grace Melanson and I am 16 years old. I have been riding for about 8 years and competed through Novice. I am excited to become more involved in the eventing community and move up the levels. I’m currently boarding at Course Brook Farm and enjoy riding many horses at the farm and helping out by working for my trainer and the farm. I can’t wait for this upcoming year and getting to know everyone!

SECRETARY: Rory Cashman

My name is Rory Cashman and I am a 18 year old eventer from NH! I have been riding for over 12 years now and have competed up to Novice. I recently bought my 6 year old thoroughbred, Northern Attitude “Boston”. Over the next year, I will be headed to college in Kentucky to continue Eventing there with the Transylvania University eventing team.

Myles McLaughlin

Myles McLaughlin is a Young Rider from Concord, Massachusetts, competing at the Novice level with his 7-year-old Off the Track Thoroughbred Felix. Myles plans to take a Gap year before attending Randolph Macon College in Virginia, where he plans to be a working student for a professional rider on the East Coast.

Annabelle Sprague

Hi, I am Annabelle Sprague. I am 17 and I have lived in Vermont my entire life. I have evented in Area 1 since I was 7, and I am excited to be a part of Area 1s first YR committee. 

Ally Krohg

My name is Ally Krohg, I am twenty-one and from Hamilton, Massachusetts. I grew up riding and fell in love with the sport of eventing when I was about nine years old. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to meet incredible horses, dogs, and people along the way. As a young rider, I have had the opportunity to join camps, clinics, and team challenges, and I am honored to have received an award at Huntington Farm Horse Trials in July after competing in the JYOP division! Eventing is so much more than the hours you spend in the tack, so I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to work for some amazing professionals and groom for the Area 1 Young Rider Team in Kalispell, Montana. I am extremely lucky to have been partners with Rocky (Ardeo Rock and Roll) for six years and counting. Whether it be running around the cross-country course or going for a hack, there is no one I would rather do it with!

Lea Adams-Blackmore

My name is Lea Adams-Blackmore, I am 21 years old and although I do not live there currently, I still call Norwich, Vermont my home. Growing up in Area 1, I participated in just about every camp and clinic that was offered and in 2017 I groomed for the Area 1 young rider team in Kalispell, Montana. All through middle and high school I rode under the guidance of Jane Hamlin, who helped me find my current horse Frosty (Frostbite), and connected me with my current trainer Sharon White. I have been working for Sharon for just under four years now and I am currently her head rider and working student. My horse and I compete at the CCI3* level and my hope is that one day he and I will run around the CCI5* in Kentucky. 

Victoria McCallum

I grew up as a pony clubber and started competing at a young age. Currently, I have two OTTBs that I am bringing along. I am eventing at training level on Maurice and started Two Red Cents at beginner novice. I teach beginner riding lessons at our farm, Oakendale Farm. We are based in Harwinton CT and winter in Ocala Fl. I also ride the sales horses for multiple disciplines for our sales program, Break Maiden Sport Horses. I am looking forward to showing my horses in eventing and show jumping this year.

Sydney Gallien

My name is Sydney Gallien, I am an 18-year-old young rider. I have been riding my whole life and eventing since I was 9. I have competed up to the training level and recently got an OTTB who I look forward to competing with this coming summer! I am excited to be a part of the Area 1 Young Rider Committee!

MAX van der schoot

My name is Max van der Schoot and I am 16. I have lived in Vermont my whole life and started riding around the age of 5. I began my equestrian journey at a local barn just five minutes from my house. I went to summer camps there, learned how to vault on a horse, and grew my passion for horses. I later moved on to a different barn in VT where I was able to ride countless lesson horses. I learned so much there and met so many people I am still connected with. I only began eventing when I was thirteen. I really got into the sport when I went to Hitching Post Farm for their camp. That’s when I fell in love with eventing and my current horse, Andy. I am a training-level rider but have goals for the upper levels. I am excited to get out competing once my horse is rehabbed from surgery. I ride just about any horse I can when given the opportunity, and I am very excited to be joining the Area 1 Young Rider Committee. I really value Area 1 and all the amazing opportunities they’ve given me. I can’t wait to give back to such an incredible group!

FIONA ELLIS

Hi, my name is Fiona Ellis. I’m 15 years old and from Westport, Connecticut. I come from a non-horsey family, but I started riding when I was five. I got into eventing when I was 10 and I started leasing my first horse. I am currently competing at the training level with my 9-year-old Dutch warmblood named Redfield Leonardo. I am really looking forward to this season and all the fun things I have planned. I am so excited to be apart of the Area 1 Young Rider committee and give back to this amazing community!

ANNA HENRY

My name is Anna Henry, and I am thrilled to be a part of this committee! I am 16 years old, living in NH, and have been riding for my entire life. Four years ago I got Mikado directly off the track and made him my project. We are currently eventing Novice, with the goal of going up the levels in future years! I am excited to continue eventing, volunteering, and being a part of this committee and community this upcoming season!

ADELINE TULLAR

My name is Adeline Tullar, I am a 16-year-old young rider. I’ve always been passionate about animals and grew up working on farms.