LYMAN ORDWAY

Hi! My name is Lyman Ordway, I am 18 years old and I am from Freeport, Maine. I compete with my horse Folie at the 2* level. I am currently in a gap year and have been based in Southern Pines North Carolina as a working student for Ariel Grald. I am excited to attend the University of Kentucky next year to continue my education and pursue eventing. I have grown up eventing in Area 1 and have so much love for the young rider program and the opportunities it gave to me. I am looking forward to being a part of this committee and getting to be involved in the experience of other young riders!

LEXI YOUNG

Hi, my name is Lexi Young, I’m 16 years old and I’m from Sandy Hook, Connecticut. My first time on a horse, I was just two weeks old, and I’ve been riding ever since. Currently, I am competing at the Training level with my thoroughbred gelding, Nevertheless. I am also a working student for 5* rider Booli Selmayr in Millbrook, New York. I have been involved with the Area 1 YR program for about a year now, and it has done so much for me, from expanding my horsemanship knowledge to meeting so many new friends. I am so excited to be on the Area 1 Young Rider Youth Council and I’m looking forward to what we accomplish this year!

TRILLIAN HYDE

Hi, my name is Trillian Hyde, I am a 16-year-old eventer from Northern Vermont. I have been riding for about 9 years. As a kid, I learned to ride through a funny combination of galloping around on ponies and dressage lessons. I am a C2 Pony Club member and am very involved with North Country Pony Club. I am a full-time working student in the summers and love everything to do with horses and eventing. Last season I competed through novice, and just barely moved up to training with my last partner, DeeDee, an amazing Connemara/TB with a heart of gold. This season I just started working with my new partner, Bea, a 12-year-old jumper who is learning the ropes of eventing! I love mares and everything they come with. This season I can’t wait to see how much she can do. I love and value the partnerships and connections that I build with my horses, trainers, and all who support me. I am excited to be part of the USEA YR council:)

CHARLOTTE THOMPSON

Hi! My name is Charlotte Thompson. I’m 16 years old and from Ira, Vermont. I have been riding since I was 5 and I started eventing at 8. I am currently training under Alison Eastman Lawler. For the last 2 years I have been her full time working student during her winters in Aiken. I have been taking my thoroughbred gelding, Mardi Gras up the lowers levels. I love volunteering, helping run our ATF 2+3 Phases, and grooming at  events. I am so excited to be apart of this committee and be able to give back to Area 1! 

ELLIE BRANCO

My name is Ellie Branco. I’m 15 years old, from Westford, Massachusetts. I’ve been around the eventing community my entire life and have been riding/competing for just about 9 years now. Growing up, watching my mom and people who would soon be peers, I’ve learned and experienced things I can only define as pure gold. Throughout my years as a Young Rider, I’ve been fortunate enough to have gone to camps, clinics, symposiums and have even gotten to be apart of the first ever EA21 Prep Camp! Area 1 has provided so much opportunity and education for me and those around me. I’m excited to start my journey as a Youth Council member to be able to continue to enrich and improve the years I’ve found to be so golden.

MADDY NEWTON

My name is Maddy Newton, and I am a 21 year old eventer from Plainfield, NH. For the past three years, I have worked as a working student for upper level eventers across the East Coast, and I am currently based with 3-star eventer Bevin Dugan. Two years ago, I had the opportunity to take over the ride on Ashley MacVaugh’s former 3-star horse, Latino H. Together we have progressed from my first Beginner Novice through Training level, and we are currently working toward my Bronze Medal. I am very much looking forward to being involved in the Young Rider Youth Council.

AINSLEY STINSON

My name is Ainsley Stinson, I am 16 and have lived in Central NH my whole life. I began riding at just 3 years old, and immediately was hooked. I’ve competed across the country for the last 5 years; there’s nothing I’d rather do more. My current horse is a ISH mare, Anbally Apple. My goal is to produce her to her full potential, likely the upper levels. During the summers, I manage my family’s farm in Danbury, NH, and spend the winters in Aiken, SC. I am fortunate to ride a variety of horses throughout the year with Madison Tilton and Suzi Gornall. I am forever grateful to them and my family for supporting my goals. Area 1 has always been special to me; it’s a wonderful place with amazing people. I am beyond excited to be part of the council and contribute to such a high quality program.

ELLA CUTTS

My name is Ella Cutts, I am 17 years old, and I am from southern New Hampshire. I am thrilled to be part of the young rider council! I have grown up riding horses my whole life and come from a horse family. I started eventing at 11 with my former pony Sugar. I now am competing novice with my horse Lucas who I have had for 3 years. I have been apart of the young rider program for 2 years now and I am happy to be contributing to a program that wants to help young riders be successful.

AVA HAMLETT

Hi, my name is Ava Hamlett. I’m 17 years old and have been around horses my entire life—I’ve been riding since before I could walk.I am currently a working student at Outlook Farm, where I’ve been given an incredible opportunity to ride and compete an amazing horse named Ballynoe Bruce this season. He’s teaching me so much and helping me grow as a rider every day.My passion for horses has always been a huge part of who I am. At 15, I became a full-time working student in Aiken, where I truly fell in love with the lifestyle. I purchased my first ottb, Reaper.  Reaper was a outriding horse most of his life until I got him and started our new journey. Since then, I’ve continued working at a couple different barns, gaining valuable experience along the way. My goal is to become a professional horse trainer and instructor, and I’m committed to working hard and learning as much as I can to get there.

NEIVE OPDYKE

Hi my name is Neive Opdyke, I’m 16 years old and I’m from Paxton MA. This winter I got my first ever horse Arlo, and I’m so excited to take him through his first ever eventing season! I have been apart of young riders for almost 2 years now and it has been nothing short of amazing! During that short time the YR program has supplied me with so many resources, opportunities and experiences I never thought possible. I’m so excited to be apart of the youth council and give back to the community that has given so much to me!

ELLIE MORAN

My name is Ellie Moran, I am 16 years old, from Williston, Vermont. I have been riding my whole life but joined Pony Club and started eventing in 2016. It was through Pony Club, within which I now hold B Eventing and C3 Dressage certifications, that I was connected with my trainer, John Bourgoin, under whose guidance and program I have grown not only in the saddle but as an individual over the last number of years. Growing up within the Pony Club and Area I community has cemented in me the value of the Young Rider program in producing the next generation of event riders through the Emerging Athletes pipeline and I want to help grow this program to include as many Young Riders as possible. I have been fortunate to learn from many different mounts over the years from welsh ponies to OTTBs and my most recent partner: Chief, a coming 6 ISH who I look forward to getting to know over this upcoming season! I am excited to be apart of this council and work towards expanding the Young Rider program!