The 11th annual Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session will include a good share of Jerseyans who qualified for the Nov. 7-10 session at The University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio.
Those who made their mark in 10 regional training sessions contested by 194 hopefuls will benefit from instruction delivered by Olympic show jumping gold medalist Peter Wylde, who is returning this year. Stable management expert Anne Thornbury also will be sharing her knowledge.
The Garden State contingent of riders includes Alyssa Simin, 21, of Ramsey; Evelyn Smith, 18, Morristown and Alicia Weismann, 19, Southampton. Stable Managers are Mara Picciochi, 20, Morristown and Christina Samouhos, 22, Pittstown.
Ranked Alternate Stable Managers are Rachel Vandemark, 22, South Brunswick, and Alexandria Willard, 20, Pittstown.
Since the program’s inception in 2009, the USHJA has reviewed more than 2,700 applications, provided more than 1,600 participants in regional training session opportunities, and each year 16 athletes vie for the title of EAP Champion while training with an Olympian at the National Training Session.
While only a small number advance to the National Training Session, each participant received invaluable education over the course of five days of mounted and unmounted instruction offered at Regional Training Sessions.
EAP finalists are closely observed and evaluated during all phases of the four-day National Training Session. They are involved with flatwork, gymnastics, related distances and course work, and an intensive stable-management curriculum.
A written test that gauges the horsemanship knowledge each finalist has gained throughout the year is part of the process. One rider will be named the overall USHJA EAP National Champion and receive a $3,000 grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training, as well as a variety of additional products and gifts from USHJA sponsors.
Additionally, two EAP finalists will receive a riding spot at a 1.10/1.15m USHJA Gold Star Clinic of their choice, and a select number of participants in the EAP National Training Session will be chosen to serve as stable managers during the Gold Star Clinics. Three USHJA Gold Star Clinics will be held this year. Part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, the clinics offer horsemanship, stable management, mounted instruction and additional education from top clinicians and athletes. Sport leadership track these riders’ accomplishments as they advance through the sport and look for opportunities to support their efforts with education along the way.
The Charles “Chuck” Keller Grant for Equestrian Excellence will also be awarded to one EAP National Training Session participant for the purpose of furthering their equestrian training in pursuit of equestrian excellence. The USHJA EAP Committee will select the recipient of this $500 grant, made possible by anonymous donation, based on the care and handling of horses, treatment of horses while mounted and level of personal interaction with clinicians, peers and spectators.
The USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals will be held concurrently with the EAP National Training Session. Qualified finalists will be tested in three phases, including a written exam, horsemanship/identification exam and a hands-on practicum exam. HQC Finalists have yet to be announced.
In addition to the competition, both EAP and HQC finalists will participate in joint educational seminars. Topics covered will include saddle fit, equine health, sports psychology and rider fitness.
Auditing of all mounted sessions of the EAP National Training Session is free and open to the public.
In addition to title sponsor Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund and the University of Findlay, the Emerging Athletes Program and the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge are supported in part by a grant from US Equestrian, as well as individual donors through the USHJA Foundation.
For more information on the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, visit ushja.org/EAP. For more information on the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, visit ushja.org/HQC.