Tag Archives: Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant

Awards, Eventing/H.T.

USET Foundation Awards Mia Farley with Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant

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Mia Farley and BGS Firecracker (Photo courtesy of Taylor Pence/US Equestrian)

Gladstone, NJ – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation has awarded the 2020 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to Mia Farley, a current member of the United States Equestrian Federation (US Equestrian) Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 Program.

As the recipient of the grant, Farley, who trains with the O’Connor Event Team, will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with her training over the next year. Note: the grant is valid for this year or next, if necessary, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“It is an honor [to receive this grant],” said Farley, of San Clemente, Calif. “The fact that they recognized me and what [I accomplished] last year is huge. This is a big deal for me and really special. I have talked to a couple people [about how to use it], and the most beneficial thing would be to possibly go overseas and get some experience and see how it all works.”

Farley received this select distinction following a solid 2019 competition season. In her first year competing at CCI3-S, CCI3*-L, CCI4*-S, and CCI4-L level events, she placed in the top 15 in eight of the 12 FEI competitions entered. Most notably, she placed second in The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International Three-Day Event CCI4*-L with BGS Firecracker, the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare she owns with Paddy Byrne.

In their debut CCI4*-L, they finished on their dressage score of 38.30. Earlier in the year, they jumped double clear, picking up only 4.4. time penalties to place fifth in the Jersey Fresh International CCI3*-S. US Equestrian named Farley to the Emerging Athlete Eventing 18 Program in 2014. She advanced to the Emerging Athlete Eventing Athlete 25 Program in 2019. In addition, she was part of the bronze medal-winning Area VI team at the 2016 FEI North American Youth Championships.

The USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund allocates the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant annually. Pirie’s family established the fund in her memory for the purpose of providing financial assistance to an eventing athlete identified with great talent and ability to represent the United States in the future. It is intended for a recipient that will benefit most from the opportunity to continue their training with top coaches and to compete against the world’s best in eventing, one of three Olympic equestrian disciplines.

Thanks to the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant, Farley can continue to focus on her training and prepare for competitions, helping to reach her goal of representing the United States on the international stage.

For more information on the USET Foundation, visit www.uset.org.

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

USET Foundation Awards Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to Ryan Keefe

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Ryan Keefe and Flintstar. Photo: Shannon Brinkman Photography.

Gladstone, N.J. – Jan. 14, 2019 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded the 2019 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to up-and-coming eventing rider Ryan Keefe of Sandy Spring, Maryland.

“It’s a really big honor to be chosen for the [Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant] because I know that a lot of other great riders before me have received it,” said Keefe. “It definitely feels good to have the support of the USET Foundation and other people behind the grant who believe in me.”

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant is awarded through the USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. Keefe, this year’s winner, has demonstrated her talent at many of the nation’s top CCI1* and CCI2* events. At just 18 years old and a freshman at the University of Kentucky, Keefe has piloted her top mount, Flintstar, to a number of impressive finishes, including winning the Virginia Horse Trials CCI1* in 2017 and finishing 11th overall at their first CCI2* at Fair Hill International in 2018.

Keefe credits much of her success to her veteran partner Flintstar, who she acquired in 2016. The 2000 Thoroughbred gelding was previously ridden by New Zealand’s Jonelle Price up through the 4* level and even contributed towards New Zealand’s team bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

In July 2018, the pair competed for the first time on the Area II CICOY2* squad at the Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC), which took place in Kalispell, Montana, in conjunction with The Event at Rebecca Farm, where they won team gold and placed fourth individually.

Most recently, Keefe was selected to the Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 program by the US Equestrian (USEF) Eventing Sport Committee in December 2018. The program will host its winter training session with USEF eventing emerging athlete coach Leslie Law in Ocala, Florida from Jan. 14-17.

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund was established by Pirie’s family in her memory with the purpose of helping to provide financial assistance to an eventing rider who has been identified as an athlete with great talent and ability to represent the United States in the future.

As the recipient of the grant, Keefe, who trains with her mom, Rumsey, and Sharon White of Last Frontier Eventing, will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with her training over the next year.

“The grant will help me a lot with our winter training in Ocala,” said Keefe. “Since [Flintstar] is getting older, I would like to get some Advanced Level experience out of him this year. He has been such a good teacher so far for me. A big thanks again to the people behind the grant for all of their support!”

Thanks to the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant, Keefe can focus on continuing her training and preparing for competitions as she aims towards one day representing the United States on the international stage.

For more information on the USET Foundation, visit www.uset.org.

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Eventing/H.T.

USET Foundation Awards 2017 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to Mackenna Shea

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Mackenna Shea and Landioso. Photo By: Leslie Threlkeld.

Gladstone, N.J. – Dec. 20, 2017 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce it has awarded the 2017 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to up-and-coming eventing rider Mackenna Shea of Temecula, California.

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant is awarded through the USET Foundation’s Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. This year’s winner, Shea, has demonstrated her talent at many of the nation’s top CIC3* and CCI4* events. At just 23 years old, Shea and her own Landioso, a 15-year-old Bavarian Warmblood gelding, who she has owned for 10 years, completed their first CCI4* during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2016, and later went on to win the Event at Rebecca Farm CIC3*.

Earlier in 2017, Shea, now 25, was named a recipient of the Karen Stives Eventing Endowment Fund Grant, which allowed her the opportunity to compete in Europe for the first time and participate in the Karen E. Stives European Emerging Athlete Tour.

Under the mentorship of British Olympic gold medalist, Leslie Law, Shea spent the month of May in Great Britain furthering her education and gaining valuable competition experience representing the United States on the international stage. As a result, Shea and Landioso successfully completed the 2017 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* in September.

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund was established by Pirie’s family in her memory with the purpose of helping to provide financial assistance to an eventing rider who has been identified as an emerging athlete with great talent and ability to represent the United States in the future. The recipient of the grant is a person who will benefit from the opportunity of continuing their training with top coaches and competing against the world’s best horse-and-rider combinations in eventing, one of three Olympic equestrian disciplines.

“It’s a huge honor and I was totally surprised,” expressed Shea. “I had a really good year, but I had a lot of support and I have a really great horse. It’s very rewarding to be considered for something like this and I hope next year is even better!”

As the recipient of the grant, Shea, who trains with Tamra Smith of Next Level Eventing, will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with her training over the next year.

“I am planning to going out Florida in late February and I hope to use the grant to help me get out there and pay for lessons,” explained Shea. “That’s going to be a huge benefit for me, not having to worry about how I am going to make it work. I am going to use that as preparation for Kentucky, hopefully.”

Thanks to the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant, Shea can focus on her training and preparing for future events as she aims towards continuing to represent the United States in international competitions.

For more information on the USET Foundation, visit www.uset.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

USET Foundation Awards Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to Savannah “Woodge” Fulton

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Savannah Fulton and Captain Jack (photo by Shannon Brinkman)

Gladstone, N.J. – Nov. 21, 2016 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded the 2016 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to up-and-coming eventing rider Savannah “Woodge” Fulton of Ocala, Florida.

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant is awarded through the USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. Fulton, this year’s winner, has demonstrated her talent at many of the nation’s top CIC3* and CCI3* events. At just 20 years old, Fulton piloted Captain Jack to a number of impressive finishes, including a seventh place overall finish at the 2016 Bromont CCI3* and double clear at Fair Hill International CCI3*.

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund was established by Pirie’s family in her memory with the purpose of helping to provide financial assistance to an eventing rider who has been identified as a rider with great talent and ability to represent the United States in the future. The recipient of the grant is a person who will benefit from the opportunity of continuing their training with top coaches and competing against the world’s best horse and rider combinations in Eventing, one of three Olympic equestrian disciplines.

“I feel really honored to receive this grant,” Fulton said. “I think it’s even more special because I grew up watching Danny Warrington ride. I never had the pleasure of knowing his late wife, Amanda, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about her. It’s cool to know that there are people who believe in you, and do what they can to help young riders and our future teams be successful.”

As the recipient of the grant, Fulton, who trains with Buck Davidson, will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with her training over the next year. The young rider said her main goal will be to focus on her training and to continue to improve in dressage and show jumping. Captain Jack, a 13-year-old thoroughbred gelding, is Fulton’s main 3* mount, but she also rides a number of other horses who will benefit from the grant.

“A very good friend of Buck’s got Captain Jack off the track,” Fulton explained. “I’ve had him for just over two years, and he’s just been fabulous. I’m in an awesome program in my fifth year here with Buck, but I’m hoping this grant will allow us to get even better. I owe all of this to Buck. He was super proud of me for this.”

Looking to the future, Fulton hopes to be a part of the U.S. team internationally during her eventing career.

“I’m hoping that I can make the United States very proud someday,” Fulton said. “And make the people behind this grant proud, as well.”

Thanks to the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant, Fulton can focus continuing her training and preparing for competitions as she aims toward one day representing the United States on the international stage.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Awards, Eventing/H.T., Phelps Media Group

USET Foundation Awards Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to Jenny Caras

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Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude at 2015 Fair Hill. Photo By: Shannon Brinkman.

Gladstone, NJ – January 6, 2016 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded the 2016 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to eventing rider Jenny Caras of Cartersville, Georgia.

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant is awarded through the USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. In 2015, 19-year-old Caras, with her talented mount Fernhill Fortitude, took the eventing world by storm as one of youngest riders in the country successfully competing at the CCI*** and CIC*** level.

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund was established by Pirie’s family in her memory with the purpose of helping to provide financial assistance to an eventing rider who has been identified as a rider with great talent and ability to represent the United States in the future. On January 15, 2015, Robert S. Pirie, Amanda’s father, passed away. It was Mr. Pirie that made the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant possible. Amanda meant the world to Mr. Pirie, and this was his way of keeping her memory and spirit alive in the eventing community. They will always be remembered through this grant.

The recipient of the grant is a person that will benefit from the opportunity of continuing their training with top coaches and competing against the world’s best horse and rider combinations in Eventing, one of three Olympic equestrian disciplines.

“It’s a huge honor. I was not expecting it at all,” expressed Caras. “It’s really exciting, and an honor that people recognize the horses that I have and they want to give me a shot.”

As the recipient of the grant, Caras will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with her training over the next year. Her main target will be to travel with “Forty,” an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, to the Bramham Horse Trials in England over the summer.

“That’s my big goal for the summer,” explained Caras. “I’d really like to use this grant to open up opportunities for me to get more training that I wouldn’t have necessarily gotten without it, especially in the show jumping because that’s my weakness. I’d like to use the money to go to jumper shows and get jumper lessons to supplement everything else that I’m doing.”

After earning the Team Gold and Individual Bronze medals in 2013 at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, Caras and Forty began consistently competing at the CIC*** and CCI*** level in 2015. Competing against riders with much more experience, they placed sixth at Jersey Fresh and fourth at Bromont. She also won the Markham Trophy as the highest placed young rider in the United States that had not competed at the CCI4* level during Fair Hill International.

“I started working for Phillip Dutton last December, and we moved Forty up to advanced. He handled it like a pro,” Caras said. “Cross-country goes easily for him. He jumps it if at all possible, sometimes probably when it’s not! I had a really, really good year, and I couldn’t have done it without the help of Phillip Dutton and David O’Connor. Leslie Law, the under 25 coach, helped me tremendously with Forty on the flat. I’m really excited for this year and hopefully we can keep things going in the right direction.”

Beyond continuing her education with Forty, Caras hopes to be a part of the U.S. team internationally during her career. “That’s what I’ve wanted to do since before I even knew really what the sport was about,” she laughed. “I knew that I wanted to go to the Olympic Games for Eventing. It’s just something that I’ve always been working toward, and hopefully someday it will happen. It’s opportunities like this that will make it more possible for me. I’m really honored to have received this grant, and I’m really honored that people believe in me.”

Thanks to the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant, Caras can focus on Forty’s training and preparing him for the right competitions to further his career as Caras aims toward one day representing the United States on the international stage.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Eventing/H.T.

USET Foundation Awards Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to Meghan O’Donoghue

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Meghan O’Donoghue is the recipient of the 2014 Amanda Warrington Grant from the USET Foundation. Photo By: Shannon Brinkman.

Gladstone, NJ – November 19, 2013 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded the 2014 Amanda Warrington Grant to Eventing rider Meghan O’Donoghue of Carbondale, IL. The Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant is awarded through the USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. Earlier this year, O’Donoghue and her talented mount Pirate competed at their first 4* event during the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event CCI, where they placed twelfth.

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund was established by Amanda’s family in her memory with the purpose of helping provide financial assistance to an event rider who has been identified as a rider with great talent and ability to represent the United States in the future.

The Grant Committee recommends a recipient that they believe will benefit from the opportunity of continuing their training with top coaches and competing against the world’s best horse and rider combinations in Eventing, one of three Olympic equestrian disciplines, and it is then ratified by the USET Foundation Executive Committee.

“I am extremely honored to receive the Amanda Warrington Grant as this year comes to a close,” expressed O’Donoghue. “I had a great 2013 with my first 4* and first international event under my belt. The opportunities this grant will provide for me will hopefully produce even better results for 2014. Again, I can’t thank the USET Foundation and the committee enough for choosing me, and I will use this grant to honor Amanda.”

As the recipient of the grant, O’Donoghue will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with her training over the next year. After receiving the Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant earlier this year, O’Donoghue was able to compete at the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials CCI3* in England just six months after her 4* début with Pirate.

O’Donoghue was most recently named to the High Performance Winter/Spring Training Lists for the 2014 season. An 11-year-old off-track Thoroughbred, Pirate and O’Donoghue have been partnered together for eight years, taking the Eventing world by storm and ready to prove they can represent the United States on the international stage.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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