Tag Archives: USET Foundation

Awards, Community/Charity, Show Jumping

USET Foundation Awards Maxine Beard Trophy to Daisy Farish at NAYC

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Daisy Farish and Great White. Photo: SEL Photography.

Gladstone, N.J. – Aug. 13, 2018 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is excited to announce this year’s recipient of the coveted Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award is Daisy Farish of Versailles, Kentucky. At just 17 years old, the accomplished athlete will be adding this prestigious award to her growing list of achievements.

The presentation of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award will take place at the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) each year.

Farish earned the award after being the highest placing United States Young Rider at the 2018 NAYC in the Individual Show Jumping Final, held this year from July 31 to August 5 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York.

With the ongoing mission to support and further the level of America’s developing horses and athletes, the USET Foundation Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award was established to elevate athletes’ opportunities on their journey to equestrian excellence.

“It was really a dream come true,” Farish explained. “I have competed at NAYC for three years in the Junior division, so this was my first year doing the Young Riders division. It was such a nice show at Old Salem Farm. They did a really great job with it. It is been a goal of mine to be successful there for a very long time, so winning meant a lot to me.”

Trained by Andre Dignelli and the team at Heritage Farm, Farish rode her 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Great White, to earn a spot on the podium wearing the gold medal after her incredible performances over the course of a few days.

“I have had Bruce for almost three years now. I got him when he was a 7-year-old. We have really grown together and started jumping bigger classes together. It is a really cool feeling to progress at the same rate. He has been so amazing and just couldn’t have been better at Young Riders,” Farish said.

The top three podium spots were selected to go to compete in the Young Rider’s Nation’s Cup in Belgium in September, so Farish will be venturing to Europe shortly and is hoping for further success with the United States Young Rider Teams.

“I now get to take him to Belgium in about one month. I am really excited for that,” Farish said. “As far as the rest of the year, we will continue focusing on getting experience in some of the bigger classes. He is so brave and scopey, so he has been a really great horse for me to jump the bigger classes on.”

As the winner of this immense honor, Farish will also receive a trip to a FEI Nations Cup Show Jumping competition. This will give the young athlete a look at a major international competition including the chance to observe operations in the horse show office, stabling area, veterinary inspections and schooling rings. Farish will also walk and discuss each course and have the chance to strategize with U.S. team riders and the chef d’Equipe.

Farish acknowledged how having the support of the USET Foundation has benefited her as she continues on her path toward competing for the United States at the highest level of the sport.

“The USET Foundation is really great. I have competed at USET Finals many times and I know that they are very involved in that, as well,” Farish noted. “I know everyone, especially the USET Foundation, is trying to focus on developing young riders. It is really cool to be a part of that generation that they are focusing on and supporting.”

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

Equestrian Assistance, Eventing/H.T., Phelps Media Group

Hallie Coon and Caroline Martin Awarded USET Foundation Karen Stives Endowment Fund Grant

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Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse. Photo: Shannon Brinkman.

Gladstone, N.J. – Feb. 27, 2018 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is proud to announce that Hallie Coon and Caroline Martin have been named as the recipients of the 2018 Karen Stives Endowment Fund Grants in the amount of $25,000 each.

Both riders will participate at the Houghton Hall CIC on May 24-27, before going to compete at the Bramham CCI3* in the U25 section from June 7-10. The riders will further their education in between the two events by visiting the United Kingdom-based stables of legendary coaches and Olympians, Carl Hester and William Fox-Pitt.

Coon and Martin will also visit steeplechasing training facilities and continue to practice and learn under the mentorship of Emerging Athlete Coach and British Olympic Gold Medalist, Leslie Law, who will also be coaching them at both competitions.

Coon, of Brunswick, Maine, said, “I’m so surprised and thrilled. I never thought I would have this opportunity, but we’re so lucky to have this funding and it was so generous for Karen to have left this for us. It’s just a great opportunity to have as Under-25 riders. I don’t think we’ve really had this much support in the past and I’m just really lucky to be doing this at the time I am. I’m really looking forward to it.”

When asked if she has trained overseas before, she said, “I haven’t. I’ve done the standard trip up to Bromont, but that’s hardly outside the U.S. I’m floored that we get to compete against the best Under-25 riders in the world, as well as everyone else in the class and be able to compare yourself to them.”

“I’m taking Celien,” Coon continued. “She’s my 3* mare and she’s great because she really handles the atmosphere well. She’s always cool and collected, so she’ll travel quite well. I’m very excited.”

The other recipient, Caroline Martin, also received this grant last year. She said, “It’s been a really great season so far. I had really good luck last year with two of my horses, Pebbly Maximus and Danger Mouse.

“Being able to win this and represent my country is just incredible,” Martin, of Ocala, Florida, continued. “I’m really proud to represent Karen Stives on the international stage and to be able to keep getting support from my country and the education competing overseas is unreal. It’s great to spend the month over there with a horse. Being able to be trained by Leslie Law for the entire time is really a great honor.”

The Karen Stives European Emerging Athlete Tour’s mission is to help event riders in the USEF’s Emerging Athlete program to prepare to represent the United States on an international stage in the future, strengthening the pipeline of qualified riders to create medal-winning teams. Stives is an Olympic Gold and Silver medalist who established this program with a benevolent gift of $1 million dollars to help talented up-and-coming evening riders.

Coon and Martin will travel to Great Britain in May to begin the Karen Stives European Emerging Athlete Tour, where they will gain valuable experience as they represent the United States on the international platform.

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, 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

Auctions, Awards, Benefits, Community/Charity, World Equestrian Games

USET Foundation to Host “Triumph in Tryon” Gala to Benefit US World Equestrian Games Teams

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Gladstone, N.J. – Dec. 1, 2017 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce it will be hosting a World Equestrian Games benefit event on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. The “Triumph in Tryon” will help raise necessary funds for the USET Foundation to further support the United States equestrian team riders as they prepare and compete at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Tryon, North Carolina.

During this celebratory evening, guests will enjoy cocktails at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. as well as a live auction for a chance to bid on some incredible items followed by dancing. The event will also include the presentation of three of the USET Foundation’s most coveted awards, the prestigious Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy, the Whitney Stone Cup and the R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award.

Mark your calendars for the “Triumph in Tryon” and be sure to purchase your tickets no later than Dec. 20. This benefit will sell out! Tables and reserved seating are on a first come, first served basis. When making your table reservation, please indicate the names of your table guests.

You do not want to miss this fun and important event recognizing the USET Foundation’s generous supporters and our country’s top athletes, while continuing to raise funds for the 2018 World Equestrian Games! Invitations are in the mail or you may also purchase tickets and tables.

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.

Caroline Martin and Doug Payne Awarded Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grants

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Caroline Martin and The Apprentice. Photo By: Shannon Brinkman.

Gladstone, N.J. – July 20, 2017 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s recipients of the Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grants are Caroline Martin and Doug Payne. Martin and Payne were recognized and unanimously selected by the US Equestrian eventing selectors due to their impressive records and future in representing the United States in international competition.

As recipients of the Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grants, Payne (Aiken, South Carolina) will travel to compete in the Blenheim CCI3* in Oxford, England with his and Debi Crowley’s gelding, Vandiver. Martin (Riegelsville, Pennsylvania) will travel to The Netherlands for the Military Boekelo-Enschede CCIO3* in October to compete her two geldings, Pebbly Maximus and The Apprentice.

Payne’s show jumping and dressage has continued to improve throughout his career in addition to maintaining his success in cross-country. Payne took over the ride for Vandiver in 2015 and in 2016, the pair placed fourth in The Fork CIC3* in April and earned a third place finish in the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships in August.

“It’s a huge honor and certainly an obligation to do our best and make the most of the opportunity,” noted Payne. “It’s a great opportunity against the best in Europe. The timing works really well and sets us up for 2018, which is the ultimate goal. I have to thank Jacqueline Mars and the USET Foundation for having faith in me and awarding grants like this. The experience gained is very difficult to get by yourself.”

Payne and Vandiver continued to find success in 2017, earning a second place at Pine Top Advanced CIC3* in February and a second place finish in April at The Fork CIC3*. Payne also plans to compete in the Millbrook Horse Trials and the American Eventing Championships before traveling to England.

Martin has been a part of the Emerging Athlete’s program since 2013, and recently received the 2017 Karen Stives Eventing Endowment Fund Grant. Martin had the opportunity to participate in the Karen E. Stives European Emerging Athlete Tour under the tutelage of Leslie Law, furthering her education and gaining competitive experience in Great Britain. Martin finished her two horses, Pebbly Maximus and The Apprentice, in fifth and eighth place, respectively, at the Bramham International CCI3*-U25 in June.

“It’s unreal to receive this grant,” expressed Martin. “It’s the second grant I’ve received this year and it’s a dream come true to have this much support from my country. I’ve always wanted to be a professional rider. I’ve now switched over from the Under 25 group to the young professional and it’s wonderful to go overseas and represent my country. I have two remarkable horses with The Apprentice and Pebbly Maximus and I hope to improve upon my results from earlier this year.”

Martin had the first 3* win of her career this year at Carolina International’s CIC3* in March. At just 22 years old, Martin is one of the country’s up-and-coming stars, and her return to Europe with her two geldings will be a strong stepping stone in her aim towards competing at the Kentucky CCI4* in spring 2018.

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

Community/Charity, Driving, Equestrian Assistance

USET Foundation Announces Launch of the Driving Challenge

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Gladstone, N.J. – June 20, 2017 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of a transformational fundraising initiative, the Driving Challenge, made possible through the generosity of Misdee and James Miller, Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown.

As active drivers and loyal supporters of equestrian sport, these competitors have come together to lead in their support for the US Equestrian High Performance Driving program.  The goal of the initiative is to raise $1,200,000 for the driving discipline, through multi-year gift commitments of $20,000 or more, made by December 31, 2017. These gift commitments will be matched dollar for dollar up to $500,000. Misdee and James Miller, Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown invite fellow drivers, owners and enthusiasts to help create a legacy for the United States High Performance Driving program by contributing to the Driving Challenge.

The United States High Performance Driving program is ready to advance to the next level. To achieve this, continued effort needs to be made in identifying and preparing U.S. drivers through the developing program, and to provide international competition opportunities for success at the elite level. Securing the services of world-class coaches, as well providing grants for European competitions are central to achieving success. In order to accomplish this and close the gap between nations currently winning international medals, an investment in the programs and the drivers must be made to establish a pathway to the podium.

The Driving Challenge will create a source of funding that can be drawn upon each year and provide increased support for the high performance programs. It will establish a meaningful base of annual support for all the driving disciplines including singles, pairs, ponies and four-in-hand. The challenge will also create momentum and provide an incentive for others to contribute, knowing their gifts will be matched.

Ensuring U.S. drivers have the opportunity and sufficient financial resources to train and compete in international championships depends on a commitment from all those passionate about the discipline of driving and from those that want to see our U.S. driving teams achieve excellence in international championships. Today we call on you to consider our U.S equestrian team’s path forward. Your leadership and participation in this exciting challenge will define the future of our nation’s equestrian sporting tradition in driving and underscore the importance of this incredible opportunity.

For more information about making a donation to the Driving Challenge, please contact Bonnie B. Jenkins at bjenkins@uset.org or call 908-234-1251.

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

Fundraisers, Phelps Media Group

Kim Haymond Wins Custom Breyer Horse Model in USET Foundation’s PonyUp! Fundraising Contest

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Gladstone, N.J. – June 16, 2017 – Kim Haymond of Prairie Village, Kansas has won the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s recent PonyUp! fundraising contest in which participants created teams to help raise funds to support our U.S. equestrian teams. In addition, Breyer® also joined the contest and agreed to create a custom-painted Breyer® model on the mold of the winner’s choice. The horse selected could be the winner’s own horse or simply the horse of their dreams! Breyer® creates only one or two custom models each year and the winning prize was valued at $2,500.

Haymond is an avid Breyer® collector and is well-known throughout the model horse hobby as the creator of exquisite, realistic and scaled environments in which to display model horses. Haymond often works with her mother, Kathi, the co-owner of Tabletop Studios, on projects. Recently, the pair created a set of bases for dioramas on display in the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop. They are well-known teachers and often give workshops for Breyer® at BreyerFest and other events. As the winner of the USET Foundation’s PonyUp! fundraising contest, Haymond will be the recipient of a custom-designed Breyer® model of her choice as well as a framed Rio Olympic poster signed by the entire 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic equestrian teams.

“I loved the idea of supporting our U.S. equestrian teams and winning such a coveted prize. Breyer® rarely makes custom models and I intend to use this opportunity to create my dream horse,” said Haymond.

Haymond was in a head-to-head race for first place with 17-year-old Carly Kudalis of Pelham, New Hampshire. The high school junior, who competes with her 6-year-old American Saddlebred gelding in saddle seat, hunt seat and dressage, engaged in a wide variety of activities to achieve her fundraising goal including creating and selling custom, hand-painted models on eBay, raffling off a pair of highly sought-after New England Patriots tickets and hosting a plant sale. The race to the finish was intense and in the end, Haymond won by less than $200.

“I decided to participate in the PonyUp! contest because I am first and foremost absolutely in love with horses,” said Kudalis. “It was an amazing experience. I love working with Breyer® and everything they do. I also 100 percent support the USET Foundation. The contest was awesome. It was an intense three weeks but it turned out pretty well. I am happy with how it went!”

“We were so impressed by the tremendous effort that Carly made that we have decided to present her with a runner-up prize,” said Stephanie Macejko, Breyer®’s vice president of marketing. “She showed such dedication and ingenuity in her efforts to raise funds that we just had to do something special for her.”

Overall, the PonyUp! contest was a huge success and fulfilled its mission of creating awareness of the need to support the USET Foundation, which relies primarily on donations to fund our high performance horses and athletes representing Team USA at the highest levels of competition around the word. Young athletes are the future of the sport and the funds raised in the PonyUp! contest will help introduce and develop the next generation of high performance equestrian athletes.

The USET Foundation will be hosting Breyer®, the maker of the world’s finest model horses, for another exciting Pony Up! Festival at their headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey, Saturday, June 17. This fun, hands-on and family-oriented festival will feature some of the real local horses that inspired the Breyer® models.

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

Community/Charity, Eventing/H.T.

Jacqueline B. Mars and USET Foundation Launch the Giltedge Endowment Fund Challenge

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David O’Connor and Giltedge. Photo By: Shannon Brinkman.

Gladstone, N.J. – May 31, 2017 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of a transformational fundraising initiative, the Giltedge Endowment Fund Challenge, made possible through the generosity of Jacqueline B. Mars.

The goal of the initiative is to raise $1,500,000 to firmly establish the Giltedge Endowment Fund for the discipline of eventing. Mars has generously pledged a million dollars, of which up to $500,000 she will match $1 for $1 from gift commitments made by Dec. 31. Mars invites fellow eventing enthusiasts to help her in creating a legacy for the United States eventing high performance program by contributing to the Giltedge Endowment Fund. This endowment will create a reliable source of funding that can be drawn upon year in and year out to supplement the USET Foundation’s annual funds and provide increased support for the high performance programs.

In 2012, Mars, USET Foundation honorary trustee, eventing horse owner and longtime loyal supporter of equestrian sport, generously established the Giltedge Challenge. That challenge raised over $1.5 million in annual program support for the eventing high performance program over the last quadrennial from 2013-2016.

With deep appreciation for Mars’ leadership, and the many loyal and generous supporters of the USET Foundation, the comprehensive fundraising program achieved great success. The 2017 Giltedge Endowment Fund Challenge will now provide stability and permanence that will ensure funding for future generations. These invaluable resources will also serve as a catalyst and supplement the traditional monies raised from generous supporters each year to ensure a comprehensive, medal-winning program from the emerging and development level to the elite level, which will create a pathway to the podium for our eventing athletes well into the future.

“I was very encouraged by the success of the Giltedge Challenge,” said Mars. “That initiative helped to support and sustain the United States high performance eventing program over the course of the last quadrennial. I am pleased to be able to build on the success of that effort by establishing the Giltedge Endowment Fund Challenge. I hope this challenge will inspire others to join me in creating a legacy for U.S. high performance eventing.”

The USET Foundation asks you to consider a gift commitment to help grow the Giltedge Endowment Fund. Your commitment will create momentum, raise sights and signal to others the seriousness and significance of both current and deferred philanthropy to the future of our sport, while creating a lasting legacy, supporting the great tradition of United States equestrian sports now and ensuring its continued excellence in the future.

For more information about making a donation to the Giltedge Endowment Fund Challenge, please contact Jim Wolf at jwolf@uset.org or call 908-234-1251.

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

Dressage, Phelps Media Group

Once in a Lifetime “Olympian Experience” Offered at US Dressage Festival of Champions

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Gladstone, N.J. – April 21, 2017 – The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, hosted by the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation at historic Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, New Jersey, is pleased to offer a very special “Olympian Experience” package to train with an Olympian and enjoy this year’s event, held May 18-21, as a VIP.

This opportunity of a lifetime, presented by Dressage Today, will include a training session with a U.S. dressage Olympian on Saturday, May 20, and the chance to ride a dressage test (of your choice) critiqued by an FEI international judge. Furthermore, participants will receive two VIP Patron tent seats and hospitality throughout the championships, two invitations to the competitors’ Welcome Reception on Wednesday, May 17, two invitations to the Olympic Celebration Cocktail Reception on Saturday, May 20, one VIP parking pass and a one-year subscription to Dressage Today. In addition, there will be a special “draw” for Olympian Experience participants at the Olympic Celebration Cocktail Reception.

The Olympian Experience packages are $5,000 and are very limited on a first come, first serve basis. For federal income tax purposes, the tax-deductible portion of your charitable donation to the USET Foundation is $3,800. The USET Foundation’s federal tax identification number is 22-1668879.

Please contact Maureen Pethick at 908-234-1251 (ext. 207) or email mpethick@uset.org for more information and to apply for the Olympian Experience package.

The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions will draw top horse-and-rider combinations from across the country to compete for the three coveted champion titles. The prestigious ‘Brentina Cup’ for riders ages 16-25 attracts highly talented youth and their mounts for the opportunity to ride with other competitive athletes their age.

The event will also feature the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, the USEF Intermediaire I Championship and the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship, presented by Dressage Today.

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

Eventing/H.T., Phelps Media Group

Caroline Martin and Mackenna Shea to Represent US during Karen Stives European Developing Tour

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Caroline Martin with Pebbly Maximus. Photos By: Shannon Brinkman.

Gladstone, N.J. – March 29, 2017 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is proud to announce that Caroline Martin and Mackenna Shea have been named as the recipients of the 2017 Karen Stives Eventing Endowment Fund Grants. Martin and Shea will participate in the Karen E. Stives European Emerging Athlete Tour, which will give these E25 athletes a chance to represent the United States on an international stage at the 2017 Houghton Hall CICO3* and Bramham International CCI3*-U25 in Great Britain.

Established with a generous $1 million gift from Olympic Gold and Silver medalist, Karen Stives, the Karen Stives European Emerging Athlete Tour aims to encourage up-and-coming eventers in the USEF’s Emerging Athlete Program to step up and prepare themselves to represent the United States internationally in the future, strengthening the pipeline of qualified riders to create future medal-winning teams.

Under the mentorship of British Olympic Gold Medalist Leslie Law, the two emerging athletes will spend a month in Great Britain furthering their education and gaining valuable competition experience. In addition to working with Law, Martin and Shea will have the opportunity to visit Olympian Carl Hester’s yard and a steeplechase yard.

Martin will compete with Pebbly Maximus, her 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. In 2015, the duo completed their first CIC3* at the Red Hills International Horse Trials, and in 2016 they went on to complete The Fork CIC3*, the Bromont CCI3* and the Richland Park Horse Trials CIC3*. They closed out the year with an impressive eighth place finish at the Fair Hill International CCI3*. In 2015, Martin competed in the Bramham International CCI3*-U25 with Quantum Solace, placing tenth during the valuable European experience.

“I was actually really surprised,” expressed Martin. “This is an awesome opportunity. It’s really great that we have the backing for Under 25 riders. To be able to go overseas and compete with the world’s best Under 25 event riders – we’re really lucky that our country does this for us. It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to represent this grant and Karen Stives.”

Martin added, “I’m looking forward to being able to make the jump from junior to professional and being able to go over and compete and be on my top form. It’s definitely the next step into becoming a professional and, thanks to this grant, I think it’s a great start to my professional career.”

Mackenna Shea and Landioso

Shea is based in California with Tamra Smith, and will be competing with Landioso, a 15-year-old Bavarian Warmblood gelding that she has owned for 10 years. The pair 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*. Thanks to the Karen Stives Endowment Fund Grant, Shea will have her first opportunity to compete in Europe.

“I’m honored and grateful to have been chosen to receive the Karen Stives grant,” expressed Shea. “Without Karen’s generosity to set up this fund, a trip like this truly wouldn’t be possible for my longtime partner Landioso and me. Being a part of the Emerging Athletes program has been a huge asset to my development, and now with the help of this generous grant, I will be able to take what I have learned abroad. Spending several weeks in Europe at two different venues will be unlike anything I have ever experienced before, and I hope this trip can bring me closer to my goal of one day riding on a team. I would not have even been in a position to apply for this opportunity had it not been for the team supporting me so I would like to especially thank them as well.”

Martin and Shea will travel to Great Britain in May to begin the Karen Stives European Emerging Athlete Tour, where they will gain valuable experience as they represent the United States on the international stage.

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