United States Eventing Association

Caroline Martin and Mackenna Shea to Represent United States During Karen E. Stives European Developing Tour

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 at the 2016 Rolex Kentucky CCI4*. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

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 long time partner Landioso and myself. 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.

The USET Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America's elite and developing international and high performance horses and athletes in partnership with US Equestrian.

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