United States Eventing Association

Thank You to Those Involved in the 2024-2025 EA21 National Camp!

The third annual USEA Emerging Athletes U21 program (EA21) National Camp concluded on Saturday after a week filled with education and enjoyment. Under the guidance of EA21 Director of Coaching, David O’Connor, 12 selected athletes participated in this year's camp, held at Sweet Dixie South in Reddick, Florida.

The success of this year’s USEA EA21 program was made possible by the contributions of many individuals, and the USEA extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved. Special thanks are owed to Sweet Dixie South and their team for graciously hosting the National Camp.

O’Connor demonstrated exceptional expertise and dedicated considerable effort to the successful execution of the EA21 program throughout 2024. Regional coaches associated with EA21, including Rebecca Brown, Bec Braitling, Emily Mastervich, and Jan Byyny, were present on-site to provide support, complemented by the contributions of apprentice Ashley Johnson.

This year, five catch-ride horses were sourced for the athletes who flew from the West Coast for the National Camp, and those horses were provided in kind by: Sara Kozumplik, Emily Mastervich, and Joe and Ruthie Meyer. The USEA extends its profound gratitude to these loaners for their invaluable support and commitment to the development of equestrian athletes in the U.S.

Kerrits served as the “Official Merchandise Kit Provider of the USEA EA21 National Camp” and provided each National Camp athlete with five embroidered shirts, a jacket, hat, and two pairs of breeches, along with a grooms tote bag.

Schneiders Saddlery provided each selected athlete with a custom embroidered EA21 scrim for their horses to take home. ARMA provided beautiful ear bonnets for each athlete to take home, and WeRideTogether created a gift pack for each athlete. New this year, YETI provided drinkware for all athletes and coaches. Mythic Landing Enterprises provided educational materials and the Grid Pro Quo book for each athlete to take home. Additionally, Bates Saddles, PulseVet, Ride iQ, and Sidelines Magazine sponsor the EA21 program, many of which provide athletes with incentives year-round.

The USEA would like to thank the entire USEA EA21 Task Force for introducing the program in its third year, and those members include: Chair John Bourgoin, BOG representative Molly Pellegrini, Coaches Emily Mastervich, Bec Braitling, Rebecca Brown, Jan Byyny, Shannon Lilley, and David O’Connor, coach-elect Ashley Johnson, and members Max Corcoran, Jonathan Elliot, Mia Farley, Sara Kozumplik, Lauren Nicholson, Leonie Padgett, Diane Pitts, and Teresa Harcourt.

Lastly, the USEA would like to thank the USEA Foundation and all those who helped fundraise and donate to make this program possible in its first three years. Special thanks go to Leonie Padgett for developing the strategic plan and fundraising efforts for the EA21 program this year. The USEA looks forward to continuing this educational development program.

About the USEA Emerging Athlete U21 Program (EA21)

The purpose of the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program (EA21) is to identify and provide consistent quality instruction to the next generation of elite event riders. The aim is to create a pipeline for potential team riders by identifying and developing young talent, improving horsemanship and riding skills, and training and improving skills and consistency.

The USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program was launched in 2022 with a model of five summertime regional clinics taught by selected USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) coaches, leading to a winter national camp consisting of selected Young Riders from the regional clinics. Athletes who are 21 years or younger, are current members of their USEA Young Rider Area program, and are established at the Training Level or higher, are eligible to apply for the EA21 program. Click here to learn more about the USEA EA21 Program.

The USEA would like to thank ARMA, Bates Saddles, Kerrits, Mythic Landing Enterprises, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, WeRideTogether and YETI for sponsoring the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program.