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Jun 11, 2012
The Shepherds of Area V
Fleeceworks is proud to announce their Sponsorship of the Area V Young Riders Teams. They would like to invite all of our fans to follow the journey to the North American Junior/Young Riders Championships in Kentucky on their website as well as the USEA site with Area V Young Rider, Jacob Fletcher.
Greetings from Area V Young Riders! Jacob Fletcher here. We have been on quite a ride this year and thought you all might want to take it with us!! Our trip began in January, where most of us have been sprinting around the countryside in a frenzied attempt to get qualified all winter and spring season. We have been everywhere: from the Ocala CCI* and CCI2* to the opposite end of the Country where some are going to Colorado Horse Park’s upcoming CCI* and CCI2*. Somewhere during all of our own shows, we had to take time out to see the show we all dream about going to…Rolex! Here my teammate Avery and I were lucky enough to meet up with the people from Fleeceworks. They have graciously decided to sponsor our Young Riders team this year, so we have decided to record our travels through a blog.
Having just recently qualified at the Chattahoochee CIC2*, I can relax and stretch for a bit, but I still have a long way until team selection and bidding farewell to Area V on board Coach Mike Huber’s beast of a horse trailer! (I think it is safe to say we look like the “Clampits” aka the Beverly Hillbillies traveling down the highway. If only we could find a way to strap Mrs. Diane Pitts our Area Coordinator to the top in her rocking chair.) Just kidding, Diane like all of the other people involved in our young rider program are the best!
I, like many other aspiring young riders, will be staying at Mike Huber’s barn in Bartonville, Texas for the summer in preparation for Young Riders. Two weeks prior to our voyage to the Kentucky Horse Park, the infamous Area V Young Riders Boot Camp begins at Mike Huber’s barn, where we scrub his infinitely long concrete hallway with toothbrushes. OK, maybe it’s not that harsh, but we probably do the equivalent to that in our intense lessons in the unforgiving Texas summer heat! It’s a hard life for us Young Riders who ride until noon and then head to lunch, the mall, Mike’s swimming pool, Six Flags, or an abundance of other entertaining events. (It is tough to be from Area V hanging out together in Dallas.) Seriously, though we work very, very hard. We want to win! We want to be the best! And we definitely want to keep those awesome sheepskin pads coming our way!!!
I think you will enjoy coming along with us on this journey to Young Riders. For those of you who have never been to the Championships it can be like the proverbial “Agony and the Ecstasy”. Things can be going fantastically and then unexpectedly take a turn for the worse. The thing I have found about eventers is that they always seem to persevere. Either way, in Area V there never seems to be a dull moment! On this trek, you will be hearing from riders, coaches, grooms, and kids participating in the mentorship program at this year’s North American Junior Young Rider Championship. This year, we are expecting to have a full team and two individuals on the CCI* team, and a full team and one individual on the CCI** team. Just an introduction to a few of us.
Riders trying out for the CCI* include:
Tori New and Fleeceworks Mystere Du Val (Must be a good omen! Good Horse ... Great product!
Alyssa Phillips and Exploring
Jordan Payton and Slew’s Aftershock
Audrey Figari and Land Des Feuers
Brindley House and Might Be Regal
Diana Heinrich and Weja Annabridget
Taylor Wood and On Eagle’s Wings
Ann O’Neal Pevahouse and Don Bosco
Riders trying out for the CCI2* include:
Jacob Fletcher (myself) and The Prof
Alexa Ehlers and In Any Event
Avery Klunick and In it to Win It
Mary Frances Cargile and Take the Mick
Emma Kate Fisher and Carlingford’s Forever
Apr 20, 2025
Competitions
Meet the 35 Competitors of the 2025 #K3DE
Happy Kentucky week eventing fans! The 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event kicks off with the first formal horse inspection for the five-star field this Wednesday, April 23. With so much excitement building up for the competition this year, we compiled all the facts you might want to know about this year's five-star lineup. Get to know each of the horses and riders entered this year a little bit better below!
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Education
Here’s to the Horse Trials: The Benefits of Eventing Competitions from Grassroots to FEI
Horse trials, from local grassroots competitions to FEI-level events, are the heartbeat of the eventing world. These trials are more than just a test of skill for riders and horses; they are essential to the growth and sustainability of the entire equestrian community.
Apr 18, 2025
'Lucky to Be Here': Meet the First-Time Five-Star Riders of Kentucky
Whether you've brought your horse up from Novice or took on the ride later in their career, getting to your first five-star on a special partner is a huge accomplishment.
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Eventing News
Weekend Quick Links: April 19-20
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered!
