USEA Names Athletes for Winter 2026-2027 EA21 National Camp
Leesburg, Va.—Oct. 1—The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to announce the 12 young athletes selected for the 2026-2027 USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) National Camp. Following five regional clinics held across the country this summer, these athletes have been invited to continue their development through the next stage of the EA21 program, taking place on the West Coast this year.
The EA21 National Camp will take place Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2026, through Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027, at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California. Led by EA21 Director of Coaching David O’Connor, the five-day camp will provide athletes with an immersive educational experience focused on developing their riding, horsemanship, and skills both in and out of the saddle. Additionally, the EA21 regional clinic coaches will be there to support education.
Throughout the summer, 12 athletes were selected to participate in each of five EA21 regional clinics led by USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) coaches. The 2026 clinics included East Coast I at Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Leesburg, Virginia, coached by Bec Braitling; East Coast II at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, coached by Emily Mastervich; Central at Chaps Equestrian Center in Bucyrus, Kansas, coached by Ashley Johnson; West Coast I at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, coached by Mastervich; and West Coast II at Aspen Farms in Yelm, Washington, coached by Jan Byyny.
From the athletes who participated in the regional clinics, the USEA EA21 Task Force selected 12 to advance to the program’s fourth annual National Camp. O’Connor believes a group of 12 allows the program to provide each athlete with focused, individualized instruction while fostering a collaborative learning environment among some of the sport’s promising young riders. The athletes invited to attend the 2026-2027 EA21 National Camp are listed below in alphabetical order:
- Paige Beauchamp Crandon (Twin Rivers West I Clinic)
- Simone Clark (Aspen Farms West II Clinic)
- Catherine Frank (Stable View East II Clinic)
- Megan Hopkins (Morven Park East I Clinic)
- Carlin Keefe (Morven Park East I Clinic)
- Olivia Keye (Twin Rivers West I Clinic)
- Flynn Patinkin (Aspen Farms West II Clinic)
- Julia Pinell (Stable View East II Clinic)
- Adelyn Rinehart (Central Clinic)
- Caterina Ritson (Aspen Farms West II Clinic)
- Elle White (Central Clinic)
- Riley Zgrebnak (Moven Park East I Clinic)
The EA21 Task Force put together a wait list for this year’s national camp in case an athlete must withdraw. The Selection Task Force felt that the athletes below were prepared for the national camp level, and if an athlete from the national camp withdraws, then their spot will be filled by the first-ranked athlete from the waitlist from the same respective clinic, as noted:
If any athlete who attended the Morven Park East I Clinic scratches, the alternates in the following order will be:
- Emerson Padgett (Morven Park East I Clinic)
If any athlete who attended the Stable View East II Clinic scratches, the alternates in the following order will be:
- Victoria McCallum (Stable View East II Clinic)
- Jake Tessler (Stable View East II Clinic)
If any athlete who attended the Chaps Equestrian Center Central Clinic scratches, the alternates in the following order will be:
- Sierra Fishell (Central Clinic)
- Willow Schwartz (Central Clinic)
If any athlete who attended the Twin Rivers West I Clinics scratches, the alternates in the following order will be:
- Kylie Scott (Twin Rivers West I Clinic)
If any athlete who attended the Aspen Farms West II Clinics scratches, the alternates in the following order will be:
- Lindsay Essex (Aspen Farms West II Clinic)
The USEA would like to thank the five venues for hosting the EA21 regional clinics (Morven Park, Stable View, Chaps Equestrian Center, Twin Rivers Ranch, Aspen Farms), and for their wonderful hospitality.
For questions regarding the Emerging Athlete U21 Program (EA21), please email Kate Lokey at [email protected]. For questions about the selection procedures or to receive feedback, don't hesitate to contact your regional coach or the EA21 Task Force Chairs.
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 carefully 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, Horse Illustrated, Kerrits, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, WeRideTogether, YETI, and 100xEquine for sponsoring the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program.
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