United States Eventing Association

Adamstown, Md.—June 27—Thirty-four riders from seven USEA areas and Canada have flocked to the Maryland International this weekend for the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing Young Rider National Championships.

Friday’s dressage started off misty and grey—a brief respite from the intense heat and humidity this week.

Kelsey Seidel (Area V) and Chico’s Man VDF Z were one of the pairs caught in a brief rainstorm this morning, but that didn’t worry them as they slotted into the lead in the CCI3U25*-S on a score of 26.8, which gives them a 6-point lead heading into tomorrow’s cross-country.

“It was great. It’s such a pleasure to come here to Loch Moy, which is a farm that I’ve had the joy of competing at for the last 10 years,” she said. “It feels like home to come and ride at Young Riders. ‘Sprout’ was just absolutely beautiful in the ring. He really came in and wanted to do a good job. We got caught in a little bit of a rainstorm, so the pictures will be interesting—I think we both came out soaked in water—but he did such a good job, put his head down, and went to work just like the champ he is.”

This is Seidel’s first Young Rider Championship. She was thrilled to help Area V take home the golf cart decorating contest yesterday and enjoyed bonding with other riders from her area. With only five combinations in the three-star division, Seidel is riding as an individual.

“It’s just been such a great bonding experience,” she said of the week so far. “We don’t always get to see so many younger riders who are as passionate about this sport as we are. So, to have all of us at one show, in one venue—it’s really exciting to see the future of the sport right in front of you.”

Sprout, a 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Chico’s Boy x Chardonnay Z), competed to the five-star level with his owner, Lexi Scovil.

“He’s a dreamboat,” said Seidel. “He and I have been partnered together for exactly a year now. She did all of the hard work, and I’m here reaping some of the benefits! He’s so lovely. He’s got a bit of a spook in him, but he wants to come out and do a good job—and do it with a little bit of sass; a little bit of Sprout flair.”

In the CCI2YJ*-S, Devon Tresan, riding as an individual for Area III, took the lead on a 24.4 with her own Zavallo, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Zavall VDL x Ava).

“He's a really, really lovely horse to ride on the flat,” she said. “So usually I just go in with anticipation of being a little better than I was last time and getting a little more from him, and he was just really great and happy and easy going today. I think my favorite part of the test was my harmony score from Peter Gray. I feel like if I'm going to get a 10, that's probably the best place that I would want to get it. It's really near and dear to my heart, because ‘Zia’ is really my best friend, and I feel like the partnership we've built together has just created the way that we can ride a dressage test together. I love that. And the harmony mark is so valuable, and I'm glad that they have it now as part of the test.”

Tresan’s been paired with the gelding for about four years. “I got him as somewhat of a young horse,” she said. “He was quite inexperienced, and he was a little bit wild, but he's really settled into himself in the past couple years, and he's just a great partner. And he's really an incredible event horse. Honestly, he's great in all three phases, and he could go into any arena and do any discipline. He's just a wonderful, wonderful partner that's amazing.”

Tresan’s enjoyed some team meetings this week where riders have discussed sports psychology.

When asked how she manages her expectations at a competition and keeps nerves at bay being in the lead, she said, “I usually set them quite low. I always just want to finish and have a good ride and come home safe. As I have been getting more competitive, I'm trying to hopefully keep my placing. But obviously, you never know what's going to happen tomorrow. And my coach actually just told me that pressure is a privilege, and you know, it's a better way to think of it as I leave the box tomorrow and put a little more pressure on myself, because I am thankful to be in the position. And it's really great to feel those nerves, because I have something to look forward to, hopefully.”

In the team competition, the combined team from Areas I and II are in the lead on a score of 92.5, while Canada is close behind on 96.4, and the team from Areas IV, V, and VI are on 101.2.

In the CCIYJ1*-S, Reese Dellangelo (Area II) has a slim lead on a score of 28.3 with Elizabeth Bales’ Carlson 119.

Dellangelo said she was a little surprised by her score, but thrilled. She trains with Susie Beale, mother of Amanda Beale Clement, who rode the now-15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Camarque 3 x Palma) to the Advanced level.

“It's awesome to have somebody who knows him so well and you has everything thought out for me,” she said.

This is Dellangelo’s first Young Rider experience. “It's awesome to be selected. I didn't think I would get here, and I owe it all to him, but it's a learning curve, you know? And there's a lot to learn,” she said.

Dellangelo is part of the leading one-star team from Area II, who are currently on 92.1 points. The combined team from Areas III and VIII are in silver-medal position on 93.8, and Area V is on 100.8.

Cross-country for the Young Rider Championship begins tomorrow at 10:18 a.m.

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