Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is excited to announce the 10th annual USEF Horsemastership Training Session, to be held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Fla., December 30, 2015 through January 2, 2016. The training session is designed to identify and develop the next generation of top U.S. Equestrian Team talent through instruction from experts in a variety of aspects of horsemastership. Past participants include members of recent U.S. teams, including Ali Wolff, who was on the Gold medal-winning U.S. team at CSIO4* Coapexpan in April, and Lucas Porter and Michael Hughes, who were members of the Gold medal-winning U.S. Junior and Young Rider teams at CSIO Wellington in February.
Although USEF is taking a sabbatical from teaching in 2016, his ideals and influence will continue to be present in the 2016 session. "We will miss George this year, however, it has provided an opportunity to give our top young riders access to experts who they might not interact with otherwise," said DiAnn Langer, USEF Show Jumping Developing Rider Chef d'Equipe. "We have developed an exciting schedule with fantastic clinicians and are thrilled to be able to continue this program, which has been so popular with the participants and auditors over the years."
In 2016, the training session will feature an abbreviated, intensive format with three days of mounted sessions led by internationally acclaimed U.S. athletes and daily instruction on all facets of horsemastership. On December 31, Christine Traurig, the U.S. Dressage Young Horse Coach and an Olympic Bronze medalist, will work with the riders on the flat with an emphasis on the suppleness and connection required for jumping. The riders will then apply these skills over fences with U.S. Show Jumping Olympic Gold medalists Beezie Madden and Laura Kraut. On January 1, Madden will work with participants over gymnastics exercises designed to prepare the horses and riders for the following day's courses. Kraut's session on January 2 will focus on Nations Cup-style jumping, including not only how to execute in the ring, but also the teamwork required for success.
The USEF thanks the many clinicians and sponsors who make this event possible and Equestrian Sport Productions who generously hosts the training session.
The following twelve athletes will be invited to participate:
• The Young Rider and Junior Individual Gold medalists at the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North
• The Individual Gold medalist at the 2015 Neue Schule/USEF National Junior Jumper Championships
• The winner of the 2015 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals - East
• The winner of the 2015 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals - West
• Two riders from the 2015 USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session
• Five riders chosen from Wild Card Applications
Athletes interested in Wild Card Applications should contact Casey Easley, USEF Show Jumping Director of High Performance Programs, at [email protected].
The public is welcome to audit all mounted sessions at no charge.