First Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Session of the Year Kicks Off in Ohio

Julie Winkel and Colleen Reed leading session at University of Findlay

Findlay, Ohio—June 3, 2019—The 2019 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program kicks off today with 23 athletes participating in the Regional Training Session at the University of Findlay. 

The session runs through June 7 and features clinicians Julie Winkel and Colleen Reed. The session also includes a 3-foot section, where riders will participate in all aspects of the session but at a lower fence height. 

The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association congratulates the following athletes who have been accepted to participate in the session: 

EAP participants: 

  • Mackenzie Barnes, Lincolnville, Maine
  • Elle Brady, Grand Rapids, Mich.
  • Aylen Ferguson, Carp, Ont., Canada
  • Rebecca Hopkins, Northville, Mich.
  • Dravin Kennedy, Saint Louis, Mo.
  • Amy Knox, Oxford, Ohio
  • Alivia Kohus, Union, Ky.
  • Emily Lacey, Lake Bluff, Ill.
  • Morrigan Mckinley, New Wilmington, Pa.
  • Lilli Power, Crestwood, Ky.
  • Jordan Renzi, Lewis Center, Ohio
  • Lindsey Russell, Perrysburg, Ohio
  • Alyssa Simin, Ramsey, N.J.
  • Tess Von Hemel, Piedmont, Okla.
  • Jenna Yamamoto, Lexington, Ky.

3’ Section participants: 

  • Celine Afshari, Naperville, Ill.
  • Kelsey Center, Farmington Hills, Mich.
  • Bridget Connors, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
  • Margaret Fitch, Birmingham, Mich.
  • Kayley Kruse, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
  • Elise Mannix, Waterloo, Ill.
  • Ruthie Ruhl, Mt. Pulaski, Ill.
  • Juliann Tetschlag, Plymouth, Wisc.

Sessions are held over five days with athletes participating in mounted flatwork, gymnastics exercises and coursework as well as intensive stable management lessons. Athletes also spend time auditing each other and hearing from guest speakers at the sessions. 

Auditing is available to the public free of charge for the riding portions at the session. 

There will be nine other Regional Training Sessions held across the country this year in California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Texas and Virginia. A full calendar of sessions with auditing information can be found here. 

Following the Regional Training Sessions, 16 of the Regional Training Session participants and a select number of stable managers will be invited to attend the National Training Session November 7-10 at University of Findlay. Riders participating in the 3' section are not eligible to participate in the National Training Session. 

The USHJA extends its gratitude to 2019 EAP Regional Training Session hosts Centenary University, Fox Lea Farm, Great Southwest Equestrian Center, HITS Balmoral Park, Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Mount Holyoke College, Sonoma Valley Stables, Tryon International Equestrian Center, University of Findlay and Virginia Horse Center.

Special thanks to the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund for their title sponsorship of the Emerging Athletes Program. The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund was founded by Lindsay Maxwell in 2016 as a means to formalize her commitment to charitable giving. The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund supports events, organizations and programs that align with Maxwell's philanthropic priorities and values including improving the lives of children with special needs, enabling access to educational opportunities and providing care, compassion and protection to animals.

The Emerging Athletes Program is also supported in part by a generous grant from US Equestrian, as well as individual donors through the USHJA Foundation. For more information, please visit www.ushja.org/EAP.