Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund Becomes Title Sponsor of USHJA Emerging Athletes Program 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lexington, Ky. – Jan. 25, 2018 – The United States Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund as the title sponsor of the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program from 2018 to 2020. Applications for the program, which raised the participation age limit to 25 this year, are set to open Friday, Jan. 26, 2018.

"We are delighted to have the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund as the title sponsor of this incredible program, especially now that it has been expanded to include the 25 and under age group" said Kevin Price, USHJA executive director. "We extend special thanks to Lindsay and her team for valuing education in our sport through the Emerging Athletes Program."

The USHJA Emerging Athletes Program was created for young riders to gain riding and horsemanship knowledge in their pursuit to become informed and experienced horsemen and women within the hunter/jumper community. Since the Program's inception in 2009, EAP athletes have gone on to accomplish numerous championships in the Hunter, Jumper and Equitation show rings including the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search East and West, the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, US Hunter Seat Medal Finals as well as the ASPCA Maclay Finals. 

Riders accepted into the EAP begin by participating in an EAP Regional Training Session. During the extensive five-day Regional Training Sessions, riders have the opportunity to work with top riding clinicians and some of the country's leading stable managers, where instruction focuses on flatwork, gymnastics, related distances and course work, as well as an intensive stable-management curriculum that incorporates proper care and grooming, horsemanship skills, and barn management. Riders provide their own horses for the Regional Training Session and are expected to provide all necessary care themselves. Horses and riders must be comfortable completing jumper-style courses that are set between 1.10m and 1.35m and include a liverpool to be eligible.

Once the Regional Training Sessions conclude, 16 riders and a select number of stable managers will be invited to attend the National Training Session. Selection of the riders and stable managers for the National Training Session is based on their riding and stable-management skills, written test results and potential shown during their Regional Training Session.

"The Emerging Athletes Program is an incredible opportunity for our sport's rising stars. I am very proud to partner with the USHJA on this important initiative, and, most of all, thrilled to support the next generation of equestrians as they work to continually advance compassionate standards of excellence and care. The knowledge and experience gained by EAP participants will benefit our community for decades to come," said Lindsay Maxwell, founder of the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund.

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 2018 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program is supported in part by a generous grant from the United States Equestrian Federation, as well as individual donors through the USHJA Foundation. For more information on the program, visit  www.ushja.org/EAP. 

Media Contact:
Megan Lacy
mlacy@ushja.org
(859) 225-6723