Participants Selected for 2026 MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session

Lexington, Ky.—Sept. 18, 2026—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is proud to announce the 16 athletes and four stable managers chosen to participate in the sixteenth annual MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session. This year’s session will take place November 5-8 at Midway University in Midway, Kentucky, and will be led by Olympic show jumper Joe Fargis alongside stable management expert Colleen Reed.

Throughout the summer, more than 160 athletes participated in 10 Regional Training Sessions held nationwide, receiving invaluable education over the course of five days with mounted and unmounted instruction. Based on the recommendations of the riding and stable management clinicians, 16 athletes and four stable managers are selected to attend the National Training Session each year.

Riders at the National Training Session will vie for the title of Champion and a $3,000 grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training based on their performance in the riding and stable management sessions throughout the week. Congratulations to the following athletes and stable managers on being selected to participate in this year's National Training Session:

Athletes

  • Ellie Aitchison of Zone 9
  • Caroline Barclay of Zone 4
  • Cora Clary of Zone 5
  • Peyton Cosentino of Zone 10
  • Clara D'Amico of Zone 1
  • Reese M. Dorsey of Zone 3
  • Leigh Goolsby of Zone 4
  • Jocelynn Johnson of Zone 3
  • Alyson Jones of Zone 4
  • Mars Kibbar of Zone 10
  • Addison Lindsey of Zone 4
  • Molly Mckeon of Zone 10
  • Hannah Nus of Zone 8
  • Danielle Roberts of Zone 7
  • Ebba Stankus of Zone 8
  • Finley Yaekel of Zone 2

Stable Managers

  • Kylie Cohen of Zone 5
  • Brooke Morfit of Zone 3
  • Sophia Reder of Zone 2
  • Reagan Stanley of Zone 7

Athletes will be closely observed and evaluated during all phases of the four-day National Training Session, including flatwork, gymnastics, related distances, and coursework; an intensive stable-management curriculum; and a written test that gauges the horsemanship knowledge each finalist has gained throughout the year. In addition to the competition, finalists will participate in joint educational seminars with USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, presented by East West Equine Sports Medicine, which is held concurrently.

One rider will be named the overall USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Champion and will receive a $3,000 grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training, as well as a variety of additional products and gifts from USHJA sponsors. The Reserve Champion will receive a $500 award from supporting sponsor Taylor, Harris Insurance Services. They are also supporting an Outstanding Horse Award and Lead Stable Manager Award to be determined by the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Committee.

The Charles "Chuck" Keller Grant for Equestrian Excellence will also be awarded to one  Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session participant for the purpose of furthering their equestrian training in pursuit of equestrian excellence. The USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Committee will select the recipient of this $500 grant, made possible by an anonymous donation, based on the care and handling of horses, treatment of horses while mounted, and level of personal interaction with clinicians, peers, and spectators.

The Sunny Stevens Stable Manager Award will award $1,000 to a stable manager participant for the purpose of further education. The award was created in Sunny's honor for her passion and dedication to stable management. The USHJA  Emerging Athletes Program Committee will select the recipient of this award based on knowledge, work ethic, ability to manage a barn and staff, people skills, and passion for stable management.

The USHJA extends special thanks to Title Sponsor MZ Farms for their continued support; Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Stridefull, and Parlanti; Supporting Sponsors SmartEquine, Essex Classics, Schneiders Saddlery, Taylor, Harris Insurance Services, and YETI. The Emerging Athletes Program is supported in part through US Equestrian and the USHJA Foundation.

For more information on the MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, visit ushja.org/EAP.

Photo: Rachel Milewski/USHJA