Scheffel Tops MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session

Midway, Ky.—Nov. 10, 2025—After attending her third MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, Finley Scheffel emerged as the top athlete among 16 standout participants after four intensive days of riding and stable management at Midway University in Midway, Kentucky, over November 6-9. 

"I’d consider myself a bit of a veteran at the National Training Session now," said Scheffel, of Paris, Kentucky. "It feels amazing to have finally reached the goal I set for myself.”

A longtime Emerging Athletes Program participant, Scheffel first joined the program in 2022, riding in a Regional Training Session. In 2023, she returned to a Regional Session and was selected to attend the National Training Session as a Stable Manager, gaining valuable hands-on experience in horse care, barn management, and leadership. In 2024, she was invited back as a rider, where she received under-saddle instruction from Olympic gold medalist Joe Fargis and further developed her horsemanship skills.

After getting a taste of competition at the National Training Session, Scheffel spent the following year refining her riding and horsemanship, returning in 2025 as a stronger, more confident competitor, showcasing her growth and dedication to becoming a well-rounded equestrian.

Representing USHJA Zone 5, Scheffel reflected on how the program has shaped her as a horsewoman.

"You can learn something new from every single clinician you walk out of the ring with,” Scheffel said. “EAP is a program that keeps giving. Every year, I find room for improvement and new lessons to take away. It’s also about more than just riding; it’s about who you are as a person. I’ve made friendships here that will last a lifetime. This year, we were all automatically friends, and that was so special.”

Both her experiences as a Stable Manager and as a rider have been deeply rewarding, offering her opportunities to build relationships, grow her skills, and continue learning from respected professionals.

"I’ve worked with Julie Winkel, Jeff Cook, and Joe Fargis, [through this program]" she continued on the connections and experiences made through the Emerging Athletes Program. "Every time I have been able to walk away with something new. I keep coming back because there’s always room for improvement, and I find that every single year, whether it’s with a different clinician, a different horse, or even my own horse, it’s just a program that keeps giving."

The title of EAP National Champion recognizes more than just strong riding. Riders are evaluated on horsemanship, teamwork, and stable management, qualities that reflect professionalism and compassion both in and out of the ring.

This year’s competition concluded with a six-rider work-off following the Nations Cup-style team event. Each finalist was assigned a new horse to navigate a shortened five-jump course featuring rollbacks and bending lines designed to test adaptability and skill under pressure. Scheffel’s consistency, attention to detail, and horsemanship earned her the top honor.

Currently a freshman at Midway University and a member of the Midway University Hunt Seat Team, Scheffel looks forward to starting her Amateur career while in college, with goals to expand her show record in the Hunters, venture into the Jumpers, gain experience overseas, and one day open her own training business.

"My next step is to stay consistent and keep improving in every aspect of my riding," she said. "I don’t know exactly what my path is yet, but I think if I keep a positive attitude and keep moving forward, my path will find me. As for the training grant money, I’d love to use it for something special, maybe to go overseas for an internship or something that could really develop my riding skills further."

Returning Lead Riding Clinician and Olympian Joe Fargis, Stable Manager Clinician Colleen Reed, and the EAP Committee recognized Scheffel’s growth, horsemanship, and tenacity, all qualities that ultimately earned her the title.

“The participants this week were all really good riders, all 16 of them,” said Fargis. “They started on horses that were completely new to them, and every single one of them got better and better with their horses as the week went on.”

“When it came to naming a winner, it wasn’t just about who jumped the best,” Fargis continued. “It’s about their overall horsemanship, their habits in the stable, how they treat their horses, and their knowledge. The winner isn’t defined by just riding ability; it’s everything combined. This year, that person was Finley. She had a great three days and she deserved it.”

Fargis also emphasized the importance of the program’s educational foundation.

“This is such a good educational experience,” he said. “Aside from the riding, I love the horsemanship part and teaching kids how to take care of their horses. We have great clinicians here, like Colleen Reed, who know exactly what they’re doing. Anything they can convey to these kids is so valuable.”

Scheffel was awarded an invitation to participate in a 2026 or 2027 USHJA Gold Star Clinic, a $3,000 grant toward advanced training with an approved trainer, a gift certificate from SmartEquine, a pair of Parlanti paddock boots, and a YETI Roadie cooler.

Reserve champion Brooke O'Malley, representing Zone 10, from Los Angeles, California, received an invitation to a 2026 or 2027 USHJA Gold Star Clinic, and a gift certificate from SmartEquine. 

In the modified Nations Cup competition, Team Pope consisting of Reese Dorsey (Parkton, Md.), Alyson Jones (Groveland, Fla.), Brooke O'Malley (Los Angeles, Calif.), Lauren Satola (Fulton, Md.), and Stable Manager Emmie Esplin (Harrisville, N.Y.) claimed the gold medal. 

Team Wireman with Simi Gibson (Denver, Colo.), Cristina Pinnow (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Abigail Ringuette (Farmington, Conn.), Finley Scheffel, and Stable Manager Gretel Demartin (West Point, Va.) earned a silver medal finish. 

Team Anthony earned bronze with Elliette Baker (Versailles, Ky.), Anna Huard (Hartland, Mich.), Molly McKeon (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), Jillian Puthoff (Spring Lake, Mich.), and Stable Manager Avery Houser (Raleigh, N.C.). 

Team Driscoll consisting of Caroline Barclay (Roswell, Ga.), Jocelynn Johnson (Falls Church, Mich.), Hunter Lewis (Denver, Colo.), Olivia McKinistry (Vernon, Conn.), and Stable Manager Lucy Mackowiak (Westerville, Ohio) claimed fourth. 

Educational sessions at the National Training Session included special presentations from

veterinarian Dr. Lori Bidwell, Liz Douglas, founder of MEND Equine Massage & Bodywork, and Dr. Jennifer Speisman, a licensed clinical psychologist as well as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Stable Management Clinician Reed also worked with participants throughout the week on their stable management skills, walking them through different potential scenarios that they may come across in the barn, equine injury management case studies, and best practices for the health and safety of the horses.

Demartin, Esplin, Houser, and Mackowiak, assisted riders as the week's stable managers. All four were invited to participate in a 2026 or 2027 USHJA Gold Star Clinic as a stable manager.

Esplin was awarded the Sunny Stevens Memorial Stable Manager Award in honor of Sunny’s longstanding dedication to horsemanship. She was selected by stable management clinician Reed and the EAP Committee in recognition of her meticulous attention to detail, dedication to maintaining the health and welfare of our horses and the concern for the safety of all displayed during the National Training Session. For her efforts, she will receive a unique two-week hands-on experience in the barn of 2011 EAP National Champion Jacob Pope, as well as a $1,000 grant to be used toward expenses associated with this experience and a gift certificate from SmartEquine. 

This year’s Best Turned Out Horse Award went to Discreet, ridden by Huard, and donated by Georgia Keogh. 

The Emerging Athletes Program Outstanding Horse Award is presented to the equine athlete who displayed the highest level of consistency, soundness, safety, and dependability throughout the 2025 EAP National Training Session. This year’s winner was Nightlife B, donated by Meredith Denton. Denton was a former USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals participant, and competed in the 2024 National Training Session, where she was awarded the Charles "Chuck" Keller Grant for Equestrian Excellence. 

Puthoff was awarded the Emerging Athletes Program Sportsmanship Award and was presented with a gift certificate from SmartEquine. This is presented to the rider who has exhibited integrity, supported his or her fellow competitors, showed commitment to the sport and the welfare of the horse, was a role model for his or her peers, and displayed generosity, fair play, and respect for others.

USHJA’s Zone 2 recognizes an athlete each year with the Jim Rice Award. Based on Long Island, Jim Rice was a leader and visionary in our sport. This award dedicated in his honor provides support to a Zone 2 rider attending the EAP National Training Session. This year’s winner of the Jim Rice Award was Esplin. 

Gibson was awarded the Charles "Chuck" Keller Grant for Equestrian Excellence. It was created to honor Chuck Keller's commitment to teaching and training riders and horses in the Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation disciplines and his dedication to instilling horsemanship and sportsmanship in his riders during his 45-year career as an owner, trainer, rider, and licensed official. She received $500 to be used to further her training in pursuit of equestrian excellence. 

The USHJA thanks title sponsor MZ Farms for supporting the Emerging Athletes Program and National Training Session; Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Parlanti, and Nutrena; Supporting Sponsors Essex Classics, Schneiders, SmartEquine, Taylor Harris Insurance Services, and YETI.

We would also like to thank all of those who generously donated horses for use during EAP National Training Session: Mackenzie Barnes, Meredith Denton, Terri Grothpietz, Chloe Johnson, Georgia Keogh, Punchestown Stable, Nori Scheffel, Elaine Schott, Deborah Snyder, and Alyssa Stevens. The Emerging Athletes Program is also made possible thanks to the USA Equestrian Trust. 

For more information about the Emerging Athletes Program visit ushja.org/EAP.

Photos: Rachel Milewski/USHJA