FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lexington, KY----- March 11, 2015----- USHJA is pleased to announce the dates and locations for the 2015 Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Sessions, presented by  Dover Saddlery. Additionally, USHJA is now accepting applications from young riders to participate in a 2015 EAP Regional Training Session.

"The EAP offers a unique opportunity for young equestrians with a passion for horses to improve not only their riding skills but to learn more about horse care and horsemanship from some of the most accomplished clinicians and stable managers in the country," said Emerging Athletes Task Force Chair Sally Ike. "EAP riders are the future of our industry, and I look forward to watching that future take shape as riders progress through the Regional Training Sessions and succeed at the National Training Session this year."

Riders interested in participating in a 2015 EAP Regional Training Session may apply online at www.ushja.org/EAP. The application deadline for Early Summer training sessions is April 14, 2015. The application deadline for Mid-Summer training sessions is May 5, 2015, and the application deadline for Late Summer training sessions is May 26, 2015. In addition to completing the online application, riders must submit three letters of recommendation and complete the Level One Quiz of the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge by the application deadline.  Applicants with a Level One score of 80 percent or higher will be considered for participation in a Regional Training Session. 

Early Summer Regional Training Sessions:

• June 3-7, 2015, Virginia Horse Center (Lexington, VA)
• June 7-11, 2015, Georgia International Horse Park (Conyers, GA)
• June 14-18, 2015, Sonoma Valley Equestrian Center (Petaluma, CA)
• June 17-21, 2015, Frying Pan Farm Park (Herndon, VA)

Mid-Summer Regional Training Sessions:

• June 22-26, 2015, Great Southwest Equestrian Center (Katy, TX)
• July 1-5, 2015, Whip N Spur (Wilsonville, OR)
• July 13-17, 2015, Quail Run Horse Centre, Inc. (Elkhorn, NE)

Late Summer Regional Training Sessions:

• July 13-17, 2015, Ledges Sporting Horses (Roscoe, IL)
• July 26-30, 2015, The Jaeckle Centre (Thompson's Station, TN)
• August 11-15, 2015, Coker Farm (Bedford, NY)

The Emerging Athletes Program was created to provide opportunities for young riders to advance their education in their pursuit to become knowledgeable horsemen within the hunter/jumper community. Since the Program's inception in 2009, EAP National winners have gone on to accomplish numerous championships in the Hunter, Jumper and Equitation show rings including the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search East and the ASPCA Maclay Finals.

Riders accepted into the EAP begin by participating in a Regional Training Session. During the extensive five-day Regionals, riders have the opportunity to work with top riding clinicians and some of the country's leading stable managers. Riders are instructed on flatwork, gymnastics, related distances and course work, as well as an intensive stable-management curriculum that incorporated proper care and grooming, horsemanship skills and barn management.

Selection of the riders for the National Training Session is based on their riding and stable-management skills, written test results and potential shown during the Regionals. The date and location of the 2015 EAP National Training Session will be announced this summer.

The 2015 Emerging Athletes Program is supported in part by a generous grant from the United States Equestrian Federation. USHJA would like to thank Dover Saddlery for their continued support as presenting sponsor of the Emerging Athletes Program for the seventh continuous year. For more information on program specifications and application requirements, visit www.ushja.org/EAP. 

Media Contact:

Megan Lacy

mlacy@ushja.org