As the U25 competitors at VHC Eventing, presented by Capital Square, stepped up to the podium, I couldn’t help but think about what other podiums might be in their future. Would we one day see these same smiling faces at a press conference under the chandeliers of the media room at the Kentucky Horse Park? If that day comes to pass, those who attended VHC Eventing this fall can say that they’ve been watching these riders develop from the start.
Sponsored by Hyperion Stud and organized by Area II Young Rider Coordinator Chris Donovan, Show Organizer Joanie Morris, and President of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, Roxanne Booth, the U25 award recognizes competitors under the age of 25 as they grind their way to the top of the sport. When these young riders are one-day navigating the uncertainty of making a living as a professional eventer, they’ll have a close-knit community of peers to lean on, thanks to the U25 program.
The program assigned every rider under the age of 25 who was competing in an FEI division to a team. Ideally grouped by Area, there were also scramble teams as needed. Throughout the weekend these competitors were invited to attend select social events to build connections and a sense of community among the riders.
“I firmly believe they are the future of the sport, whether they go on to be on a Pan-American team or become future trainers,” Chris said. “Helping develop and build that camaraderie between them is so important, which is why we create U25 teams and encourage them to get to know each other and build a network to support them.”
The Virginia Horse Center has always been a hub of activity for some of the biggest professionals in Area II and beyond. Hawk-eyed fans will spot names like Phillip Dutton, Ema Klugman, Tim Bourke, and Sharon White listed among the scores. Up-and-coming riders can take advantage of this network of elite eventers thanks to the efforts of the U25 program.
“We have a lot of upper level riders who are here. These kids have an opportunity to go on to become grooms or working students, and they can make those connections while they’re here, right?” Chris said.
For Emeline Gilbert, the U25 competition added to an already exciting weekend. Emeline came in third overall in the CCI2*-S, thereby winning the division among U25 riders, with Albano (Arctic x Lucy May, by Lesotho), owned by Robert Meyerhoff. With dreams of becoming a professional, she worked for Bobby Meyerhoff for eight years and recently started working for Sharon White, who won the CCI2*-L division with Arden Augustus. Emeline also competed her own EWSZ Mozart (Magnum FFT x Ella Cinder, by Laiken) in the CCI3*-L division.
Emeline Gilbert and Albano. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott.
“I was lucky enough to have Albano finish third overall in the CCI2*-S, and so he was top of the U25. That was pretty special to have that bit of extra reward. And then my three-star horse, EWSZ Mozart– I was extremely happy with him. It was nice that he was able to place second in the U25,” Gilbert said. “I think the U25 groups create a bit of camaraderie with the other riders. One of my good friends, Audrey Ogan, was first in the CCI3*-S for the U25 division. So it’s really nice to see that come through for her as well.”
In both of her divisions, Emeline was competing against five-star eventers, including her new boss, Sharon White, as well as Tim Bourke, Valerie Pride, and Allison Springer. She says that the U25 program allows her to compare herself against her peers, instead of looking at the overall division.
“The U25 creates a bit of a separation from the big open FEI division that you’re in. So even if you don’t stack up well against the big group of professionals, there is the U25 which is comparing you more with your generation,” Emeline said. “So I think it’s nice to have the recognition on that side of things and see how you’re comparing that way. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you finish in the top 20 and, yeah, that’s good, but you’re not in the numbers as much because the FEI divisions can be so big and there’s so many professionals in them. I think it’s nice that they have the U25 to separate that a little bit and give you the extra boost of like, ‘Hey, you are doing a good job because you compare well with your age group.’ Plus, that’s going to be the next generation of professionals. So I think it definitely makes you more competitive that way, too.”
VHC Eventing wasn’t Emeline’s first introduction to the U25 program. She took part in the Bromont Rising Program in 2023. “I definitely think U25 has brought me some connections. At Bromont Rising, I got to meet Bettina Hoy and work with her,” Emeline said. ”I think that obviously creates a bit of connection there, and you can use them in the future. And it’s not just like reaching out to a professional that you’ve never met before, which can definitely be a little intimidating. I think it’s nice to have someone who’s laid eyes on you and your horses before. If you’re at a show, you can reach out to them, because they do know you’re riding a little bit. I think that’s always useful to kind of have those connections.”
This month marked Emeline’s first time taking part in the U25 program at the Virginia Horse Center. “I think the U25 offered there is definitely nice. Like I said, it’s just helpful to have a bit of recognition and competition within your age group. I think they do a really good job recognizing that younger group of talent,” Emeline said.
Riding her own Redfield Champion (Diarado x Calinka, by Contendro I), Katherine Maroko also placed third overall in the CCI2*-L division, winning the U25 CCI2*-L on a score of 35.6. Katherine splits her time between going to college and working as head groom for Hannah Sue Hollberg, who came to the event to cheer her on.
“I think that the U25 program is always really interesting to see at events, because I know that a lot of the coordinators always work really hard to have various events throughout the weekend where the different competitors are able to meet each other and create a sense of community,” Katherine said. “It’s all really exciting to be able to see other people more often that we don’t always get to see because we’re all spread out, and then have that sense of community when you win something with a team at the end. Throughout the event, I was able to get to meet some people that I haven’t really had the chance to talk to before. So that was a fun part of the weekend.”
As head groom for a five-star eventer, Katherine makes a lot of connections as she travels for various events with Hannah Sue. But she says that the U25 programs help take those connections to the next level. “With the U25 programs, we definitely interact with a lot of the same people. I’m able to make connections better and through the U25 I’m able to get to know people that usually I would only see in passing,” she said.
Katherine Maroko and Redfield Champion. Photo by Veronica Green-Gott.
While not to the same degree as compared to Areas in the middle of the country, Area II is relatively spread out. Unless young riders are in a program with a five-star eventer, they may not have the opportunity to build a community and make connections without the support of a program like U25. Katherine knows firsthand just how much of a difference programs like this one can make.
“All the work that Chris Donovan and everyone else puts into these types of programs to make sure that every time we have a bigger event in our area, we’re able to have all these socials to help create this community. I’ve seen so many close-knit groups of friends over the years that have been founded from these types of programs. I think it’s really wonderful the work that gets put into creating that community,” Katherine said.
Previously the sponsor of an award to the top-placed 6- or 7-year-old horse at VHC Eventing in May 2024, Hyperion Stud is once again supporting the future of eventing this November by sponsoring the U25 award. Vicky Castegren, founder of Hyperion Stud, knows how important it is to develop high caliber riders capable of partnering with the quality of horse that she breeds, as well as developing their own young horses.
“We are so proud to partner with VHC Eventing to present the U25 Award. It is very exciting to see how hard these young riders work to achieve their goals in the sport, and it’s so important to recognize that hard work with awards like this,” Vicky said. “These riders are the future of our sport and it’s wonderful to see these rising talents developing their horses. I am sure we will see them on the podium one day, representing the United States internationally, and we will know it started right here in Virginia!”
