01 Jul 2025
Blog Permalink

2025 USEF Young Rider Championships

July 1, 2025

I have just gotten home from the 2025 USEF Young Rider Championships at the Maryland International where I was the Chef d’Équipe for our Area III teams. We sent six CIC2* riders and two CIC1* riders. The 2* riders formed a complete team of four, plus two additional individual riders. The 1* riders joined with an Area VIII rider to form a scramble team. Area III had a fantastic competition weekend! I was so proud of all of the athletes. Area III riders were a very cohesive group, and they fought for their best results all three days. We also had an amazing group of parents along as support entourage, including 5* rider Werner Geven, whose daughter Tessa was making her Young Rider debut at the 1* level. The final results were as follows. Go Area III!

 

 

 

CIC2* Team Gold
with Katelyn Smith, Ella Hubert, Juliana Cassar, and Levi Moreland

CIC2* Individual Placings
Katelyn Smith – Individual Bronze
Devon Tresan – 5th
Ella Hubert – 6th
Chloe Paddack – 8th
Juliana Cassar – 10th
Levi Moreland – 15th

CIC1* Team Bronze
with Tessa Gevin, Carolyn May, and Area VIII rider Sami Turner

CIC1* Individual Placings
Tessa Gevin – Individual Silver
Carolyn May – Individual Bronze

Prior to championships, Area III Young Rider Coordinators Joanne Morse and Jessica Robinette masterminded a fantastic adult and young rider camp at Stable View, in Aiken, SC, hosted by the Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association. At camp, I had the privilege of coaching alongside six other 5* riders, each of whom is a passionate educator and advocate for the sport. This camp, attended by many area young riders, depended friendships and set the foundation for a successful championships!

06 Nov 2024
Blog Permalink

Ashley’s Leadership Coaching with Horses

November 6, 2024

Ashley Johnson is a leadership coach who blends evidence-based coaching practices with the unique power of leadership training using equine-assisted learning. Through her innovative approach, clients engage with horses in carefully guided sessions that reveal deep insights into communication, behavior, and emotional intelligence. Combining her knowledge of psychology and leadership with decades of experience partnering with horse, her equine leadership coaching invites individuals to become more present and impactful in their lives and work.

Leadership coaching with horses meets the needs of the moment. Ashley and her horses inspire leaders to perform at their best through clarifying personal alignment, creating energy awareness, and activating engaged listening. Each session provides unique feedback and coaching opportunities.

Why do clients seek Ashley’s coaching? Because they’re looking for more than just strategies—they want to experience change. Working with Ashley and her horses offers a powerful, non-judgmental mirror that helps individuals become more intentional in their actions, more present in their interactions, and more adaptive in the face of change.

The outcomes speak for themselves: enhanced active listening, stronger team dynamics, improved problem-solving skills, and a sharpened sense of self-awareness and leadership presence. Whether you’re a corporate leader, educator, or team member, Ashley’s coaching helps unlock potential and create lasting change—all with the help of a horse.

Contact Ashley at alequestrian@gmail.com or 610.212.0294.

To learn more about her performance coaching, visit www.empowerperformancecoaching.com.

 

06 Jul 2024
Blog Permalink

2024 USEF Young Rider Championships

July 6, 2024

In 2024, the USEF Young Rider Championships moved to The Maryland International at Loch Moy farm in Adamstown, MD. This year, Area III sent a strong team of CIC1* riders, along with Chloe Paddack riding as an individual in the CIC2* division. Loch Moy offered excellent hospitality, including a Highland Games dinner, and Young Rider course walks with the course designers for both the show jumping and cross country.

As area coach, I attended and also took on the role of Chef d’Équipe. Area III had a fantastic weekend. Chloe, who was competing in her second Young Rider Championships, was sitting in second on the leaderboard after dressage, but unfortunately missed a jump on cross country which led to a Technical Elimination (TE). The 1* riders, all of whom were representing Area III for the first time, rode well all weekend and came home with a podium finish. Congratulations Area III Young Riders!

CIC1* Team Silver

with Catherine “Cakki” Purcell, Katelyn Smith, Ella Hubert, and Catherine “Daisy” Frank

CIC1* Individual Placings

Catherine “Cakki” Purcell – Gold

Katelyn Smith – Bronze

Ella Hubert – 11th

Catherine “Daisy” Frank – 13th

 

 

23 Oct 2023
Blog Permalink

Charlton Fame Has a Strong Performance in the Hagyard Midsouth CCI2*-L

October 23, 2023

Xpress Foto

Xpress Foto

Xpress Foto

Xpress Foto

Xpress Foto

Charlton Fame (Charlie) cumulated her first year at preliminary level with a strong performance in the Hagyard Midsouth CCI2*-L in Lexington, KY last week. With a consistent dressage test, she scored a 31 and sat in 6th place after the first phase. On cross country, she loved the turf and the atmosphere, but I used up valuable seconds in a few places to make sure she was balanced and attentive to the jumps. Those seconds meant time faults that ultimately kept us out of the ribbons. On the final day, she jumped a beautiful, clean show jumping round in the Rolex Stadium. As we look towards the future, I am excited to move her to the Intermediate/3* level in 2024!

To watch more, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5HuZWGhOG0.

Photos by Xpress Photo.