Julie Welles Taking 2005 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search–East Title

Seamless Example of Catch Riding

The talent search championship turned out to be a perfect example of how catch riding develops a rider’s ability to handle a variety of horses under pressure.

“Julie and I were really excited we had horses that we had ridden more than once in our life,” said Schaub, who has been with Frank and Stacia Madden for five years. While Schaub had been on nine different horses so far this year, the high school junior was loaned Orion by owner Brianne Goutal, who was coached to last year’s talent search tricolor by the Maddens. The New York City girl did not defend her title because she is no longer eligible to contend in the event.

Welles, the reserve champion of last year’s Maclay finals, was up on Lando, a gelding owned by Gabby Slome. When Slome aged out of the under-18 ranks, she left the gelding with her trainer, Missy Clark, who coaches Welles at shows. During her tour of the Florida circuit last winter, Welles rode a number of different horses before pairing up with Lando in April. She also hand several mounts during the summer when she gave Lando time off to rest for the autumn finals.