Meet The Riders on the 2013 Emerging Dressage Athletes' Program

The Emerging Dressage Athlete Program’s Winter Intensive Training is about to begin with the Robert Dover Intensive HorseMaster Program January 2-6, launching for the first year three months of training led by Lendon Gray, chairman of Dressage4Kids. What’s most exciting about this program will not only cover riding instruction, but will also cover rider fitness, cross training, nutrition, sports psychology, media training, horse care, riding theory as well as riding instruction from other top international riders. A few key people have made this program possible for the 15 lucky young riders. Renee Isler, a long time supporter of young riders, has spearheaded the fundraising portion of the program. Hampton Green Farm’s owner Kimberley Boyer has generously provided her farm. The Dressage Foundation is another key supporter providing scholarships to the participants. The 15 young riders chosen from many applicants are all very excited for this amazing opportunity. They have been selected not only for their talent as Dressage riders, but for their desire to learn, determination, and citizenship. While there is an expanded list participating in Dover's short program January 2-6, here is a glimpse on each of the riders who will be in Florida for the full winter season: Asia Ondaatje Rupert
Asia is a 12 year old pony rider from Bedford Corners, NY where she trains with Mica Mabrangana. This past summer Asia showed FEI Ponies at Gladstone where she and her Welsh-Arab “SSP Shazam” finished fifth. Asia is the First Level East Coast Pony Cup and the NEDA Seat Medal Semi-Finals Champion and she will compete in the Seat Medal Finals in 2013. When she is not studying or riding, Asia enjoys field hockey, squash, lacrosse and playing the saxophone. She is eager to learn about anything that involves horses (anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and stable and horse management), and she understands that riding and competing is not just about winning, it is also about learning, sportsmanship and camaraderie with fellow riders.

Katelyn Victoria Kok
Katelyn (19 years old) and her horse Morgan Enshoj are coming from New Hampshire where she trains and works for Pam Goodrich. Katelyn is a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire where she is a Dean’s List Zoology major with a possible minor in Equine Science. Family, friends and other dressage riders have made Katelyn’s enrollment in the EDAP possible, she adds “I feel so blessed that so many people rose up to support Mo and I in our career together! A sincere thank you to each one of them.” Katelyn and Mo where on the region 8 FEI Junior team for the 2011 NAJYRC where they brought home a Team Bronze and Fifth Individual, now there are embarking on their FEI Young Rider career. In 2010 Katelyn received her USDF Bronze Medal and was the USDF Region 8 Second level Champion on Sierra Mill’s Luciano. Katelyn is excited to share her experience in the EDAP through her blog and vlog (video blog)! To keep track of Mo and Katelyn’s experiences and adventures go to: KVDressage.com

Meghan Watt
Meghan is 15 years old that lives on a family farm in Saratoga Springs, NY with her two Andalusians, Morgan and Lusitano. She has just begun showing second level with the mare she plans on bringing to the EDAP Winter Intensive Training Program. Her mare is a 6 year old Lusitano mare named Bellanciaga. She is looking forward to improving their lateral movements, and canter. Apart from riding Meghan enjoys playing basketball, and playing the piano.

Eleni Econopouly
The 16 year old Eleni began her dressage career in 2008 and has quickly grown to love the sport receiving her USDF Bronze Medal and Silver Medal. She has ridden Siciliano 2 donated by Dressage4Kids Inc and Clair Glover’s mare Welt Lady to many victories including USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals placing Reserve, Nationals placing  10th and USDF Region 8 Champion at PSG. Eleni is taking Siciliano 2 with her to Florida; she adds “I am so excited and grateful for Siciliano 2 and I to start our journey to the next level.”

Grace Gregory
This Tennessee dressage rider is coming to the program with her 8 year old Hanoverian/Oldenburg mare named Latatiana. Grace loves to take photographs, hang out with my friends & coworkers, watch a good movie, and working at her jobs at Saddle up and Travelers Rest Farm owned by Tami Crawford. Grace adds, “this opportunity means the world to me.” She is excited to share her experiences in her blog: gracelatatiana.wordpress.com

Nicholas Hansen
Nicholas, 17 years old, is coming from his family farm in Pennsylvania where he is heavily involved with Pony Club and attained his H-A rating earlier this year. His has been primarily an event rider, finishing 2nd, 3rd, and 10th at the American Eventing Championships in 2009-2011. For the past 3 months, he have also been fortunate to lease Ritter Benno, a 12-year old Westphalian from the Dressage4Kids program, together they will plan to advance to third level or above. Nicholas is sponsored by Animals to Wear – a company that produces clothing and saddle pads with original artwork related to three disciplines of riding.  In addition, he is a representative of Top Rail Tack Shop.   

Hannah Corjulo
Hannah is a 16-year-old living in Kingston, NY with Nancy Rosen's horse Essex, a 22-year-old Westphalian. Corjulo, who has been training with Rosen at Frog Hollow Farm the past 5 years, is excited about the oportunity to continue to learn with the schoolmaster who has done so much for her. This winter she would really just like to learn as much as she can about dressage and everything related to the horse world. When not riding Hannah loves music, playing instruments and anything musical!

Brittany Stanley
Brittany is a Saint Louis native working currently working on her pre-veterinary course work at a university (maintaining a 4.0 GPA!) while riding and training her mare, a nine year old American-bred Swedish Warmblood named Lilly. During this program, she of course wants to improve her riding, but one of her highest priorities is to determine the best way to make a contribution to dressage in the United States. Saint Louis Dressage Society, Dr. Andria Cogswell of Cogswell Veterinary Chiropractic and Acupuncture, artist and photographer Jessie Franks, owner of Epique Equestrian, Kathy Yamaguchi, as well as the owners of The Tack Trunk in Saint Louis and A+ Nutritional Feeds support Brittany’s enrollment in the EDAP. Brittany states, “I could not be more thankful for their donations and support as well as the generosity I have been shown by countless private individuals.  I owe a special thank you to the Wagner family of Wally Woo Farms, especially Jana Wagner.” 

Jenny Salinger
Jenny, a 16 year old, and Leopold a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding will also be attending the EDAP’s Winter Intensive Training Program. For two years they have been working on solidifying their First Level Dressage as well as moving up the levels in Eventing in which they’re currently competing at Training. Jenny also loves spending time outdoors and working with graphic design! This winter they hope to deepen their knowledge of all aspects of horsemanship and are excited to do so.

Allyssia Bryant
Allyssia is 17 years old that lives on a little farm in Livermore Falls, Maine. Her partner will be her 8 year old Paint gelding Dancing up a TeeStorm or “Tee” for short. She has owned Tee for 4 years, but didn’t seriously start training until spring of 2012. In 2012 they showed at Introductory and Training level at the local dressage shows. During the program they are hoping to debut at First level and possibly Second level as well. Outside of riding Allyssia enjoys reading, running, working and being outdoors.

Alexandra Singh
Alexandra a 17 year old senior in high school and is from Slingerlands, NY. Her horse’s name is Charmander, Charmie for short; she purchased him 3 years ago from Legacy Farms. He is a 17.2h dark bay 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding out of Comeback II.   Together they have successfully shown first and second level and are schooling third level. When not riding Alexandra loves photography, baking, spending time with friends, and being outdoors. Their winter goals are to polish all of the movements needed to compete at the FEI Juniors test, with the hopes of qualifying for the NAJYRC this summer. Through the Winter Alexandra would also like to use this opportunity to begin building the foundations for upper level work, as to keep Charmie’s training progressing.

Molly Maloney
Molly, 20 years old, and her horse Fly Boy, part owned by trainer Wes Dunham, are coming from Dover Plains, NY. Molly is a nursing student and is in the process of transferring to another nursing program. Her passion for riding is fueled by that accomplished feeling showing gives you, even if a blue ribbon isn’t won, so much hard work was required to get down center line to obtain her masters in nursing. Betsy Tyler, Renee Isler, Beth Barritt, and the Wentz family among many others make her enrollment in the EDAP possible. She also cannot thank her parents enough along with her long time trainer Wes Dunham who she has worked for since 2004.

Alexa Derr
Alexa is an 18 year-old native of Reinholds, PA. Her dressage partner is a big-bodied 11 year-old Hanoverian chestnut named Just Livingston. This winter, Alexa hopes to become a well-rounded horsewoman, not just a more experienced rider. She hopes that the program will jump start her FEI Young Rider career, as well as aid her move up in the United States Pony Club National Certifications. She also is working towards all three USDF Rider Awards along with intention of becoming an official judge. When Alexa is not riding, she loves to hang with her friends at bonfires and to go country line dancing.

Sarah Roda
Sarah is bringing her 10 year old Arabian gelding, Tryst to the EDAP’s Winter Intensive Training Program. They started off as a hunter pleasure pair in the Arabian circuit. Once they were introduced to dressage everything just clicked, and they had finally found where they truly belong, Sarah is now in full time training with Christina Fiebeck of CF Dressage. When Sarah is not riding she fosters stray animals with her mother. Sarah’s goal from this winter is to strive for her best at all times and progress with her Arabian gelding.

Maureen Trundy
Maureen, a 17 year old from Maine will be participating with her horse Sir Lancelot. Outside of riding she likes to paint, play the violin, and read. This winter Maureen is excited to conquer flying changes. Maureen mentioned that she is very excited to spend three months with people who have the same love of dressage as her. In the future Maureen would like to become the best horseperson she can be and make the world a better place for whatever horses might pass her way.