PRO JUNIORS AT THE PRELIM TO PRO CIC* TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP. PHOTO COURTESY OF PRO.
The Professional Riders Organization has a slew of programs to guide and assist the hungry young professional, but they also work hard to make sure the pipeline of young professionals stays chock-full. The “Prelim to PRO Team Series” presented by Triple Crown Nutrition is one such program which is designed to bridge the gap between succeeding at the Preliminary level and making the leap to the one-stars – a huge step in any career.
The series selected nine eligible PRO Junior riders and split them into teams of three to compete for a series team title and an individual title. The riders get specialized coaching, educational opportunities, and some serious goals to work toward throughout the season with their teammates before the championship team event.
“Prelim to PRO has been such a wonderful experience from beginning to end,” Carspecken said. “The program provides everything that a young rider would need to know about heading into a future professional career. From the team experience, educational lectures and mentorship, and the amazing prizes we all received from the wonderful team sponsors, Prelim to PRO will be a top organization for up and coming riders.”
HALEY CARSPECKEN WON A FULL KIT OF TACK FROM WORLD EQUESTRIAN BRANDS, INCLUDING A BRAND NEW AMERIGO SADDLE. PHOTO COURTESY OF PRO.
Arielle Aharoni, Haley Carspecken and Campbell Jourdian of Team Furlong’s Healthy Horse were the winners of the Team Championship this year held at the Plantation Field International. Haley was also the individual winner aboard her mount, True Grace.
For taking the top title, Haley claimed a truckload of swag, including a full tack kit from World Equestrian Brands LLC which includes an Amerigo Saddle, girth and leathers, Vespucci Bridle with reins and breastplate, an EA Mattes Sheepskin half pad, Equilibrium Airlite Cross-Country Boots and Stretch & Flex Wraps. She’s also been asked to be a Brand Ambassador for the company.
EMILY LAPOLLA, ALLIE KNOWLES, PAIGE CIANCIULLI AND KARRI BELLAMY WALK THE COURSE AT PLANTATION FIELD. PHOTO COURTESY OF PRO.
These relationships with brands and existing pro riders is definitely the prime benefit for many of the riders competing in the challenge.
“Having a professional, such as Sharon White, walk the CIC1* cross country course with the B.W. Furlongs Healthy Horse team was a big help to the three teammates,” Haley said. “Getting pointers from someone other than your everyday coach can open your eyes to see new things that maybe you and your coach didn’t think of, and that is why I love this program so much. It gave me new learning experiences from talking to representatives of big equine companies to being interviewed after our rides, to meeting professional riders, it truly gave me a feel for the big time leagues.”
How Do I Sign Up?
If you’re interested in getting involved with the Junior PRO contingency and competing in the series, here’s what you need to know:
1. To compete in the series, you must be enrolled in the Junior PRO Membership Program [Link to Memberships]
2. To qualify for the Team CIC Championship, riders must get a qualifying score at at least one pre-designated event (2016’s events were Carolina International in March, Surefire Farms HT in June, Millbrook HT in August – Next year’s may include more or different locations.)
3. A rider must have three Nationally Qualifying Results at Prelim with no more than 50 penalty points in Dressage, no cross country jump penalties with no more than 36 time faults, and 16 or less jump faults in show jumping.
4. Riders can only use one nominated horse in the division as their qualifying horse to be eligible for the championships.
If you can meet those criteria, you’ll be eligible for a pretty once-in-a-lifetime experience!
You can read more about the competitors and winners at this year’s championships and find out more about the Junior PRO membership and benefits by visiting their website. [Professional Riders Organization – Prelim to PRO Team Series: Young Riders Improve Through Education and Community]
Individual Placings for 2016 Triple Crown Feed Prelim to PRO Team Series:
1st- Haley Carspecken
2nd- Tayler Stewart
3rd- Arielle Aharoni
4th- Savannah Fulton
5th- Olivia Dutton
6th- Campbell Jourdian
Team Placings:
1st Place: Team Furlong’s Healthy Horse- Score: 85.2
Haley Carspecken & True Grace
Arielle Aharoni & Dutch Times
Campbell Jourdian & Modern Man
2nd Place: Team World Equestrian Brands- Score- 99.2
Tayler Stewart & Ideal Contini
Savannah Fulton & Brave New World
Mikaela Kantorowski & Ringfort Swan Song
3rd Place:
Team SSG- No Score
Olivia Dutton & Santa’s Playboy
Paige Cianculli & Dark N Handsome
Emily LaPolla & Pioneer Partner
