Mia Farley and Invictus. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
The application deadline is rapidly approaching for this year’s cycle of the American Horse Trials Foundation’s “Chasing the Gold” Grant program. Since Chasing the Gold was introduced in 2024, three athletes (Sharon White, Cosby Green and Mia Farley) have received grants to be used for high performance development on the pathway to representing the USA on the global championship stage – and winning medals. For its third cycle, funding has once more increased and for 2027 a total of four grants will be awarded.
Here’s the breakdown:
Option 1: European Travel Grant ($30,000)
Three riders will receive this award of $30,000 each, intended to cover associated costs for travel, competition, and training to any European destination with the goal of competing at a CCI4*-L or CCI5* competition in the 2027 calendar year. The minimum criteria include athlete/horse combinations who have completed a CCI4*-L with no cross country jumping penalties within the last two years.
Option 2: North American Travel Grant ($10,000)
One rider will be awarded a $10,000 grant to cover associated costs for long distance travel, competition, and training to any North American destination with the goal of competing at a CCI4*-L or CCI5* competition in the 2027 calendar year. The minimum criteria include athlete/horse combinations who have completed a CCI4*-S with no cross country jumping penalties within the last two years. The Foundation will also give priority to combinations that have not been previously selected for an Olympic or World Championship Team. This is a great option to tick if you’re West coast based and hoping to make a trip to Kentucky or an East coast 4*-L, or if you’re keen on hitting up an event like MARS Bromont in Canada, Rebecca Farm in Montana or Galway Downs in California, for example.
Here are the nuts and bolts for applying:
In the application we ask that the applicants put forth a clear road to their success by sharing their understanding of and commitment to the training, competition, and business plan they will pursue to achieve their success.
Athletes need to submit an application via email for consideration no later than November 22, 2026 to [email protected]. The chosen athletes will be announced at this year’s USEA Convention Awards Ceremony in Arlington, VA (December 11-13).
Interested parties can download the full application here.
The American Horse Trials Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation established to assist Three Day Event Riders and Organizers in raising tax deductible financial support for national and international competition.
