Bromont Rising Program Comes to Ocala: Grants Offered for OJC International Three-Day Event

The Ocala Jockey Club Arch. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Good news for under-25 eventers! After the highly successful debut of the MARS Bromont Rising Program, which offered financial aid and training to eventers under the age of 25 competing at the MARS Equestrian Bromont Three-Day Event in June, it has been announced that the program will also be offered at the Ocala Jockey Club (OJC) International Three-Day Event this fall.

The program will once again offer a $3,000 grant to offset the costs of travel and competition for 10 under-25 riders competing in any of the divisions at the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event. Additionally, the recipients of the grant will also receive two days of training sessions at the beautiful Mardanza Farms.

“With the support of MARS Equestrian, we were able to put together this new program for younger riders who are not part of any grant or training program,” said FEI dressage judge and trainer, Peter Gray, who runs the program. “It was always our vision to expand the program to venues beyond Bromont – provided it worked.”

“Our experience in June was overwhelmingly positive,” Peter continued. “The results and feedback from the participants in the first Bromont Rising Program speak for themselves. Most of the participants had their personal best dressage scores at Bromont, and one of the participants, Brooke Massie, went on to win the Bromont CCI4*-S in her first time at the level. All participants were extremely grateful for the opportunity provided by the training and grant program.”

The training sessions prior to the start of the event will consist of mounted and unmounted instruction from leading coaches and clinicians, including Peter himself for dressage plus Sara Kozumplik Murphy and Brian Murphywho make their home for the winter at Mardanza Farms, for cross country and show jumping. Coaching at the event will also be available to the grant recipients.

“The MARS Bromont Rising Program is an exciting way to allow young riders an opportunity to ride at our event and develop their skills at an accelerated pace with excellent coaching”, said Pavla Nygaard, Ocala Jockey Club’s President.

Click here to download the application. They’re due by September 30th so get cracking, kids! The Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event will take place November 14-17, 2019 in Reddick, Florida. For more information about the event, visit their website here.