Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Adamstown, Md. – June 29th, 2025 – Unlike many sports, eventing is focused on individual competition, meaning there aren’t many opportunities for young equestrians to bond with teammates.
That’s exactly what makes competitions like the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships at Maryland International so special. Events like this teach young athletes about teamwork, empathy, and the importance of supporting others. Four days ago, many of these Young Riders had never met. By the Award Ceremony on Sunday, group hugs and high fives abounded and heartfelt cheers frequently rang through the air.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography. Maya Clarkson and Maks Mojo C
The weekend was especially meaningful for Maya Clarkson and her own Maks Mojo C, who had their comeback moment this weekend after winning the CCI3*YRC-S at the Maryland International on a score of 36.8. After undergoing some surgeries on his neck earlier this year, Clarkson and “Maks” took a break from the four-star level. Competing at The Maryland International was Maks biggest performance yet since surgery– and he exceeded all of Clarkson’s expectations.
“I’m just so thrilled for him,” Clarkson said.”It’s really the icing on the cake that he won the championship, I’m so happy that he feels so much better. He felt the best he ever has this weekend. He was amazing. He tried so hard for me, as he always does. I’m really just happy with him and how good he feels and looking forward to the future.”
It was a busy weekend for Clarkson, who had students to coach and client horses to ride, as well as her own competition to handle. Mentored and coached by five-star rider Lauren Nicholson, Clarkson credits Nicholson with helping her reach this point in her burgeoning career as a professional.
“Lauren’s amazing,” Clarkson said. “She’s done so much for me and Maks. She’s spent a lot of hours. He’s tricky. He’s not an easy horse every day, and there are days that I have a really hard time, and sometimes I’ll call her and say, ‘I need help.’”
Maya Clarkson and Maks Mojo C. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
This is Clarkson’s first time riding in the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship. Due to a limited number of young riders competing at the three-star level over the weekend, Clarkson did not ride as part of an official team. However, she said that she still felt supported by the other riders in Area II.
“It was super fun to be a part of the team,” Clarkson said. “Area II does such a great job, and all of the girls are amazing. We have so many people. In the vet box yesterday, I think there were 10 people around us. It was pretty special to have that many people there to support you.”
Kelsey Seidel finished in second in the division riding Lexi Scovil’s Chico’s Man VDF Z (Chico’s Boy x Chardonnay Z, by Caretano Z) with a score of 46.8. Luciana Hackett placed third with her own As Good As Cash (Cash and Carry x Almoretta, by Almoretto) with a score of 60.2.
Left to Right: Katelyn Smith, Kate Bell, Lyman Ordway. Below: Carolyn Mackintosh. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Kate Bell and her own FE Velvet Black (Vagabond de la Pomme x Cleo, by Cantoblanco) were crowned champions in the CCI2*YRC-S, finishing with a score of 33.4. Despite being nervous going into the ring, Bell pulled off a double clear round to hold onto her lead.
“It was really good,” Bell said. “I was obviously very nervous, and I feel like Axel gave me his all out there. He really jumped well, and there was even one where I kind of gave him a bad distance and he really got me out and jumped super.”
Bell is part of the Areas 4/5/8 scramble team, which worked closely with Olympian Karen O’Connor. According to Bell, O’Connor was instrumental in her win. “I walked the course maybe four times, just making sure I didn’t forget anything,” Bell said. “I really listened to my coach Karen O’Connor and tried to ride exactly how she told me and tried to not let the nerves faze me too much.”
O’Connor has worked with Bell previously at clinics and on trips to Florida. “Working with Karen has been really, really good,” Bell said. “I’ve done a few clinics with her and worked with her in Florida, and so she already knows us a little bit, but it was really good for her to get to know us more. And she’s been so supportive, and all of her knowledge is so great, so it was awesome.”
Owned by the rider, “Axel” is an 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding that Bell has developed herself. The pair did their first FEI together just last spring. “I’ve had him for two years,” she said. “I’ve kind of produced him myself. I got him when he was five, and he’s such a good mind, and he’s so good. And he comes out here and proves himself like this, and I’m so proud of him and myself.”
Lyman Ordway may have started the weekend in 12th place with Winnett Ordway’s Exces de Folie (Canabis Z x Darcy de Coraimont, by Orlando), but she climbed up the ranks to finish in second place with a score of 35.7. Katelyn Smith and her own HSH Henry take the final third place on the podium in the CCI2*YRC-S with a score of 38.4.
Charlotte Schaef and Tinraher Diamond. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
The CCI1*YRC-S was arguably the most competitive division in the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships at Maryland International. Going into the show jumping phase, none of the leaders had a rail in hand with only fractions of a point separating the top three. Despite the heat, Charlotte Schaef laid down a double clear show jumping round to secure the title of champion with her own Tinraher Diamond (Jack of Diamonds x Lucky Mermaid, by Prospect Pride). The pair finished the weekend with a final score of 31.6.
“I was a little nervous,” Schaef said. “It was only like 0.3 between first and second, so it was a little nerve-racking. But April, which is what we call her in the barn, she’s just so perfect. I feel like we’re just in sync, and so I was really happy with her.”
In order to conquer her nerves, Schaef says she takes advantage of breathing techniques and focuses on her partner. “I do box breathing,” Schaef said. “And I just love on my horse. I tell her, ‘Oh, it’s just another schooling round,’ to take the pressure off of it.”
After an influential show jumping phase that really shook up the leaderboard, Tessa Geven moved up from fifth to finish in second place with her own Ameristan on a score of 31.6. A rail at fence 6B bumped Carolyn May from second place. Aboard Patricia Luttgen’s Sky Moon (Sixtus 33 x Sky Lady, by Cadeau), May finished in third place with a score of 34.8.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Just as with the individual riders, the show jumping phase was highly influential for the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship teams. In the CCI1*YRC-S, the Area V team came home with the win and a score of 106.3. Team members include Charlotte Schaef, Olivia Pratt, Eleanor McClain, and Emily Griffith.
It’s rare for equestrians to get to compete in a team setting. According to Pratt, the girls discovered a newfound appreciation for the support and camaraderie that teams can bring to the sport. “The biggest lesson I learned this week was to never give up and always support your team, no matter what happens,” she said. “I’m most grateful to be here with my team, and it means the world to me for Area V to win.”
“I definitely learned about teamwork,” Griffith continued. “It was my first team experience, and even though I didn’t have the best weekend, I’m just very thankful that my team was there to support me. And to come back out here and win the team gold means a lot for Area V— that our team is back and super ready.”
After their victory gallop, Area V displayed excellent sportsmanship, offering each other high fives, hugs, and helping hands. The team came together to gift both Karen O’Connor and Stephanie Reimer with bouquets of flowers.
“Every experience that we have together not only wins but also brings us closer together as people,” McClain said. “And I’m just so grateful that I got to be with Area V.”
Area V was followed in standings by Area II with a score of 254.2. In third place was the scramble team from Areas III and VIII with a score of 1066.4.
Left to Right: Ella Hubert, Katelyn Smith, Juliana Cassar, Samuel Moreland. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
In the CCI2*YRC-S division, the Area III team, made up of Katelyn Smith, Ella Hubert, Juliana Cassar, and Samuel Moreland, brought home blue ribbons with a score of 138.9. Unlike some of the other teams, the Area III team, led by Chef d’Equipe Ashley Johnson, knew each other prior to the Young Rider Championship.
“Coming from just texting each other and talking about, ‘Oh, you did so well this last year,’ to finally being able to hang out with each other in person— it’s really special,” Cassar said.
The team dealt with the added pressure of going into show jumping already in first place with the challenge of holding onto their lead.
“I think there is always some sort of pressure to do well for the team, and going into a big ring, knowing that you’re in first definitely plays a role in that, but to conquer that pressure and do well for everyone is a great feeling,” Cassar said.
“It felt great,” Hubert added. “The course rode so smoothly, and it’s just such a pleasure to represent such a great Area.”
Winning as a team was a different experience for the riders, who are used to riding as an individual. While each had individual goals and hopes for the weekend– overall third place winner Katelyn Smith said simply, “It’s all about team effort. No one can do it alone.”
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
With the final award ceremony in the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship, the 2025 Maryland International has officially concluded. Loch Moy Farm would like to thank all of the sponsors of the Maryland International, big and small. Such a great event would not have been possible without the help of the countless volunteers who braved the heat to judge cross country fences, manage in-gates, run scores, and more. To the officials, course designers and builders– Loch Moy Farm celebrates their hard work behind the scenes to create a safe and welcoming event for all. The farm is proud to be the host for the Young Rider Championships through 2027 and looks forward to watching all of the competitors grow over the next two years.
Next up on the event schedule– the Young Event Horse Qualifier on July 11th, followed by the USEA Maryland Horse Trials #2 on the 12th and 13th.
