Classic Eventing Nation

As Tokyo Re-enters State of Emergency, Olympics will Continue with No Spectators

By on Jul 8, 2021 11:16 am -

Embed from Getty Images

Although Tokyo 2020 organizing officials and Japanese authorities had previously expressed confidence that domestic spectators would be able to enjoy the upcoming Olympics at half venue capacity, that decision has now been reversed as Tokyo enters another declared state of emergency. This declaration will run from July 12 through August 22 and comes as coronavirus cases have seen another recent rise.

Latest Covid case data from JHU CSSE COVID-19 Data.

“Taking into consideration the effect of coronavirus variants and not to let the infections spread again to the rest of the nation, we need to strengthen our countermeasures,” Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

At this time, the uptick in cases and the new state of emergency has not affected the forward trajectory of the Games; indeed, athletes are already beginning to arrive in the country, with staff, media and other personnel arriving even earlier to begin their pre-competition quarantine. The U.S. eventing horses departed from USET headquarters in Gladstone, Nj. today bound for JFK airport to fly to Liege airport in Belgium ahead of the team’s pre-Olympic quarantine and training camp in Aachen, Germany. The team will then fly to Tokyo on July 20, where eventing competition begins on July 30.

As for the athletes and other Games stakeholders, including media members, the Tokyo organizing committee has released detailed Playbooks for each group with logistical steps that must be taken to reduce contact, conduct contact tracing and regular Covid testing, and otherwise be able to perform duties in as safe a manner as possible.

We’ll continue to keep you abreast of any changes coming out of Tokyo as we navigate the ever-changing circumstances.

Need an Olympic Fix? We Found the Rio 2016 Cross Country Replay

By on Jul 8, 2021 11:00 am -

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice over the final fence. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It’s officially full Olympic fever mode over here at EN and to get our fix we went digging for some replays to rehash. We hit the gold mine today as we’ve found the replay of the cross country portion from the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – all five hours of it!

We can’t embed the video here, but the full cross country replay is available for streaming at no cost at this link.

Want to relive the Rio Olympics through our updates? Use this hub to take a walk down memory lane! And don’t forget to stay tuned right here on EN for much more to come from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. You can sign up to receive our Olympic Digest email each Monday and then daily beginning July 28 here.

Thursday News & Notes Presented by Stable View

By on Jul 8, 2021 12:03 am -

Deniro Z made light work of the cross country at the Mandatory Outing at Great Meadow. Photo by Kate Samuels.

Obviously the biggest news of the week for the eventing world is the last-minute switcharoo of the team bound for Tokyo, with the withdrawal of Deniro Z. All of us at EN want to send our hugs to Liz Halliday-Sharp, as we can’t imagine the heartbreak she’s feeling, and the disappointment of getting so so close to a lifetime goal. However, a rider like Liz with a string of horses like she’s got will definitely be back on Team USA very soon, and we look forward to that day very much.

U.S. Weekend Preview

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, Vt.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, Md.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, Co.): [Omnibus] [Ride Times]

Major International Events

Barbury International (Wiltshire, United Kingdom): [Event Hub]

News From Around the Globe:

Any good horseman will tell you, management and simple decisions under saddle are your best weapons against injury. From employing cross-training over varied terrain, to properly managing your warm up and cool down, equine and human physiotherapist Sasha Chelin knows how to keep horses sound. They’re also no guarantee of soundness, but are good measures to put in place for better horse management and to minimise your risk of an unnecessary muscle or soft tissue pull, tear, or strain. [3 Tips for Injury Prevention in Horses]

Gary Snyder has been involved with horses for about 50 years, and has spent many of those volunteering at USEA events. Over the years, Snyder has done several different volunteer positions, but startbox is definitely his favorite. “I’ve been startbox, I’ve scribed, I like sit-down jobs because my feet are old, and I’ve been steward,” commented Snyder. “My goal in startbox is to give everyone a blue ribbon. What they do with that after they leave my start box is up to them. The nice thing about the start box is that your life is easy if you get a good steward. Also, being in startbox allows you to meet everybody.” [VIP Volunteer Gary Snyder]

Breathing exercises can really help in stabilizing your core and strengthening your position. But we hardly think about breath when we’re riding. Meanwhile, the horse is continuously moving forward, and it is important for the rider to keep moving the chest and shoulders forward together with the horse’s movement. The horse moves the rider’s pelvis forward, and the rider needs to balance the upper body into this forward motion. Get some breathing tips here to improve your riding at the core. [Breathing Techniques for Stability and Suppleness]

Best of Blogs: You Don’t Have to Dream Big

Olympic Beat:

We’re eagerly awaiting the finalized entry list for Tokyo, nominations for which were due to each country’s respective Olympic committee and the FEI earlier this week. We’ll update you with a final and complete list as soon as it becomes available! In the meantime, don’t forget to sign up for EN’s Olympic Digest email, which is sent each Monday and will begin daily editions on July 28.

Video: 

#WaybackWednesday Video from Kentucky Performance Products: The Trajectory of Toledo de Kerser

By on Jul 7, 2021 5:49 pm -

There’s nothing quite like a promising, slightly gangly, earnest but relatively uneducated young horse, is there? Their names aren’t yet known by every eventing fan in the world; their potential is simply tied up in hopes and dreams, and every day is a new adventure. That’s one of the reasons we love heading to the Young Horse World Championships at Le Lion d’Angers in France every October: it gives us a chance to enjoy the simple stuff and admire the raw qualities these exciting youngsters have to offer. (And, of course, there’s nothing more gratifying than falling in love with a six- or seven-year-old entrant and then watching them become the Next Big Thing.)

Today’s video takes us all the way back to France in 2014, when a sweet bay Selle Français by Diamant de Semilly took second place in the Seven-Year-Old World Championship with Great Britain’s Tom McEwen. That horse was Toledo de Kerser, who heads to his first Olympics this year after an extraordinary few years that have included a first CCI5* win at Pau in 2018, a team gold medal at the 2018 World Equestrian Games, and innumerable plaudits at the top level. They grow up so fast, don’t they?

Arena Building 101, Part 3: Finding Your Footing, Presented by FutureTrack

By on Jul 7, 2021 4:00 pm -

We’re pleased to present a six-part column all about arena building and maintenance, presented in partnership with FutureTrack. In part one of the series, you can find an overview of factors to consider when deciding to build. In part two, learn about the importance of a solid foundation. Now in part three, we get into the topic of footing. To learn more about FutureTrack, visit futuretrackarenas.com.

Photo by Leslie Threlkeld

Q: What are some considerations to factor in when deciding on footing for your new arena?

So you’ve gotten to the mid-point of your arena construction project. Congratulations! You’ve now sussed out the location and foundation of your arena, now it’s time to pinpoint the footing you’ll lay on top of that beautiful new riding arena. Building a riding arena at your home or facility is a big project, but when done correctly the investment can pay off in more ways than one.

Footing is, of course, a huge piece of the arena building puzzle. With so many options now available, it’s a competitive market, making for a tough decision for even the most savvy property owner. Before deciding on the exact brand or type of footing, though, there are some factors to consider.

Consider Your Environment

Living in the dry dust in southern California and living in the humid and damp South are two completely different experiences, and this should play a role in your decision on arena footing. The amount of moisture your arena will see – from rainfall or other precipitation, humidity and other sources – will dictate whether or not you need a footing with more natural moisture retention or quicker evaporation properties.

Of course, mixing in fibers such as those found in FutureTrack’s proprietary blend, can be a strong option for many moisture scenarios. Fibers, when mixed with materials such as sand, can create a stronger base of footing that alleviates common issues with standalone footing (sand can cause tripping, wood chips can cause slipping, etc.).

What’s Your Discipline?

It’s commonly known that different disciplines prefer different types of footing. I once boarded at a barn that had once played host to reining and cutting horses, and the footing was the deepest I think I’ve ever seen. While this may have played well to those disciplines, it was difficult to feel ok jumping on such soft, deep surfaces.

Barns that plan to entice multiple disciplines deal with a unique challenge in terms of footing. A footing that has a good consistency can cater to a variety of disciplines without sacrificing footing integrity.

For jumping horses, a supportive footing base is important to both help give the horse an extra “oomph” over the fences (case in point, 2021 Land Rover Kentucky CCI5* winner Oliver Townend said that Ballaghmor Class, who had never jumped a CCI5* round on footing before, was jumping out of his skin on the groomed surface of Rolex Stadium) as well as to prevent soft-tissue injuries often hurried along by unstable or too-deep footing.

How Will You Maintain Your Arena?

Each type of footing also comes with its own unique variables when it comes to maintenance. Depending on the size of your operation, your budget and manpower, and the equipment you have available, maintaining an arena can require some logistical planning. Selecting a footing that has lower likelihood of clumping or holding in spots – so, basically, staying away from straight dirt or sand – can cut down on maintenance, though it’s still important to properly maintain the arena through watering and dragging.

Keeping an arena in top shape will require work no matter which way you flip the coin, but life can certainly be made much easier by selecting the footing that will last, that works for your area’s weather patterns and encourages horses to put their best hoof forward.

Of course, you can spend your last dime on the most expensive footing, but without a proper base and foundation you may as well throw the money straight into the garbage. Take your time and consult with professionals such as those at FutureTrack Footing when it comes time to make these decisions – they just may save you a lot of headaches down the road.

Coming next in this six-part series on arena building, what do you do when you’ve made a mistake somewhere along the way?

Did you know that FutureTrack Footing offers free estimates and full arena construction services in addition to high-quality fiber footing? Click here to learn more and request your quote.

Kentucky Performance Products Wants to Hear From You! (And They’re Giving Away a Cool Prize, Too)

By on Jul 7, 2021 1:00 pm -

We’re big fans of Kentucky Performance Products here at EN, and this month brings a great opportunity to snag some KPP swag and a hefty discount on product with The Horse That Matters To You Contest.

All you need to do is fill out this brief survey to provide your feedback on Kentucky Performance Products, and you’ll be entered to win one of multiple prizes. Each winner will receive:

  • 20% off and free shipping for one year on one Kentucky Performance Products supplement of your choice (Note: This does not include Equi-Jewel®)
  • A KPP box of prizes, a custom leather halter, and a KPP Centaur® Turbo-Dry™ Sheet.

The winners will be announced on Friday, July 30 on the Horses In the Morning radio show.

Ready to enter? Click the banner below to get started!

US Equestrian Announces Eventing Substitution for Tokyo 2020

By on Jul 7, 2021 11:28 am -

Graphic via US Equestrian.

US Equestrian has announced a substitution to the U.S. Eventing Olympic Team ahead of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Deniro Z, a 13-year-old KPWN gelding ridden by Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (Lexington, Ky.) and owned by Ocala Horse Properties, has been withdrawn from the team and will be replaced by Doug Payne (Aiken, S.C.) and Vandiver, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Debi Crowley, Doug Payne, and Jessica Payne.

Following pre-travel horse evaluations, veterinary concerns prompted additional diagnostic testing of Deniro Z prior to the team’s departure to Europe for Pre-Export Quarantine. Following a thorough review of the testing results, it was determined it is in the best interest of the horse to be withdrawn from the team after confirming he has sustained an injury. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Tamra Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) and Mai Baum, a 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell will be moved into the traveling reserve position.

Will Faudree (Southern Pines, N.C.) and Mama’s Magic Way, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables will become the first alternates, and Will Coleman (Gordonsville, Va.) and Off The Record, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate, will now travel to Pre-Export Quarantine in Aachen, Germany as the second alternate combination.

Further information regarding the U.S. Eventing Olympic Team selection process can be found on USEF.org. All nominations to the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team are subject to approval by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

The New Olympic Format, Part 1: Changes for Tokyo 2020

By on Jul 7, 2021 9:15 am -

This year at the postponed 2020 Olympic Games, we’ll see some major format changes at play on the international stage. What lies in store, and what does it mean for our sport? Lynne Kaye discusses the topic in a two-part series that was originally published on EN in 2018.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Since the FEI released the new competition format for the 2020 Olympics, I pulled it up to see what the competition will look like — here’s a link to the update regulations. In a nutshell, the FEI’s most important changes are that each nation’s team will have three riders and teams may substitute a reserve horse and rider combination for a team combination mid-competition. In addition, dressage tests will be shorter and all 65 riders will complete dressage in one day. To view the new Olympic Games eventing dressage test, click here – and to see videos of the test, click here.

A side-by-side comparison of former vs. new Olympic formats:

The FEI developed the new competition format to keep equestrian sport in the Olympics. According to FEI President Ingmar De Vos, continuing to be an Olympic sport requires more nations participating in the equestrian competitions, making the sport easier for a casual audience to understand, attracting a younger and larger audience, and making the sport more broadcaster-friendly. (See Lynn’s previous article, “How the No-Olympic Movement is Re-Shaping Our Sport.”) 

The changes in qualifying will definitely add national teams. What isn’t clear is how much broader the pool of nations with qualifying teams will be. Thanks to Japan, Australia and New Zealand qualifying for the Olympics at WEG, the new rules are likely to add new teams from Asia which is a big plus. However, the Asian teams may be the only newcomers at the 2020 Games (Editor’s Note: Both China and Thailand will field Olympic eventing teams this year for the first time). Neither the U.S. nor Canada finished high enough in the standings to qualify for the Olympics at WEG, so both nations will be aiming to qualify at the Pan Am Games (Editor’s Note: The U.S. secured Olympic qualification with its Lima gold medal, while Canada did not and will instead send two individuals to Tokyo). Russia did not qualify at WEG either, and they entered as a composite team in 2016, so the Russians will be looking to earn the new Central & Eastern Europe, Central Asia (Group C) slot (Editor’s Note: Russia will be sending two individuals to Tokyo).

The FEI tested parts of the new team eventing format at the Strzegom and Millstreet Nations Cups, pre-pandemic. In those competitions, multiple teams lost members due to withdrawals and eliminations, yet all teams completed the competition and received final scores, so the tests showed that the new format kept teams in the competition in spite of these issues. Hopefully, having more teams in the competition will keep convince more cross country fans to watch their teams show jump.

While the Nations Cup teams officially had three members, the tests showed that teams that brought a reserve combination had a significant advantage over those that didn’t. The British team was able to come in second at both Strzegom and Millstreet in 2018 by using its reserve combination. The U.S. team’s experience at Millstreet illustrated the perils of leaving the reserve at home. The team fell from a tie for first to last place when an injury caused Buck Davidson and Carlevo to withdraw after dressage. Under the new format, Buck’s score counted toward the team score and included 200 points for cross country and 100 points for show jumping.

Here are the final team scores from the Millstreet Nations Cup:

As part of shrinking national teams to three members, the FEI eliminated the drop score which it said was confusing to the casual audience. After coaching the U.S. team at Millstreet, Erik Duvander said, “Many people agree that cutting down to three combinations on each team can be OK; however, the rules and thinking around the substitutes do seem to make the sport more complicated and possibly more difficult to understand.” If the drop score was confusing to the casual audience, the new scoring system is likely to blow their minds. It sure came close to blowing mine!

Strzegom and Millstreet did not test the new, shorter dressage test or completing dressage in one day. The new format has the advantage of being true to the name of three-day eventing and limiting competition to three days. It will also bring everyone who wants to see dressage to the venue on the same day. However, based on personal experience and the results of an informal poll of eventers, it is not clear that the changes will increase the popularity of the dressage phase. Have you ever noticed how people move in and out of the stands between dressage tests? Knowledgeable spectators just watch selected rides because watching combination after combination complete the same dressage test gets boring after a while.

Canadian fans cheer on Jessie Phoenix and Pavarotti after their 2018 WEG test. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

As my husband and I experienced watching reining at WEG, if watching riders compete the same test gets boring for a discipline we know something about, it was worse for a discipline we know very little about. My husband was ready to leave reining after about five rides. I convinced him to stay to watch the U.S. riders in hopes we would understand the judging if we saw the winning rides. It didn’t help. We both ended up bored and frustrated. We won’t attend a reining competition again unless we have someone with us who can explain what the test is supposed to look like and how it is judged.

All in all, the new FEI format has the potential to bring a few new nations to the Olympics, and hopefully, to keep fans of cross country watching through show jumping. The changes do not seem likely to make eventing more general audience or broadcaster friendly, and may make the situation worse by making scoring more difficult to understand.

The good news is that other sports found themselves in similar positions and successfully came out the other side, so the FEI has models to follow and time to make improvements. Part 2 will explore how figure skating went from being considered too technical, too confusing and too hard to broadcast to being one of the most popular sports in the Winter Olympics, and whether the FEI could take a similar approach for eventing.

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About the author: In addition to being a long-time eventing fan and amateur rider, Lynne is a sustainability consultant with Unison Advisory Group. She helps clients grow credibility and trust with important stakeholders through more thoughtful engagement, stronger environmental stewardship and higher quality business practices. She holds a Master’s in Sustainability from Harvard and an MBA from Duke.

Wednesday News & Notes from Haygain

By on Jul 7, 2021 12:01 am -

Photo via Helen Casteel on Instagram.

We are looking forward to following Helen Casteel, the first recipient of the Strides for Equality Ever So Sweet Scholarship, as she embarks on her adventure riding and working with Sara and Brian Murphy at their Berryville, Va. facility. I had the privilege of chatting with Helen a few weeks ago for a more in-depth story, so stay tuned for that coming soon right here to EN! Here’s to more opportunity and a seat at the table for all!

U.S. Weekend Preview

Chattahoochee Hills H.T. (Fairburn, Ga.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Volunteer]

Huntington Farm H.T. (South Strafford, Vt.): [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times]

The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, Md.): [Website] [Entry Status] [Volunteer]

Round Top H.T. (Castle Rock, Co.): [Omnibus] [Ride Times]

Major International Events

Barbury International (Wiltshire, United Kingdom): [Event Hub]

Wednesday Reading List

If you want to win the dressage, Tamie Smith is a good person to enlist for help. This supremely helpful column from The Chronicle is rich with six tips for being competitive in everyone’s not-so-favorite phase.

If you ride a horse with any light colors, you know the struggle of keeping said horse clean. In Horse Nation‘s latest “work smarter, not harder” column from SmartPak, some tips on keeping that colorful horse looking squeaky clean.

Karl Slezak may love him some Nickelback, but he also loves a cute bay horse named Fernhill Wishes (hopefully more than he loves Nickelback). Get to know Karl and “Choc” and the journey they’ve been on together here.

Olympic Beat:

We’re eagerly awaiting the finalized entry list for Tokyo, nominations for which were due to each country’s respective Olympic committee and the FEI earlier this week. We’ll update you with a final and complete list as soon as it becomes available! In the meantime, don’t forget to sign up for EN’s Olympic Digest email, which is sent each Monday and will begin daily editions on July 28.

USA Track & Field yesterday released its Olympic roster – and dynamite sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was not included on the list. After testing positive for marijuana, Sha’Carri received a suspension that will last through August 5. Speculation swirled that she could still be eligible to compete in the relay competition after her suspension had been served, but her absence from the roster seems to answer that question. Sha’Carri’s positive test has added fuel an already-growing discussion about marijuana and the rules surrounding its use. Read some background on this debate here and learn more about marijuana bans at the Olympics here.

Soul Cap, the inclusive swim cap designed to protect dreadlocks, afros, weaves and other types of hair, is up for reconsideration as to its use in the Olympics. The cap was originally prohibited by water sports governing body FINA but received much backlash for the decision.

Wednesday Video:

Explore the heat and humidity considerations for horses traveling to Tokyo:

US Equestrian Announces Mid-Year Updates to USEF Eventing High Performance Training Lists

By on Jul 6, 2021 4:27 pm -

The United States Equestrian Federation has announced the mid-year updated high performance training lists for eventing. Reasons why athletes and horses may be added or removed from lists, according to the USEF:

The Performance Director may remove an athlete from the Elite and Pre-Elite programs in consultation with the Performance Advisory Team if the athlete fails to meet program criteria. Athletes/horses with a long-term injury will be removed from the Training List in consultation with the Performance Advisory Team, Team Veterinarian and/or Team Physician. Training opportunities may be limited for combinations with short-term injuries. Inclusion or exclusion on a Training List does not imply or preclude an athlete from selection for a Games and Championships. The lists will be reviewed in November 2021.

. The lists are virtually identical to those released in November 2020 with the following changes:

  • Boyd Martin and On Cue were added to the Pre-Elite list.
  • Tamie Smith and Mai Baum were added to the Pre-Elite list.
  • Erin Sylvester and Paddy The Caddy were removed from the Pre-Elite list.

The updated lists:

Elite Training List

The Elite Program supports athlete and horse combinations who demonstrate the ability to contribute to medal-winning potential at the world championship level, with targets measured against world-leading performances and aiming to compete at the next Olympics or world championship.

The following combinations have been named to the Elite Training List (in alphabetical order):

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pennsylvania) and Z, a 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Ann Jones, Caroline Moran, Suzanne Lacy, Simon Roosevelt and Tom Tierney

Liz Halliday-Sharp (Lexington, Kentucky) and Deniro Z, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Ocala Horse Properties and The Deniro Syndicate

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pennsylvania) and Tsetserleg TSF, a 13-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Christine Turner

Doug Payne (Rougemont, North Carolina) and Vandiver, a 16-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Debi Crowley

2021 Pre-Elite Training List

The Pre-Elite Program aims to identify and support athlete and horse combinations with the perceived potential to meet Elite status within the next two to four years, with the target of competing on a championship team in the next four years.

The following combinations have been named to the Pre-Elite Training List (in alphabetical order):

Woods Baughman (Lexington, Kentucky) and his own C’est la Vie 135, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding

Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, Pennsylvania) and Stella Artois, a 12-year-old Holsteiner-Thoroughbred mare owned by the Stella Artois Syndicate, and FE Lifestyle, a 10-year-old warmblood gelding owned by Nina and Tim Gardner

Will Coleman (Gordonsville, Virginia) and Off The Record, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate and Don Dante, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Team Rebecca, LLC

Sydney Elliott (Bossier City, Louisiana) and QC Diamantaire, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Carol Stephens

Will Faudree (Southern Pines, North Carolina) and Mama’s Magic Way, a 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables

Ariel Grald (Southern Pines, North Carolina) and Leamore Master Plan, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Anne Eldridge

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pennsylvania) with Luke 140, a 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by the Luke 140 Syndicate, and On Cue, a 15-year-old Anglo-European mare owned by Christine Turner, Boyd Martin, Thomas Turner and Tommie Turner

Doug Payne (Rougemont, North Carolina) and Quantum Leap, a 9-year-old RPSI gelding owned by Doug & Jessica Payne

Tamie Smith (Murrieta, California) and Mai Baum, a 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn and Eric Markell

Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Virginia) and RF Cool Play, a 12-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by The Donner Syndicate, LLC

2021 Development Training List

The Development Program, led by USEF Development and Emerging Athlete Coach Leslie Law, aims to support athletes with the perceived talent and ability to reach Elite status in the next four to eight years by focusing on developing the skills needed to progress on the pathway.

The following athletes have been named to the Development Training List (in alphabetical order):

Maya Black (Clinton, Washington)
Rebecca Brown (Seagoville, Texas)
Daniel Clasing (Lovettsville, Virginia)
Zoe Crawford (Boston, Florida)
Jacob Fletcher (North Little Rock, Arkansas)
Caroline Martin (Miami Beach, Florida)
Andrew McConnon (Vass, North Carolina)
Sara Mittleider (Kuna, Idaho)
Mike Pendleton (Waynesboro, Virginia)
Caitlin Silliman (Cochranville, Pennsylvania)