Caroline Martin and Quantum Solace at Tattersalls. Photo by Libby Law Photography.
Big news, EN! The USET Foundation and USEF announced the 2016 Karen Stives European Developing Tour for Eventing today, which will send Eventing 25/18 riders overseas next year to both the Rockingham CIC and Bramham International CCI3*-U25 in England.
The tour has been developed thanks to the the Karen Stives Endowment Fund for High Performance Eventing, which was established in 2014 after Karen donated $1 million to the USET Foundation.
This developing tour is designed to “provide the international experience necessary for talented developing athletes to step up and be ready to represent this country in international championships, strengthening the pipeline of qualified riders capable of winning medals for the future,” the USET explained in a press release.
The riders named to the developing tour will also have the ability to “explore other areas that will help further their education and experience as an athlete” during their time in England. Interested riders must fill out this application by Dec. 15, 2015.
Last year Hannah Sue Burnett and Marilyn Little were the first riders to benefit from the Karen Stives Endowment Fund, with their $25,000 Karen E. Stives Endowment Grants helping to fund their trip to Chantilly, France, to train with the 2014 U.S. World Equestrian Games team.
“Through the generosity and true understanding of Karen in terms of knowing what it takes to win on the world stage, many more developing eventing riders will have the opportunity to compete in Europe among the world’s best, honing their skills and gaining valuable experience in the hopes that they too will have the chance to win Olympic gold,” Bonnie B. Jenkins, USET Foundation executive director, said.
In 1984, Karen anchored the team that won the gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics and also won the individual silver medal. She represented the U.S. at the Luhmühlen World Championships and was named USCTA Rider of Year in 1981, 1987 and 1988. She later became an FEI judge and served as chairman of the USET Three-Day Event Selectors’ Committee for many years.
Thank you, Karen, for your generosity and commitment to helping our young riders gain valuable experience overseas! Click here to see the current list of Eventing 25 riders and here to see the current list of Eventing 18 riders. Good luck to all those who apply!
[Announcing 2016 Karen Stives European Developing Tour for Eventing]
