Galway Downs is honored to host the 2023 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships, presented by USEA. Staged at the CCI1*-L, CCI2*-L and CCI3*-L divisions, the Championships run concurrent with the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs, Nov. 1-5, 2023.
Please welcome these impressive contenders…
Alberta Young Riders
Michaela Aulicino – CCI1*
I am 18 years old from Calgary, Alberta and I’m so excited to represent Alberta at the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships with my horse Nottingham Hill, (aka Niko)!
Niko Is a 2011 KWPN and I have owned him for just over 3 years. Together Niko and I have competed up to the Modified level. I am looking forward to representing Alberta and accomplishing my longtime goal of competing at the FEI level.
I’ve been involved with Alberta High Performance as a member of the U18 and Development teams the past several years, and am so grateful for the skills I’ve learned and opportunities I’ve been given through these programs.
I look forward to representing a community I am very passionate about, and one which has provided me so much support in accomplishing my goals.”
Mickanna Austad – CCI1*
I am 14 years old and I live in Rocky Mountain House. The horse I am riding is Expo, a 19 year old OTTB. His breeder was Dr Bryan Anderson from British Columbia. His sire is Exploit and his dam is High Hatted. This also will be my last year eventing him at this level so I’m super excited we are having our last event at the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships.
I started riding barrel horses as soon as I could hold on and I started my eventing career in 2018. I am hoping to go to the 5* level in eventing. I also would love to become an eventing coach when I am older. It means so much to me to be able to have the ability to be on the Alberta Development eventing team and now attend Young Rider Championships.
This has been a goal of mine for 2 years now, but I was too young. I am so excited I am able to do it and there are so many things that this will lead me to in the future. I think this is going to be a great experience and I will learn a lot and be able to spend time with some great people.
I want to thank all of our sponsors, as well as Alberta Horse Trials, the Alberta High Performance team and my coaches for everything that they have done for me and my horse.
Mackenzie Hoffman — CCI1*
I am 17 years old and from Tees. My horse, Creative Crossing, aka “CC” is a 2014 Off The Track Thoroughbred. His dam is Dover Crossing and his sire Creative Cause, bred by Heinz Joseph Steinmann.
I have been riding my whole life and started eventing at 8 years old. I have been part of the Alberta High Performance Development Team for the past 5 years – two of those seasons on my Warmblood Heathcliff competing at the Training level. He has now been passed on to my younger cousin.
In the fall of 2020 I purchased CC and he quickly caught on to his new job. In the fall of 2022, I had the opportunity to compete in Florida, and train with Canadian Olympian Kyle Carter. As well as compete in the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships on team Alberta in the CCI-1*L division. This season we have been competing successfully at the EV105 (modified) level.
I am thrilled to be able to once again represent Alberta at the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships, this year at Galway Downs in California. It means so much to be able to represent your province and country in a team event like the Championships, and I am so thankful for this opportunity!
Area V
Luciana Hackett – CCI1*-L
15-year-old Luciana is from Argyle, Texas. Her 6-year-old Holsteiner gelding, As Good As Cash, was purchased from Caroline Pamukcu two years ago with only a handful of shows under his belt. After competing all over the country, they moved up to Modified at Texas Rose where they earned their MER to compete 1*. They competed at Modified through the summer of 2023 including American Eventing Championships in Open Modified division. Then they made their 1* debut at The Fork at Tryon International in September 2023. Luciana and Cash are blessed to have a team of coaches and supporters helping them. They are very excited to represent Area V at the 2023 Young Rider championships!
Scarlett Peinado – CCI1*-L
The USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships have been a big goal of mine for the past two years and I am so excited to be competing this year with Shadow Inspector. I am currently training with the Schramms in Cochrainville, PA. I have just recently finished 5th in my first CCI1* -S, at Plantation Field, and I was also selected for the Emerging Athlete U21 program in 2022 and this year. My horse, “Chief,” is a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse with the sweetest personality. I am thankful for my horses 50 Shades of Even, Second Amendment, and Shadow Inspector, who have helped me achieve my goals.
Camryn Chung – CCI2*
I’m competing with my off-the-track thoroughbred, Bird Queen, whom I produced myself. Bird Queen has taken me from my first Starter to CCI2*, so this event marks a significant milestone in our partnership! I’m from Dallas, Texas, where I train under the guidance of Rebecca Brown and am a member of the Emerging Athlete 21 National Program.
This will be my third time participating in the Young Rider Eventing Championships, and I’m excited to also be competing my younger horse, Carlos Santana in the Open 1*. I’m especially looking forward to the unique experience of competing on the West Coast at Galway Downs!
Area VI
Fiona Holland – CCI*
I am 15 years old and I’ve been riding Joshua Tree for a little over a year and am currently at the 1* level.
I remember when I first met Juju in July 2022 — it was love at first sight. He has this loving ‘I’ll do anything for you’ personality. Juju means everything to me. Getting him was one of the best choices I have ever made, and I feel very blessed.
Kylie Scott – CCI *
Kylie grew up watching an older cousin represent Area V as a Young Rider, and it has been a goal of hers ever since. Kylie is now 15 and is ecstatic to represent Area VI at the Young Rider Championships. Kylie started riding her current horse, LC O’Shawnisee, in June 2022. It was love at first ride.
“Shawn,” a local celebrity in his previous home state of Washington, has competed at the upper levels in eventing. Their first event together in was in October 2022 Ram Tap at Training Level. They recently competed at Twin Rivers Fall International in Kylie’s first FEI 1*. Kylie and Shawn have a true partnership. Shawn is advancing Kylie’s riding skills and Kylie is helping him to realize that he doesn’t have to gallop through a dressage test. Kylie is truly grateful for all the help and support she has received from her eventing coaches, friends, fellow competitors and family. See you at Galway!
Greylin Booth – CCI *
Sixteen-year-old Greylin starting in Hunter/Jumpers at age 7. She switched disciplines to compete in eventing in 2020 and hasn’t looked back. She brings her six year old Dutch Warmblood, Modesto RE, “Shark”, to compete at Galway Downs.
“I’m incredibly excited to be given this opportunity to represent Area VI; it’s the culmination of so much hard work, and I’m super grateful to my barn family, my coaches Andrea Pfeiffer and Tommy Greengard, and my parents for supporting me. It’s been really fun getting to know other Area VI YR this year and I look forward to coming together with them as a team at this national championship.”
Jillian Mader – CCI *
“My horse, Coolrock Wacko Jacko, and I are so excited to be representing Area VI in this year’s Galway Downs Championships for the CCI1*. I train with Helen & James Alliston up in Northern California so to be headed down south with Jacko feels so special. I’m super grateful to be riding this horse that has given me more opportunities than imaginable. I can’t wait to cheer on my fellow teammates in the next couple of weeks.
Brooke Corsaut – CCI *
My horse Juste Capitaine and I have been partners for 3 years, competing up through the levels to Preliminary! Super excited to have the opportunity to compete for Area Vl at the Young Rider Championships at Galway Downs. I feel very fortunate to represent the 1* team with such a talented group of teammates. Let’s go Area VI!
Lauren Crabtree – CCI **
I began my riding career five years ago on a cheeky little pony named Chex Mix. After Chex Mix passed away, I was so lucky to be given the opportunity to ride a school master, Nabouco De Lessay. He showed me how to be confident and brave in a sport that I was still trying to figure out. Nabouco took me through training level and was the foundation of my great love for the sport.
Soon after Nabouco was retired, we bought Lenny and began training with Kaylawna Smith-Cook. While in her training program, she has helped me develop Lenny from a novice level ride into a 2*L packer. No one believed that Lenny could be where he is now, but Kaylawna saw the potential. Throughout my time in her program, Kaylawna has been instrumental in teaching me the proper fundamentals of riding as well as the importance of the horse-rider bond. I can’t wait to see what is yet to come and I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to ride on the Young Rider Team for Area VI.
Gabriella Ringer – CCI **
I’m 19 years old and I ride my own, Get Wild, an 11 year-old Dutch Warmblood. I have hopes of taking him to the top of the sport. I feel super excited and very grateful to be representing Area VI this year in CCI2*-L at the USEF Young Rider Championships. This is such a great opportunity to be a part of a team of really talented young riders.
Amanda Boyce – CCI **
“I am so excited to be part of the Area VI team, and I am looking forward to competing in the CCI2*-L Young Rider Championships on my 13 year-old Swedish Warmblood, Carter.
“We successfully completed our first 2*-L at Galway Downs last November, so it is great to have the opportunity to come back and compete in my first Young Rider Eventing Championship.
“I am 19 years old and I am a full-time student at CSU Monterey Bay, and I am also part of the EA21 program. Carter and I train in Carmel Valley, California with Lauren Billys Shady. I have been riding for 12 years and Young Riders has been one of my biggest goals, and I aspire to compete at the 5* level one day.”
Taylor McFall – CCI **
I have been riding horses all my life. I started 3-day eventing when I was 8 years old and I always had the goal of becoming an FEI level rider. In 2019, I had the honor of representing Area VI Young Riders, completing my first 2**L competition aboard the legendary High Times. It was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience and I cannot wait to live through it again with my new mount Hallelujah DF, a horse born and bred at my family farm.
Hallelujah has 2 years of experience at Preliminary. I’ve started my partnership with “Halle” this year and I am ready to guide her through her first 2**L.
I can’t wait to see what potential we have together and I am looking forward to representing a Area VI at such a top notch venue on the West Coast. See you all at Galway Downs!
Julia Beauchamp Crandon – CCI **
I’m super excited to be competing for the first time in the CCI2*- L 2023 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships and thrilled to represent Area VI with my mare, MGH Capa Vilou.
I have been part of the national EA21 program the last two years and I am based out of Portola Valley with Mickayla Howard (Avon Eventing). I got “Pattie” almost two years ago when she had done a handful of Training Levels and one Preliminary in England with Sami Birtch. We have been competing at the Preliminary and 2* level together this season.
My goal is to continue to produce this mare up the levels as well as my 3* mount, Playing the Game (Pip), who has taught me the ropes of eventing from Novice to both our first CCI3*’s over the four years we have forming a partnership. I am looking forward to getting to know new people this year in Young Riders and taking away some valuable experiences.
Sarah Ross – CCI **
I’m 20 years old and I’ve been competing at the 2*/Prelim level with Fernhill Heart Throb and just recently started competing Kilcandra Top Gun in his first Beginner Novice!
Elsa Warble – CCI **
I am 15 years old. I started riding seven years ago when I told my parents one summer that I wanted to sing and ride horses, the latter stuck. Once I had finished my first week of summer camp, I told my parents “that was the best week of my life”. I couldn’t be more grateful for my loyal partner and best friend FE Unlimited (Axel). He is one in a million and forever my heart horse, I can’t wait for the future!
Molly Duda – CCI ***
Molly is 19 and she is currently studying Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at UCLA. Molly rode her first horse at Webb Ranch in Portola Valley, California 6 years ago, and she has been eventing for 4 years now. She spent the past 2 years training with Mickayla Howard, who brought her up from Training Level to 3*. Molly is thrilled to be competing at the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships this year, and she looks forward to cheering on the rest of Area VI.
AREA VII
Olivia Keye — CCI1*-L
Based out of Kalispell, MT, “Liv” is proud to represent Area VII riding an 11 year old rescue Throughbred, “Chromatic Flyer.” Liv started in dressage and moved in eventing 3 years ago. She spends her summers in Montana and winters in Southern California where she trains with Jil Walton out of JARBA Farms. “I’m excited for the opportunity to ride with an amazing team and to be part of the community Area VII has created. This venue holds a large place in my heart as I have spent the past 2 Winters based out of this incredible facility.”
Abigail Popa – CCI1*-L
My six-year-old mare, Lutina, and I have been competing successfully for the last two years, and just recently made the move up to Preliminary. I have been competitively eventing since 2020 and aspire to someday be competing at the four- and five-star levels. I am excited to be representing our Area VII team as a CCI1* rider, along with an amazing group of riders, grooms, and trainers. This will be an incredible opportunity for learning and improvement, along with making lifelong memories with incredible teammates.”
Catarina Ritson — CCI*-L
I’m competing my 15 year old OTTB This Lad is Gold, “Gary”, in the 1*-L. I have had him for two years and taken him from Novice to Prelim and now the 1*. I am very excited to be riding with such a talented group of people.
Kaylee Petticord — CCI2*-L
Based out of Enumclaw, WA, Kaylee will compete her mare, All That Jazz, at the 2* Level. All that Jazz, “Jane,” is a TB mare her trainer bought sight unseen out of a field in Montana.
“I’m so excited to finally be able to compete on the Young Rider team and represent Area VII. It’s been on my bucket list since i first saw NAYC back in 2019 at Rebecca Farms. I love the idea of competing on a team in such an individual sport! This is such a great group of girls and i couldn’t be more grateful!”
Hanni Sreenan — CCI2*-L
“I’ve been riding since I was little and, in the winter months, I also was a competitive ski racer at the national level. I just made the switch to full time eventing this year with hopes of being a 5* rider and trainer. I will be competing Ebenholtz at the 2* level.
“I’m so excited and great full for the opportunity to be on Area VII Young Rider championship team. This will be an amazing experience will lots of learning opportunities.
Lindsay Essex – CCI2*-L
“I ride a 17hh OTTB named Nordic Winter and am competing in the 2-S championships. I began eventing because my mom evented and my love for the sport grew from there! As my dad trains racehorses, I also gallop race horses in the summer. Along with this I am a full-time running start student. I am excited to compete at the Young Rider Championships as it has been a goal of mine since I went to my first young rider camp.
Lizzie Hoff – CCI2*-L + CCI1*-L
Since moving to the east coat to base with Caroline Pamukcu this year, it’s extra special to be able to finish off our season back on the West Coast and to ride for Area VII. I am very excited to compete in the 2* with HSH Limited Edition and in the 1* with my young horse HSH Best Kept Secret.
Kayla Dumler — CCI3*-L
“I’m super excited to be riding my horse Faramir in the 3* championships! I have taken Faramir from his first recognized event up to the 3* level. When I’m not riding, I am at school studying accounting with a minor in Finance and Econ at Grand Canyon University in Arizona! I can’t wait to see what the USEA and Robert Kellerhouse’s team at Galway Downs have planned for us and I’m looking forward to a great week!