USHJA Gold Star Clinic

Lexington, Ky.—Feb. 10, 2021—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association announced the participants for the 2021 USHJA Gold Star Clinic - East. The Gold Star Clinics are the pinnacle of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, which identifies Jumper riders who have the skill and desire to excel in the sport, while educating riders to become well-rounded horsemen on their path to excellence.

The East Coast Clinic, led by Anne Kursinski and Colleen Reed, was held for February 10-14, 2021 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Congratulations to the following riders selected to this year's clinic:

1.10m-1.15m

• Audrey Blasé, Roswell, Ga. 
• Devyn Borden, Richardsville, Va.
• Isabella Cheers, Shallotte, N.C.
• Savannnah Embly, Lexington, Ky.
• Claire Garland, Granville, Ohio
• Iris Gasser, Wayne, Ill.
• Campbell Jones, Saline, Mich.
• Brittany Kasprack, Olive Branch, Miss.
• Elizabeth Kennedy, Walpole, Mass.
• Gabriella Lewis, Zionsville, Ind.
• Alexis Mierzwa, Winchester, Va.
• Vanessa Raso, Sewickley, Pa.
• Emily Schneider, Ridge Spring, S.C.

1.20m-1.25m

• Maggie Bresch, Barrington, Ill.
• Sofia Cady, Austin, Texas
• Christopher Ferralez, Elgin, Ill.
• Sophie Sacagiu, Winter Garden, Fla.

1.30m-1.35m

• Abigail Bergin, Baton Rouge, La.
• Brooks Hull, North Fort Myers, Fla.
• Caroline Mawhinney, Woodside, Calif.
• Ansley Wright, Manalpan, Fla.

1.40m-1.45m

• Emma Marlowe, Wellington, Fla.
• Genevieve Munson, Rogers, Ark.

The clinic included mounted instruction with Kursinski. A five-time Olympian, two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, author, clinician and international competitor, Kursinski is one of the U.S.’s most accomplished and respected show jumping athletes and is known for her fluid, classical American riding style. She started her international career while still in high school, competing on the U.S. Nation's Cup Team at Spruce Meadows. In 2008, she went to her fifth Olympic Games in Hong Kong, as the U.S. Gold Medal Team's reserve rider.

Reed led the unmounted instruction. Reed’s education from Pony Club ignited her passion for horse care and stable management. She attended Centenary College, where she majored in Equine Studies and Management, and was given an internship at famed Beacon Hill Show Stables working as a groom for top show hunters. Before long, she was a traveling manager, accompanying upwards of 25 horses to events nationwide.

In addition to Kursinski and Reed, the clinic offered other educational presentations from top athletes and horsemen. This included horse health and nutrition discussions, education about what to expect as a member of a competitive Jumping team, and information about international Jumping competition. The mounted instruction concluded with a competitive team format.