The riders who received grants from the Mars Bromont Rising U25 Program lost no time in putting what they had learned to good use at the Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event, held November 13-17, 2019 in Ocala, Florida.

Ema Klugman and Bendigo showed they were worthy recipients when the pair finished third in the CCI4*-L behind Erin Sylvester and Lauren Kieffer with one of only two double clears in show jumping. Klugman expressed appreciation for the program and the people who made it possible when she wrote to one of the program’s founders, “It was so great to have some other girls in the program cheering us on this afternoon. Huge thanks to you and all the folks who put on the program - my results this weekend wouldn't have been possible without you.” Klugman was one of the recipients of the first Bromont Rising Program in June this year where she finished 13th in the CCI4*-L.

Unfortunately, Arielle Aharoni and Dutch Times parted company on the CCI4*-L cross-country course but will be back next year to set matters straight.

Kaelen Speck and Sweet Rebellion and Nicole Aden and Truckee Bash also had a very good weekend finishing fifth and 14th respectively in the CCI4*-S.

The CCI2*-L saw Isabelle Bosley and Night Quality finish seventh on 30.60, in a very competitive division that had over 70 starters. Other Bromont Rising riders in the CCI2*-L were Ema Klugman and Bronte Beach, 20th; Elizabeth Henry and Charlotte La Bouff, 22nd; Samantha Tinney and Glenbrook Cooley, 28th; Barrett Phillips and Whole Nine Yards, 34th; and Nicholas Staples and WF Drousseau, 53rd. Charlotte Babbitt and 2 A.M. finished 17th in the CCI3*-L.

Barrett Phillips summed up the feelings of all the riders when she wrote to those who had put so much into the program over the year. “Firstly, the way that you financially supported me and the rest of the recipients throughout this past week is inexplicable. Thank you does not even feel sufficient. Along with that, all of the time that you took to organize this program and to organize the guest speakers was amazing. I think that the knowledge lessons that we were given at the beginning of the week were probably the most influential . . . Thank you for introducing me to many new faces that I will be able to stay connected with throughout my eventing career. I could go on and on about how much you have done for us because the list is endless . . . This winter I will be focusing on my riding to be able to come back next season stronger and even more competitive.”

The inaugural Mars Bromont Rising U25 Program was held in June this year at the Bromont Three-Day Event. Graduates have gone on to garner much success this year building on the experiences they gained at Bromont. Emma Lomangino and Master Frisky who finished fourth in the CCI3* at Bromont also upgraded to the four-star at Fair Hill completing in 15th place. Woods Baughman placed sixth in the CCI3*-S at Bromont and capitalized on that performance by winning the CCI3*-L at Fair Hill, becoming the 2019 USEF CCI3*-L Eventing Champion and doing the Bromont Rising U25 Program proud. Brooke Massie, another participant in the June program, went on to win the Bromont CCI4*-S in August, her first time at the level.

There is no doubt that the experiences that these young people were able to enjoy through the Mars Bromont Rising U25 Program will stay with them forever. The lessons taught will have a lasting benefit and we look forward to seeing all these riders building on this valuable education at events in 2020.

2019 Mars Bromont Rising Grant Recipients

Nicole Aden
Arielle Aharoni
Charlotte Babbitt
Woods Baughman
Isabelle Bosley
Bradley Champagne
Gabby Dickerson
Elizabeth Henry
Renee Kalkman
Ema Klugman
Brooke Massie
Ashlynn Meuchel
Barrett Phillips
Greta Schwickert
Kaelen Speck
Nicholas Staples
Samantha Tinney
Alternate: Maxine Preston