Emma McHugh, 21, of Beaconsfield, QC and Ricochet have received a grant to participate in the MARS Bromont Rising education program while competing at the MARS Bromont CCI June 5-8, 2024. The pair placed second in the FEI CCI1* division at the Little Bromont event in 2024. © Cealy Tetley Photo.
Media Contact: Michelle Dunn, +1-313-808-0463 (en Anglais)
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BROMONT, QC – May 19, 2025 – The MARS Bromont Rising U25 scholarship program, administered by the USEA Foundation, is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s grant funding for riders aiming to compete in the MARS Bromont CCI (Quebec, Canada) taking place June 5-8, 2025. Each will receive $2,500 toward their travel and competition costs, and participate in an extensive educational component during the event.
The brainchild of Bromont organizer Sue Ockendon and the late Steve Blauner; the scholarship program was first offered in 2019 for riders competing at Bromont and at the time Ocala, and was expanded to include Galway Downs in 2022 and 2023. Highlighting this year’s program is the return of three-time German Olympic team member Bettina Hoy, as a guest coach. Hoy will be coaching athletes on dressage days as well as providing course walks for cross-country and show jumping.
Program director, Olympian and FEI 5* Eventing judge, Peter Gray also acts as a clinician at each event, including his “centreline sessions” on how to make the most of your warm-up and exactly what the judges are looking for movement by movement.
On release of the names Gray commented: “This year we received the most applications on record and the committee was especially impressed with the quality. For many it will be their first international FEI competition outside of the US and it’s such a privilege to be able to compete at the beautiful, world-class site at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park. Guest coach Bettina Hoy is very enthusiastic about the MARS Equestrian Bromont Rising program and with her coaching, as well as the additional lectures, presentations and course walks, I am sure it will be a memorable week for all! Thank you to Dr. Mark Hart, Carol Kozlowski and Diane Pitts for joining me on the review committee to select this year’s recipients.”
The 2025 recipients are:
Mary Cotton, 25, of Cochranville, PA, with Hudson T
Kelsey Estes, 19, of Mount Airy, MD, with Trionfo
Audrey Littlefield, 20, of Amherst, NH with Mr. Pumpkin
Emma McHugh, 21, of Beaconsfield, Quebec, with Ricochet
Lyman Ordoway, 18, of Southern Pines, NC, with Exces De Folie
Kelsey Seidl, 21, of Berryville, VA with Chico’s Man and Water Mill Smooth
Nicholas Shank, 21, of Edmonton, Alberta, with Dunrath Archibald
Ella Spiers, 19, of Metamora, MI, with Mission Complete
Mandolin Whitten, 22, of Gordonsville, VA, with Cooley Easy Trip
For more information on the MARS Bromont Rising program visit www.bromontcci.com.