2026 MARS Bromont Rising grant recipient Léa Pelletier (Green Valley, ON), competing at the 2025 Little/Petit Bromont Horse Trials with her horse Golden Nugget. © Cealy Tetley photo.
NEXT GENERATION OF EVENTING TALENT ANNOUNCED FOR 2026 MARS BROMONT RISING PROGRAM
U25 grant recipients named as Bromont prepares for landmark event featuring increased prize money, expanded Bromont Rising Education program, and Olympic anniversary celebrations.
BROMONT, QC – 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 4–7, 2026.
“The level of applications we received this year was exceptional,” said program director Peter Gray. “The depth of talent made the selection process incredibly challenging, and ultimately the committee felt it was important to extend support beyond the original ten grants. We are thrilled to be able to provide additional travel funding to three more athletes and help them take part in what will be an outstanding week of sport and education.”
“What makes this program so special is the opportunity to combine competition with real learning,” said Bettina Hoy. “These athletes are not only talented riders, but they are eager to improve, and that is what makes working with them so rewarding.”
Entries are now open for the 2026 MARS Bromont CCI, which will offer a total of $50,000 in prize money across all FEI (international) divisions, representing a significant increase for this year’s event.
In addition to world-class sport, members and horses of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will be on site for special appearances, media, public meet & greets, and photo opportunities throughout the week, including at Thursday evening’s Red & White Eventing Team Canada fundraiser taking place at the Chalet du Sommet de Bromont.
The 2026 primary grant recipients are:
- Jordan Riske, Manchester, MI
- Léa Pelletier, Green Valley, ON
- Paige Bradford, Mono, ON
- Payton Myers, Berryville, VA
- Carlin Keefe, Lexington, KY
- Rebecca Roth, Ocala, FL
- Sammie Thomas, Canton, MA
- Laurel Curry, The Plains, VA
- Lulu Malinoski, West Grove, PA
- Sarah Newman, Groton, MA
Additional recipients of supplemental travel grants are:
- Harrison Chang, Rome, GA
- Elizabeth Meyers, Reiglesville, PA
- Janelle Fleming, Berryville, VA
Previous MARS Bromont Rising grant recipients Emma McHugh (Beaconsfield, QC) and Mégane Sauvé (Saint Paul, QC) both participated in 2025 and were quick to highlight their appreciation not only of the financial component, but the importance of the education and community aspect of such an intensive program.
“My MARS Bromont Rising week was truly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” said McHugh, “And it made my first CCI2*-L feel so positive and supported. I learned so much in such a short time, and it’s something every young rider should get the chance to experience.
“The atmosphere, the people, and the level of learning at this amazing venue in Canada made it unforgettable. I made lifelong connections and friendships. The highlight was my lesson with the legendary Bettina Hoy! This program is something very special and I am so excited to watch this year’s group of participants learn and grow.”
Said Sauvé: “The MARS Bromont Rising program is a great way to support young riders without only giving them funds to attend the horse show. It also gives guidance and advice we can use for this competition and all the next ones.”
The $2,500 grants assist with travel and entry expenses, but the program also includes classroom sessions with respected industry leaders who give their time generously in support of the next generation of young riders. Returning presenters for 2026 include Bromont and CCI5* Burghley cross-country course designer Derek DiGrazia (USA); FEI 5* judge and FEI World Championships 2026 eventing Ground Jury member Peter Gray (CAN); and multiple Olympic, World Equestrian Games and European Championships competitor and medalist, Bettina Hoy (GER).
New education features for 2026 include stable management with former US Eventing Association president and Olympic groom Max Corcoran (USA), talks on sponsor & owner relations as well as social license to operate, and a welcome BBQ for all Bromont Rising participants on Tuesday evening courtesy of the Wildasin family / Fox Nation.
Often described as an equestrian triathlon, eventing features three separate phases of competition with the same horse and rider pair completing each phase together. The opening phase, dressage, will be held over Thursday/Friday, the exciting and spectator-friendly cross-country will take place Saturday and the event will conclude Sunday with the show jumping phase, to determine the overall winners. All days of competition are open to the public and completely free to attend/park.
Thursday night the event will host a Red & White fundraiser at the Chalet atop the Bromont Ski Hill in support of Equestrian Canada’s high performance eventing team, to raise money toward sending Team Canada to this year’s FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany. The World Championships are first “major games” in the new quadrennial cycle followed by next year’s Pan American Games in Lima, Peru; and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA. The event called “Red, White & Gold! Celebrating 50 Years of Bromont’s Olympic Legacy in Support of the Canadian Eventing Team” will be held at the Chalet du sommet de Bromont. To donate or become involved as a sponsor of the evening, contact Sue Bundy at Equestrian Canada at sbundy@equestrian.ca.
