In the six years he’s been conducting clinics at USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Sessions, Peter Wylde has taught many students the ins and outs of equitation. This year, the 2004 Olympic U.S. team gold medalist (Greece) is imparting his wisdom upon a new group of eager and talented program finalists.

EAP Nationals, held for the second consecutive year at the University of Findlay (Ohio), sees 16 finalists—selected from ten regional, qualifying clinics—take part in an intensive and comprehensive training program.

Lake Forest, Ill., rider Stephen Foran came away the winner of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Emerging Athletes Program Finals on Nov. 18. The 17-year-old high school senior competed against a group of 16 riders over the course of the clinic, held over four days at Fields and Fences in Gurnee, Ill.

“I’m still pinching myself,” said Foran, who trains with his father, Steve Foran, at the family’s Liberty Farm. “I can’t really put into words how badly I wanted this when I was coming here."

Melanie Smith Taylor, who helped establish the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program in 2009, and natural horsemanship trainer Mindy Bower will part ways from the EAP now that the 2011 National Training Session has concluded.

As the rider with the shiniest boots at the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, Jacob Pope will surely fulfill U.S. show jumping chef d’equipe George Morris’ turnout expectations when he meets him in January.

But on the list of things that impressed EAP clinicians on Nov. 17-20, several more important characteristics trumped Pope’s polishing skills. The 16-year-old rider from Columbia, Md., bowled over the judges with his top-level riding, horsemanship and stable management skills.

For most riders, winning 30 days’ advanced training with a top instructor would have been opportunity enough. Not for Kate Haley.