Carlin Keefe and Flintstar (photo by Anneke Scace)
USEA Championship Honors
Maryland was represented by four riders this past season that earned 2020 US Eventing Association year-end championship titles.
At the Novice level, Paige Ansaldi of Ellicott City was the top Intercollegiate Rider and top Young Adult Rider. Ansaldi competes for the University of Maryland’s Eventing Team and it the current team president.
Carlin Keefe of Sandy Spring rode two horses to earn the Training Junior Rider championship. She is pictured here riding Flintstar, owned by her mother Rumsey Keefe and grandmother Trish Gilbert.
At the Preliminary level, sister Ryan Keefe earned the Intercollegiate Rider title.
And finally, Ema Klugman of Clarksburg was named the 2020 USEA Classic Series champion for her scores at the Waredaca Classic 3Day.
Madie Simpson and Call Me Classy
Maryland Thoroughbred Eventing Series
The Maryland Thoroughbred Eventing Series is open to any event rider competing a Jockey Club registered Thoroughbred at horse trials in Maryland. Awards were given out for the top horses earning points at recognized events, starter events and combination of both.
Madi Simpson and Call Me Classy won the Recognized Event division. Simpson is 16 years old and lives in Georgetown, DE. She has owned Call Me Classy, whose Jockey Club name is Dozer, for two years. The pair competed at the Novice level in 2020. They train with Mallory Distler at Baypoint Equestrian Center in Berlin.
Jaclyn Burke and Chance of Liftoff
Jaclyn Burke rode the six year old OTTB Chance of Liftoff to win the Combo division. This past season, they competed at Beginner Novice. Chance of Liftoff (JC name: Honeyfields) raced 16 times before being retired. Burke purchased him a few weeks after his last race in 2018.
Amina Harouna topped the Unrecognized Event division riding Just Be. Harouna is a member of Redland-Goshen Pony Club and Horse-N-Around 4-H Club. Although the pair have been together for several years, 2020 was the start of their eventing career. They won the TIP High Point score at every starter they competed in this past season.
Delaney O’Neil and An Irish Blessing (photo by AK Dragoo)
USEA Area II Champs
The following Marylanders earned championship or reserve championship awards from the U.S. Eventing Association’s Area II program.
Luba Abrams (Ellicott City) & Over to Hue – Beginner Novice Reserve Champion
Gretel Frew (Middletown) & Union Commander – Novice Reserve Champion
Delaney O’Neil (White Hall) & An Irish Blessing – Preliminary Champion
