program, now in its second year, that allows young riders ages 14-21 to experience an all-expenses-paid endurance ride in a foreign country. This is an educational program that will enable young riders to see and experience an endurance ride in a foreign country and will allow them to meet endurance riders from around the world.
The program, which promotes sportsmanship and education, is currently funded through the Gator Run Benefit Ride, an AERC-sanctioned ride held in Florida as well as by many donations from people who want a successful program for our young riders to enjoy. It was a tough decision to select just four young riders from the 21 very well qualified riders who applied to the program.
All four young riders will be flying this summer to Australia, along with a couple of chaperones. This is a wonderful way to form long-lasting relationships with young riders from around the U.S. and Canada as well as getting acquainted with young riders from around the world.
Introducing AERC’s 2019 International Young Riders:
Solstice Pecile,19, from Ontario, Canada, has been riding endurance for the past seven years. She had the opportunity to travel to Kentucky in 2015 to be a part of the North American Junior Young Rider Championship as a member of the Canadian team and also the NAETC that was hosted in Ontario. She bred and raised her own foal that is currently 3 years old and she looks forward to bringing him along in endurance training over the next few years. Solstice would love to be able to ride in more competitive international events and possibly the WEG someday. Currently, Solstice is studying Biotechnology at Fleming College and hopes to have a job working in genetics.
Kimmy Cates, 19, from Florida has been involved in endurance riding for eight years. She has had opportunities to ride through the help of many caring people in the endurance family. She is very experienced with riding many different horses with various attitudes.
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Introducing AERC’s 2019 International Young Riders
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any countries around the world have growing young endurance rider programs and competitions.
The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) is continuing its own exciting pilot program, now in its second year, that allows young riders ages 14-21 to experience an all-expenses-paid endurance ride in a foreign country. This is an educational program that will enable young riders to see and experience an endurance ride in a foreign country and will allow them to meet endurance riders from around the world.
Kimmy’s mother passed away when she was only 10 years old and she has tried to become a strong, compassionate person who always looks on the positive side of things, as her mom would have wanted. She is looking forward to traveling to a foreign country for the first time in her life. Kimmy’s current goal is to go back to school and become certified as an MRI technician. Her long-term goals are to have a simple life, get a house and horses, and do endurance!
Madison MacPhail, 19, is from California and has been riding endurance since she was 8 years old. This coming year she hopes to qualify for the Decade Team award with her horse! She has never been to a ride outside of California but has had other opportunities to travel to a few foreign countries. She is looking forward to making new endurance friends in Australia as well as with the other young riders on this trip. Madison is currently studying Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State in hopes to become a wildlife biologist/conservationist. She wants to make a positive difference in the world. Her lifestyle goal is to remain close to her family and live an empowered, happy life doing something she loves.
Shelby Moucha, 19, from Ohio has been riding endurance for nine years. She has been a calming influence on many senior endurance riders/horses and has “sponsored” a few of them through their nervous moments. Unfortunately,
Solstice Pecile, 19, from Canada