Gladstone, NJ – The immense value of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s philanthropic commitment to sustaining U.S. equestrian excellence at all levels was on full display at the Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships (NAYC), presented by USHJA, in Traverse City, Michigan, from July 28 through August 2, 2026. Seven young jumping athletes received support through the USET Foundation’s Performance Pathway Jumping Grant Program, a pioneering initiative in its second year.
Grants are awarded to promising young jumping athletes to help offset costs associated with participating in select US Equestrian (USEF) High Performance Jumping Programs, including NAYC.
NAYC offers a major show atmosphere that replicates a senior championship experience in the Olympic disciplines of dressage and jumping. It is a key event for young North American athletes aiming to represent their country at the highest levels. Along with the memories and championship atmosphere exposure, the grant recipients brought home multiple medals.
USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie B. Jenkins said, “Investment in our athletes of the future is a cornerstone of the USET Foundation’s mission. It is gratifying to see the USET Foundation’s Performance Pathway Jumping Grant Program enabling progress along the USEF High Performance Pathway, just as intended. We are delighted to support access to opportunities for these talented young riders and provide a valuable, all-encompassing learning experience for them in a competitive environment.”
In 2026, seven up-and-coming jumping athletes across three divisions received grants to support their journeys to NAYC: McKenzie Badley (Monroe, Georgia), Honor Coulter (Hailey, Idaho), Taylor Kamataris (Leesburg, Virginia), Eleanor Pieters (Chepachet, Rhode Island), Brookelyn Roy (Camarillo, California), Brianna Shannon (Valencia, California), and Alexander Winslow (Raleigh, North Carolina).
A Faultless Week
The 16-year-old Brookelyn Roy traveled from her home base in California to make a stellar NAYC debut, winning team gold for Zone 10 with a double clear and an individual gold medal in the Pre-Junior division riding Carlo DC Stables Z.
“My horse and I ended this competition on an all-time high after a fault-free week,” said Roy. “I’m grateful and proud of this accomplishment and could not have done it without the generous grant.
“It allowed me to compete in my first FEl competition and to represent Zone 10,” she continued. “It was my first team competition, and I gained confidence after being extremely nervous. The experience also made me hopeful that I’ll be able to reach my goal of competing in the Olympics one day.
“The grant made it possible for me to have a week I’ll never forget. It took a lot of financial pressure off my parents and made this trip possible for us. I learned so much, and I will continue to pay this opportunity forward. I thank the donors from the bottom of my heart,” concluded Roy, whose grant helped cover the expenses of shipping Carlo DC Stables Z from California to Michigan, as well as flights, accommodation, show fees, and trainer costs.
The 14-year-old McKenzie Badley helped her Zone 4 team win gold in the Children’s division and finished eighth individually with her own Comeback Queen.
“NAYC prepared me for bigger shows to come and showed me that, if I want to be better, things won’t always go as expected, but winning is still possible,” she said.
“This grant helped so much with the two days of travel and meant we could afford to go. I’m not from a big barn, don’t have a string of horses, and my trainer and I do all the horse care. Riding is so expensive, and my parents give everything they have so I can try to compete at the highest level.
“It allowed me to focus on competing, learning, creating memories, and enjoying an experience that will stay with me throughout my career and has fueled my drive even more,” stated Badley. “I was surrounded by the best in the sport and by future superstars, and I want to be part of that and gain all the experience I can. I have a lot to learn.”
Brianna Shannon, 14, traveled from California with her horse, River Liffey, thanks to the grant. They earned a silver medal with the Zone 10 Children’s team and finished seventh individually in their NAYC debut.
“The grant made my dream of attending my first FEI competition possible, based on my ability, rather than financial constraints,” she said. “It substantially helped my single mom pay for the costs of shipping my horse, training, stabling, and accommodations. Show jumping is usually an individual sport for me. This opportunity allowed me to work with my team to achieve a common goal, and it felt amazing to support and encourage my team members.
“I learned how important it is to work together, communicate, and trust each other. It taught me to stay focused even when I was nervous and that, through hard work, determination, and dedication, anything is possible,” commented Shannon. “The memories made and the pride of being able to represent the U.S. will last a lifetime.”
Honor Coulter and her horse Clark — who traveled from Southern California — contributed counting scores in both rounds of the team competition, helping Zone 5/8/9 claim the Pre-Junior division team silver medal, and finished ninth individually.
“I’m an ambitious young rider with goals that sometimes feel too large due to the financial weight that comes with this sport,” said the 15-year-old Coulter. “The grant allowed me to focus on competing, learning, and making the most of every moment without the financial burden being quite as overwhelming. I’m incredibly grateful for the investment in young athletes and for helping riders like me pursue goals that would otherwise be much more difficult to achieve.
“There aren’t many ways for Juniors to compete on the international stage, so gaining this experience was very constructive in developing as a rider,” she continued. “Grants like these make my goals feel more attainable and give me the drive to keep pushing up to the top of the sport.
“At NAYC, I learned the importance of being a good teammate and that cheering loudly after a clear round, being there after a disappointing round, and being supportive in both wins and losses go a long way. There’s no comparable feeling to producing clear rounds in a big championship where others are counting on you,” concluded Coulter.
A Tangible Pathway
Junior rider Taylor Kamataris, whose clear round on new ride Callagan in the team competition helped Zone 3 finish fourth, just a rail off the podium, said, “Receiving the grant showed me that there’s a real pathway in the sport for riders who work hard, stay committed, and have big dreams but lack the resources or connections that often set up young riders for success.
“This grant didn’t just fund a trip; it funded a real growth opportunity for me and Callagan to participate among the sport’s most elite athletes,” continued the 17-year-old. “It proved there are people in the community who still believe in and support those of us who are passionate and fighting to succeed despite the obstacles.
“It reinforced my hope, faith, and spark for this sport, and I’m so grateful for the support that made competing at NAYC possible,” said Kamataris, who also received the USET Foundation Performance Pathway Jumping Grant in 2025. “We’re already looking ahead to next year, and I’ll carry this experience, gratitude, and confidence in the pathway forward for me and others like me.”
The 18-year-old Junior Eleanor Pieters was also grateful for the opportunity the grant presented.
“I’d like to thank the USET Foundation’s donors for this experience,” said the Zone 1 rider. “The grant gave me the chance to meet many peers, learn from some of the greats, and connect with my horse, Wikarla van de Bosrand. The memories I made can’t be matched. I worked through all the pressures of being at an event like this. I am so grateful for the experience that challenged me to grow my love for this sport.”
Grant recipient Alexander Winslow, riding Orphus DV in the Pre-Junior division, said, “The financial support made it possible for me to compete at NAYC, which was an incredible opportunity, but it meant more than that. I work hard every day to be a better rider and horseman, and receiving the grant made me feel my effort was recognized. That motivated me to keep working and learning, and hopefully to earn more opportunities like this in the future.
“I did some of the best riding of my career,” added the 16-year-old. “My horse, that I spent the past year rehabbing, jumped better than I could have imagined. I finished 26th individually, but what I took away was so much more. It helped me understand what it’s like to compete at a championship as part of a team and gave me the chance to meet riders, trainers, and other professionals in the sport. Some of those connections are already opening new doors and helping me take steps toward my goal of becoming a professional rider.”
As USEF’s philanthropic partner, the USET Foundation’s mission is to ensure that athletes and horses participating in USEF High Performance Programs have the resources needed to achieve podium placings internationally. Supporting promising young athletes as they advance along USEF’s High Performance Pathway is a key element of this effort.
The USET Foundation Performance Pathway Jumping Grant Program is made possible thanks to the generosity of Dr. Jennifer Gates Nassar, Nayel Nassar, and their team at Evergate Stables. For more information or to apply, visit https://www.uset.org/performance-pathway-grant-program/
