Midsummer Update: Momentum, Mentorship, and the Donors Making it Possible
A Midsummer Note from Road to the Top
This summer, Road to the Top is celebrating the young American Tier 1 Riders and Apprentices who are turning long days, good horsemanship, and world-class mentorship into real progress. From an international young-horse win in Valkenswaard to winning rounds in Traverse City, the RTTT pathway is creating confidence, mileage, and opportunity.
RTTT was created to help talented, ambitious young professionals access the education, mentorship, horses, and competition experience required to grow in the sport. This summer's results show exactly why that work matters.
Every clear round, winning jump-off, long travel day, early morning, and thoughtful lesson is part of the larger goal: building prepared, resilient, high-standard riders for the future of American show jumping.
Tier 1 Rider Results: Wins, Mileage, and Momentum
RTTT celebrates the Tier 1 Riders putting their education to work this summer. These results reflect talent, but also the deeper foundation behind the program: mentorship, preparation, judgment, and opportunity.
Photo by LGCT Media
Caelinn Leahy | Mentor: Laura Kraut
A huge accomplishment: Caelinn Leahy won the CSI Young Horse 1* Final at Valkenswaard with My Secret Z.
Winning in a young-horse final at one of Europe's premier venues is a meaningful marker of confidence, education, and competitive reach. RTTT is proud to celebrate Caelinn, My Secret Z, and the mentorship pathway helping build the next steps in her career.
“I have learned so much from Nick and Laura when it comes to developing young horses correctly and educating them in a way where they can learn to be competitive. It was a fantastic day and I look forward to continuing with this momentum!”
“The win in the Young Horse Final at Valkenswaard was extremely rewarding. To be able to win against top riders with their up-and-coming horses has given me a taste of what it feels like to be competitive against leading combinations on an international level,” Caellinn said. “I have been fortunate enough to work with My Secret Z for about two months, and I feel we are cementing a good partnership, and she is developing into a fantastic young prospect.”
Photo by Giana Terranova Photography
Katie Williams | Mentors: Katie and Henri Prudent
Katie Williams has been on a summer roll in Traverse City, producing consistent wins with Gamma Cassius and Follow Me.
She has also added an exciting new ride, Boyson de Seigneur, to her competitive string. Her success in speed and jump-off classes reflects the qualities RTTT values: accuracy, efficiency, decision-making, and confidence under pressure.
Winning rounds are built from daily systems: horse care, fitness, preparation, course strategy, timing, accuracy, and the calm confidence that comes from strong mentorship. That is the work RTTT donors are helping provide.
Photo by Giana Terranova Photography
Apprentice Progress: Learning by Doing
The RTTT Apprentice Program gives emerging professionals a close-up education in what it takes to run, ride, and support a top show-jumping program. Mentor reports are positive, and each apprentice is making the most of long days at home and at horse shows throughout the country.
James Leone | Apprenticing with Sloane Coles
James is working and riding through the daily rhythm of a professional program, gaining practical mileage and learning the details that make success sustainable. His experience with Sloane Coles emphasizes preparation, horsemanship, discipline, and the invisible work that happens before riders enter the ring.
James has had great results in the show ring with Sissy and Tim Wickes’ 8-year-old Nelson S as well as Harmonie du Jart, owned by the Philappaerts family.
Alexa Leong | Apprenticing with Lucy Davis
Alexa joined Lucy Davis in early June at Spruce Meadows, stepping into a high-level competition environment and an extraordinary learning opportunity. Alexa is receiving valuable instruction on the flat from Lucy, learning skills that are essential to her development as a rider.
Her placement reflects the kind of access RTTT is designed to create: hands-on education, professional standards, and exposure to top sport.
Alexandra Frohman | Apprenticing with Schuyler Riley
Alexandra is immersed in the daily systems of a competitive program, learning horse care, stable management, show preparation, and riding under pressure. Alexandra competed numerous horses at the Upperville and Lake Placid Horse Shows, demonstrating her skill, tenacity and quick adaptation to new horses.
Her work with Schuyler Riley is part of the broader RTTT mission: building capable, thoughtful professionals from the ground up.
The apprentice model is working. With strong mentor feedback and meaningful progress from each athlete, RTTT hopes to expand the program in the future so more young American riders can gain this kind of education.
Donor Spotlight: Your Support is at Work
Your support is not abstract. It shows up in the ring, in the barn aisle, on the road, and in the daily decisions that teach young riders how to become professionals. RTTT donors help turn promise into readiness.
Mentorship: Access to elite professionals who teach standards, judgment, and confidence.
Mileage: Training, travel, and competition experience that cannot be learned from the rail.
Horsemanship: Daily care, stable systems, and respect for the horse as the center of the sport.
Double your gift now: Margaret Duprey and Cherry Knoll Farm's $125,000 Matching Pledge makes this a powerful moment to support Road to the Top. Every gift now works twice as hard to create opportunity for young American riders and apprentices.
Calcuttas Galore: GLEF hosts RTTT fundraising
Road to the Top held five Calcutta auctions in July, featuring both hunter and jumper competitions. A new format for most horse show enthusiasts, the online team auction quickly grew in popularity. We will continue to hold Calcutta events in the future and encourage everyone to participate.
Register, bid, cheer on your team and give back to RTTT!
Looking Ahead
Road to the Top Jumper Challenge - September 4, Hippodrome at Los Angeles Equestrian Center
Road to the Top Jumper Challenge - September 5, Bainbridge Grand Prix Ring at Traverse City
Both classes will be featured on the free ClipMy Horse.tv 24/7 channel. Please watch this exciting new format of a hybrid jumper/equitation class.
Exciting events on the horizon!
Look for announcements of RTTT events:
Silo Ridge Masters, at Highlands Horse Shows in Amenia, New York on October 10
2nd Annual So Just Ask at Wanderers Club, Wellington, Florida on January 17, 2027
To our donors, mentors, owners, horse-show partners, families, and friends: thank you. You are helping RTTT create the kind of access that changes careers and strengthens the future of American show jumping.
Follow along: @road_to_the_top_us | Support the mission: roadtothetop.org