2024 International Saddle Seat World Cup: AMHA Members Selected as Participants for the U.S. Team Selection Trials

November 8, 2023

[Lexington, KY] - The International Saddle Seat World Cup competition is held every other year, rotating host countries, and consists of both a three- and five-gaited team. The United States Equestrian Federation works with athletes across the country who represent different breeds to create a team of twelve talented and dedicated athletes who will go on to represent the United States in the competition. The selection process for the U.S. team consists of an initial written and video submission component. From those submissions, USEF then chooses 12 applicants for both the three- and five-gaited teams who will move on to participate in the U.S. Team Selection Trials held in Fulton, Missouri at William Woods University. At the selection trials, the participants will be faced with completing a rail work portion and pattern portion on two randomly selected horses, allowing the riders to demonstrate their exceptional horsemanship and sportsmanship skills.

This year’s participants were announced on October 30th, and AMHA is thrilled to congratulate the following members on being selected.

Three-Gaited Team:

Ashley Sweeney
Audra Pike
Sophia Eckardt
Madeline von Ballmoos
Madison Hoffmeyer

Five-Gaited Team:

Ellie Riva
Samantha Silverstein

This year, the U.S. Team Selection Trials will be held during the first weekend of December – December 1st-2nd. Those who are chosen to represent the U.S. will travel to South Africa in December of 2024, having the opportunity to meet and connect with those from the other representative countries. AMHA would like to wish all participating athletes the best of luck and safe travels to the upcoming U.S. Team Selection Trials!

Learn more about the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team HERE.