Introducing Our 2023 Alberta Young Riders! – Alberta High Performance Eventing Team

On behalf of the Alberta Horse Trials Association, Alberta High Performance Team, and the Alberta Young Riders Selection Committee, we are incredibly proud to CONGRATULATE the following riders that have been chosen to represent Alberta at the 2023 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships at Galway Downs International Horse Trials in Temecula, California on November 1-5, 2023!

CCI1*-L Team
Mackenzie Hoffman & Creative Crossing, a 2014 bay Thoroughbred gelding, by Creative Cause out of Dover Crossing, bred by Heinz Joseph Steinmann.
Madeleine Shank & Sweet Georgia Brown, a 2010 chestnut Trakehner cross mare.
Michaela Aulicino & Nottingham Hill, a 2011 chestnut KWPN gelding.
Mickanna Austad & Expo , a 2004 chestnut Thoroughbred gelding by Exploit out of High Hatted, bred by Dr. & Mrs. Bryan Anderson

CCI2*-L Individual
Caitlyn Sutherland & EMS Florence, a 2010 gray Irish Sport Horse mare by Loch Cruise out of Kilshane Mansha, bred by Willie McElhinney.

Team Coach: Leahona Rowland
Chef D’Equipe: Kathleen Ziegler

Congratulations to the riders! Safe travels and we look forward to cheering you on in just a few short weeks!

Hi, I am Mackenzie Hoffman and I am 17 years old. My horse, Creative Crossing, aka CC is a 2014 Off The Track Thoroughbred. His dam is Dover Crossing and his sire Creative Cause, bred by Heinz Joseph Steinmann.

I have been riding my whole life, but started eventing at 8 years old. I have been part of the Alberta High Performance Development Team for the past 5 years. Two of the seasons on my Warmblood Heathcliff competing at the Training level. He has now has been passed on to my younger cousin.

In the fall of 2020 I purchased CC and he quickly caught on to his new job. In the fall of 2022 I had the opportunity to compete in Florida, and train with Canadian Olympian Kyle Carter. As well as compete in the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships on team Alberta in the CCI-1*L division. This season we have been competing successfully at the EV105 (modified) level.

I am thrilled to be able to once again represent Alberta at the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships, this year at Galway Downs in California. It means so much to be able to represent your province and country in a team event like the Championships, and I am so thankful for this opportunity!
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My name is Madeleine Shank, I’m 18 years old and I ride a 15 year old trakehner mare named Sweet Georgia Brown. We are based just north of Edmonton, and have been partnered together for 3 years now.

This is my second opportunity to represent Alberta at Young Riders and I am super excited to be a part of such an amazing team! The Young Riders program is an incredible way to ride with new coaches and clinicians and an incredible opportunity test your limitations as a horse/rider pair.
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My name is Mickanna Austad. I’m 14 years old and I live in Rocky Mountain House. The horse I am riding is Expo a 19 year old OTTB. His breeder was Dr Bryan Anderson from BC. His sire is Exploit and his dam is High Hatted. This also will be my last year eventing him at this level so I’m super excited we are having our last event at the Young Rider Championships.

I started riding barrel horses as soon as I could hold on but I started my eventing career in 2018. I am hoping to go to the 5* level in eventing. I also would love to become an eventing coach as well when I am older. It means so much to me to be able to have the ability to be on the Alberta Development eventing team and now attend Young Rider Championships.

This has been a goal of mine for 2 years now but I was too young. I am so excited I am able to do it and there are so many things that this will lead me to in the future. I think this is going to be a great experience and I will learn a lot and be able to spend time with some great people.

I want to thank all of our sponsors, as well as Alberta Horse Trials, the High Performance team and my coachess for everything that they have done for me and my horse.
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Hi, My name is Michaela Aulicino; I am 18 years old from Calgary, Alberta and I’m so excited to represent Alberta at the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships with my horse Nottingham Hill, (aka Niko)!

Niko Is a 2011 KWPN and I have owned him for just over 3 years. Together Niko and I have competed up to the modified level. I am looking forward to representing Alberta at the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships, and accomplishing my longtime goal of competing at the FEI level.

I’ve been involved with Alberta High Performance as a member of the U18 and Development teams the past several years, and am so grateful for the skills I’ve learned and opportunities I’ve been given through these programs.

I look forward to representing a community I am very passionate about, and one which has provided me so much support in accomplishing my goals.
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My name is Caitlyn Sutherland, I am 19 and grew up in Priddis, Alberta. EMS Florence is a 2010 Irish Sport Horse from Gilford Ireland produced by Smith Brothers Eventing.

Florence and I are currently competing at the 2* level, with hopefully a move up to intermediate and 3* in the books for 2024.

I’m super excited to represent Alberta for young riders again this year! I love being a part of such a supportive and motivated team to pursue our goals of eventing. I’m excited to bring some new skills and experience this year for the 2* competition.

I think Young Riders is a great way to meet new people who are as motivated to succeed in this sport as we are. I’m excited to gain new experience and learn new things as we go along.