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USEF Announces the 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Teams Coaches



From the USEF Communications Department

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased announce the selection of the coaches for both of the 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Teams. The coaching team of Avery Bul, Scott Matton, and Michelle McVey Haisch will oversee the training of the Stars team. Devon Garone, Kristin Logan, and Christy Parker are tasked with coaching the Stripes team. The teams will compete separately at the 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational/Test Event on April 3-6 in Perry, Ga.

Bul (New Orleans, La.) has instructed equitation riders at Cascade Stables since graduating from William Woods University in 2012. She manages the lesson program at Cascade and has coached multiple riders selected for USA Saddle Seat Teams. She played a valuable role volunteering at the 2013 and 2015 U.S. Saddle Seat Invitationals, as well as the 2014 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup competition. Bul is a member of the USEF, ASHA, UPHA, and the UPHA Young Trainers Committee.

Garone (Richmond, N.H.) is an experienced saddle seat equitation rider and instructor.  She was a member of the 2002 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team, as well as the 2000 and 2001 Invitational Teams. Garone has been the riding instructor at Fairfield South since 2007 and was selected as the UPHA Chapter 14 Instructor of the Year for 2016.  Garone is a licensed USEF official and a member of both the USEF and the UPHA Equitation committees.

Logan (Hampton Falls, N.H.) has over 35 years of riding experience and has been instructing at Taylor River Farm since its beginning in 2004. She now serves as manager of the farm's Lesson Academy with over 150 lessons scheduled each week.  Logan has trained numerous World and National Champion equitation riders in her time at Taylor River Farm. She is currently a member of USEF, AMHA, and UPHA.

Matton (Hartland, Wis.) has managed the training and lesson program as owner of Knollwood Farm since its inception in 1987. His equitation program has developed multiple riders who have been selected to USA Saddle Seat Teams and that have won the equitation Triple Crown. Matton coached the first U.S. five-gaited team to win a Gold medal during the 2002 Saddle Seat World Cup in South Africa. He received the Helen Crabtree Instructor of the Year Award in 2004 and the National Horsemen's Castleman Award for excellence in the industry in 2005. He is a Large 'R' USEF judge and previously served on the USEF Saddle Seat Equitation Committee and the ASHA Board of Directors.

McVey Haisch (Cave Creek, Ariz.) is the owner, trainer, and instructor of Desert Palms Equestrian Center. She opened the facility 14 years ago after developing her skills working for top trainers in the saddle seat industry. McVey Haisch is the instructor of riders on the Gold medal-winning 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup and 2015 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Teams. She teaches 40 lessons a week, while maintaining a training program of 10-15 horses. 

Parker (Brunswick, Ga.) has owned and operated Pine Haven Stables since 1999. She is the instructor of multiple saddle seat equitation champions and USA Saddle Seat team members. She played a valuable role during previous U.S. Invitationals and the 2014 World Cup by donating horses for the competitions and serving as a team liaison to Team South Africa. Parker is the UPHA Chapter 17 Chairperson and serves on the ASHA Marketing Committee and Charter Club Council.

The 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team efforts are supported by the USA Equestrian Trust and the United Professional Horsemen's Association. Additional support has been provided by American Jods, who will supply the 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team. To learn more about contributing to and supporting USA Saddle Seat Team efforts, go to www.usasaddleseatworldcup.org, or contact Lori Nelson, Senior Director of National Affiliate, Competition and Alliance Partner Relationships, at [email protected].

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