By Betsy Burke Parker

As far as an investment strategy, American steeplechasing's unique young rider training experience to Ireland gets a gold star rating. 

From the first International Developing Rider trip in 2014 to today’s group (which, at press time, were just returning from Ireland), the unique program continues to pay huge dividends to the sport. 

Co-founder Sam Slater says the infusion of knowledge gathered by young riders exploring Irish racing, steeplechasing, bloodstock and culture benefits the domestic product in myriad ways. Executive director of the sponsoring Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation, Alissa Norman agrees, explaining that the trickle-down process could takes years, decades even. 

But it’ll be worth it. 

“The ultimate goal of this trip is to help grow the sport. We're delighted to retain a vast majority of our participants as owners, supporters and general steeplechase enthusiasts,” Norman says. “For our sport – any sport, to be successful, we need more up-and-coming owners, officials, even fans.”

The past performance lines tell the tale: most of steeplechasing's owners, trainers, officials and sport executives of the future – even turf writers – begin their development as junior and amateur riders. Former, and all-time, leading NSA owners George Strawbridge (Augustin Stables) and Irv Naylor had standout careers as amateur-owner-riders. Current NSA leading owner Mark McMillan (Leipers Fork Steeplechasers) rode on the old Midwest circuit. Leading trainer Leslie Young (then Falini) started in pony racing. Turf writer Sean Clancy started on the junior race circuit, went on to win an NSA title (1998) before going on to win last year’s Eclipse Award a news feature.  

“The hope is that once these young folks get a taste of racing in Ireland, they bring a sliver of that knowledge and enthusiasm back to the States and use it to support our sport,” Norman says. 

While we’re waiting to hear about the 2024 trip, here’s a check-in with the prior program participants.  

Jacob Crotts

When he did the Ireland exchange 10 years ago, Crotts had already determined that a jockey career was unlikely and was already considering vet school. But he loved steeplechasing and wanted to remain involved, and he recognized there were many ways to stay in the sport.

“It was a hard decision because for me that meant having to step away from racing for nearly a decade while at Clemson and University of Georgia,” Crotts says. “But, fast-forward to today, and it’s been so affirming to be here at Piedmont (Equine Clinic in Marshall, Virginia, where the-now-Dr. Crotts has completed a one-year internship and recently signed a one-year fellowship.),

“It got me back involved with steeplechasing in a meaningful way, both with our clients and working the races and point-to-points, very full circle.”

Now 27, Crotts grew up near Camden, South Carolina, but he had no ties to the horse world until a chance encounter at Springdale when he was 8. 

Crotts' social media from 2014 highlights visits to Coolmoore Stud, Galway Races, Scarteen Hounds, visits to retired Grand National winners with Ted Walsh, the Curragh and the amazing gardens at Sam Slater and Lornie Forbes' Cahervillahow.

“I’d just started riding lessons,” Crotts recalls. “My dad drove my brother and I by Springdale Training Center one morning and stopped by the viewing stand on Knights Hill Road. Another lady, turns out it was Kassie Kingsley, was there, too. 

“We got to talking about my new interest in riding and horses, and she demanded that we come to the barn and meet her son Arch. She insisted.

“Arch stopped what he was doing and talked to us for an hour, this right in the middle of his workday. We went to the Carolina Cup a few months later, and I was hooked on steeplechasing.

“I started hanging around the track on the weekends, hotwalking, mucking stalls and, eventually, galloping for him.”

Crotts hunted with Camden and showed on the local circuit. In 2013, he rode Allison Fulmer's Plum Brush in a field masters ‘chase at the Virginia Gold Cup meet. 

That led to an invitation from Willie McCarthy (NSA champion rider in 2014), to go to Fair Hill, Maryland that summer to ride for former Olympic show jumping gold medalist and classic-winning flat trainer Michael Matz. 

He participated in the U.S. Pony Racing Camp with Erin Swope, Avery Smith, Taylor Leatherman, Sabrina Brown and John Brophy, then in 2014, Crotts, Smith and Swope were selected for the first Ireland trip. 

“I think we aged (program director Regina Welsh) a decade in that one week, but we had an absolute blast. We spent time in the yards of Ted Walsh, Gordon Elliott and many others. We toured Coolmore and saw Galileo, did some hound walking with the Scarteen, met Grand National winner Papillon, visited the Curragh, saw pony racing and did lots of sightseeing. 

“The highlight for me was going to the Galway Festival. Barry Geraghty had agreed to meet with us that morning, on the condition that we'd run the course with him because he needed to lose a pound that morning. None of the others wanted to run (very far, but) I was fit from high school cross-country, so I ended up running three circuits of the racecourse with him that morning. 

“I remember pinching myself in complete disbelief I was there. This kid from Sumter. No family ties to this great sport. And here I was, hanging out with one of the sport's best."

During undergrad and vet school, Crotts rode rarely but he never stopped following racing. He took a two-week shadowing externship at Piedmont Equine – full-care ambulatory service and a surgery located between Great Meadow and Glenwood Park. “It was incredible to be suddenly back in hunt country and steeplechase horses again. I ran into dozens of people I’d met in Camden, Fair Hill, on the Ireland trip and everywhere in between.

“It felt like a sign that I was supposed to be here. It’s been so rewarding and a real full-circle experience after a decade ago leaving racing and hoping I'd find my way back.”

Crotts worked this spring as a course vet at several Virginia point-to-points and at the NSA Middleburg Spring Races. 

“In terms of the future, I'm hoping to stay involved with steeplechasing long-term in some capacity. My job here as a young vet at Piedmont is a busy one, and being an equine veterinarian is demanding, but I'm hoping that as I establish myself and gain some additional free time, I can get back into foxhunting as well. 

“If I could go back in time to when I was a kid, or helping teach Arch’s daughter Taylor her diagonals, and you told me I’d end up here, I would not believe you. I feel really lucky.”

After vet school at the University of Georgia, Crotts moved back to steeplechase country - he's currently a Fellow with Piedmont Equine.

Erin Swope

Now 25, the Westminster, Maryland native came into American racing in a most unique way. 

“I was adopted when I was 6 months old from South Korea. My dad (farrier, steeplechase horseman and hunt master Ben Swope) flew over and brought me home mid-racing season. 

“I was the second baby in my family to be adopted from there, my aunt and uncle being the first to adopt my cousin. My brother is also adopted from there as well as three cousins.

“The first summer I could drive, I was going out to Jonathan Sheppard's (for) my first galloping job. 

“My senior year of high school, my school allowed students to complete an internship program of their choice, and for mine, I was going out to Alicia Murphy's and Billy Santoro's farm to gallop. It was the months leading up to the spring steeplechase season, and that was a lot of fun for me.”

After high school, Swope galloped for Mary Eppler at Pimlico. 

“Working for her taught me so much about galloping at the track and how different the flat world is from steeplechasing. I learned everything there from breaking out of the gate, to breezing, to gearing up babies. I even was able to spend a couple months filling in as assistant trainer for her and going to the races every weekend.”

She earned a bachelors in business administration and finance from Towson. Her last semester, Swope did an internship with the Maryland Horse Foundation. MHF operates in the same office as the Maryland Horse Breeders Association. 

Following her internship, she signed on as MHBA bookkeeper. “That job was awesome because not only did I get to learn a ton of professional skills, but I also was able to remain working in the industry that I loved and be involved with other aspects of the company such as planning for Maryland Million Day, helping to organize the Maryland Thoroughbred Career Program, and watch the Maryland Horse Library and Education Center being built. 

“Working at the MHBA was also nice because they allowed me to continue galloping, so I would get up and head into Pimlico every morning before coming to the office.”

“There are so many memories I have from the trip to Ireland, including touring Coolmore Stud, chatting with some amazing horsemen including jockey Nina Carberry, watching morning training at the Curragh and watching the pony races – very different from pony racing here. We rode out for some amazing trainers including Fozzy Stack and Ted Walsh, and got to meet Grand National winner Papillon.

“I think it is awesome that so many of us that went on the trip are still involved in the horse industry. I think that the fact that many of us are still involved is a huge testament to how good of a job the selection committee does at picking the best candidates. 

“The kids who are chosen to go are truly the standout kids that have shown they have intentions to continue on with racing or horses, so it doesn't surprise me at all that most of the people are still involved.

“I hope pony racing entries continue to stay full and more kids get involved. And I hope the (trips help) keep the racing industry thriving.”

The Virginia Gold Cup Races used to featured Junior Field Master Chases as part of their card. In 2013 the top three finishers (Emme Fullilove, Erin Swope and Jacob Crotts) all were selected to travel to Ireland in 2014 or 2015. Avery Smith also rode in this particular race but pulled up. ©Douglas Lees

Avery Smith

I really enjoyed the trip to Ireland. I did ride a few (NSA and point-to-point) races in spring, 2015.

Regina Welsh connected me with Keri Brion when she worked for Johnathan Sheppard. She and I bought a horse called Dugan from Sheppard's barn. 

I rode him in a couple flat races, however ended up selling him when before I went to college at Trinity in Dublin for art history. 

I was there for five years. I participated in the college’s horse riding team a bit, and went foxhunting and rode out for Mimi Schmitz (in Maryland) when I’d return for summer and winter breaks. 

From Ireland, I moved to London where I got my masters in interior design history. 

My last year in London, I decided to switch from interior design to pursue cooking, and have never looked back. I worked at St. John Bread & Wine (in London.) I moved back to the States in March. 

I’m living and cooking in New York City. 

Unfortunately, I have not been on a horse for quite some time."

Juliette Chalmers

I did one year and one month of college right after the Ireland trip, (but) in January, 2016 I started galloping at Turfway Park. 

I made my way to Churchill where I did the Kentucky-Florida circuit for a few years – worked for D. Wayne Lukas, Rusty Arnold, Mark Hennig. In 2020, during Covid, I moved back to Maryland and ended up with Niall Saville in Fair hill for about a year before settling in New York at Belmont Park in spring, 2021 where I’ve stayed. With stints in Saratoga for the meet. 

I’ve worked for Bill Mott, David Duggan and Anthony Dutrow. 

I just spent seven months in Barcelona preparing for entrance exams for Spanish universities and am planning on going back to school in 2025.  

I’m currently in Saratoga working for Barclay Tagg.

The flat racing world seemed like it could take me more places and allow me to meet more people. 

I went to South Korea for the Korea Cup as a groom for Lone Sailor (trained by Tom Amos) and exercise rider for Harvey Wallbanger (trained by Kenny McPeek).  

That was (another) experience of a lifetime.

I don’t think I’ll ever feel ready to leave the racing world, but my goal is to get a degree in law (and) human rights and become a legal consultant for NGOs working in Latin America defending the rights of indigenous communities. 

I like the jump racing world, but it’s a little too small. That being said, I very much admire the horsemanship of steeplechase trainers and wish we could get more of that ideology on the flat track.

2014 Ireland trip participants Juliette Chalmers, Jacob Crotts and Avery Smith meeting Betty Moran's 2000 English Grand National winner, PAPILLON, with trainer Ted Walsh. Erin Swope was, we think, still riding a set for Walsh.

Touring the Curragh with course manager Pat Kelly (l-r are Chalmers, Smith, Swope and Crotts)

Brittany Scampton

Rode a few NSA races in the seasons after her Irish adventure, but since 2018 she’s ridden on the flat. She’s got 49 winners of almost $1.19 million based in the mid-Atlantic region. 

Scampton in 2023

Emme Fullilove

Rode the NSA and point-to-point circuits through last spring; just returned from a year in New Zealand to work for Jack Fisher. 

Fullilove and owner Larry Levy in the paddock in 2020

©Douglas Lees

John Brophy 

Rode in point-to-point and NSA races through 2021, including four runnings of the junior Maryland Hunt Cup.

Brophy's final ride in the books is this one, on GRAND MANAN in the 2021 Grand National timber stakes.

©Tod Marks

Megan Harrigan

Rode in point-to-point races through the 2015 season. Assists with the Green Spring Valley Point to Point. Although we probably can't take the credit for it, the TGSF Ireland trip has also sparked love - Harrigan's boyfriend is 2016 Ireland trip attendee Alex Fulton.

2015 Ireland Trip participants Emme Fullilove, Brittany Scampton, Megan Harrigan and John Brophy with trainer Ted Walsh.

Alex Fulton

Rode point-to-points and NSA races through the 2018 season. Following his Ireland experience he returned to work for trainer Pat Doyle a few months.

Helps with point-to-point and NSA meet management, and operates Fulton Excavating and Fulton Farm to Table in Maryland’s hunt country. Steeplechase owner - his REASSURED trained with Mark Beecher in 2023.

Fulton's REASSURED heads to the paddock for a maiden hurdle at Great Meadow last fall.

©Tod Marks

David Pawlak 

Rode point-to-points on the flat through the 2019 season. 

Pawlak rode SMOKIN CARAQUENA (the grey horse) to a second place finish in the Novice Rider Flat at the Old Dominion Hounds P2P in 2019.

©Douglas Lees

Isabelle Bosley

Isabelle rode on the flat and over timber at point to points in 2016. Selected for the 2022 USEF Eventing Emerging Athlete Program. Trained and worked with eventer Lillian Heard from 2017 - 2024.

Joined Olympic three-day eventer Phillip Dutton’s Equestrian team last month. Bosley told Dutton’s social media team that working for the multiple gold medalist has been “fun to see a different program and how things are run. I’ve been really enjoying riding with everyone here and just getting a different perspective. 

“I’ve definitely had some tweaks to my training, and it's nice getting these fresh ideas and being able to witness a lot every day. Seeing Phillip riding around on all of his horses every day kind of keeps you sharp.”

Bosley competing at the New Jersey Horse Park in June.

©AK Dragoo

2016 Ireland Trip participants Alex Fulton, Isabelle Bosley and David Pawlak with trainer Gordon Elliott.

Skylar McKenna 

Won a half-dozen regional championships riding 2014-2022. Today, she’s assistant trainer for Jimmy Toner. 

McKenna galloping a Jimmy Toner trainee earlier this week.

Virginia Korrell 

Works for retired jockey-turned-trainer Tom Garner. She’s been super active on the NSA and point-to-point circuits with nine wins – so far, this season. She spent the winter of 2022-23 riding for trainer Andrew Slattery in Ireland - watch more about her experience HERE.

Korrell's most recent win was for trainer Richard Valentine at Radnor in May.

©Tod Marks

Chloe Hannum 

Rode point-to-point and sanctioned races through 2023, and is currently studying at Virginia Tech and applying to vet school. She rides out for her parents (Emily and Jeb Hannum) and also fox hunts. She is spending this week at Saratoga shadowing track veterinarians.

Hannum (right) battling down the stretch in the Lady Rider Timber against fellow Ireland trip participant Elizabeth Scully at the Piedmont Fox Hounds Point to Point in 2023.

©Douglas Lees

Elizabeth Scully

Won her first NSA jump race a few months after returning from her Ireland adventure, and has won 29 sanctioned and point-to-point races over the past four seasons. Following her Ireland experience she returned to work for trainer Willie Mullins for a few months in the winter. She rode on the Fegentri circuit in 2022 and 2023 and secured a win at Leopardstown.

The Loyola grad also works as a fan engagement representative for the Baltimore Orioles and also in marketing for the Maryland Steeplechase Association.

Scully's most recent ride was a second place finish on PURE COURAGE at the Virginia Gold Cup Races in May.

©Tod Marks

2019 Ireland Trip participants Skylar McKenna, Chloe Hannum, Virginia Korrell and Elizabeth Scully with jockey Rachael Blackmore. Three of the four ladies on this trip (Skylar, Virginia and Elizabeth) have ridden in the Maryland Hunt Cup.

Thomas Young 

Worked a season for Gordon Elliott in Ireland after the sponsored training trip but is back in the U.S. now working for Leslie and Paddy Young. 

Young on the shank after TOTAL JOY's win in the Van Clief stakes at Foxfield this spring.

©Tod Marks

Eliza Edwards 

Rode a half-dozen point-to-points through this spring. Spent some time galloping in the UK for top flat trainer Ralph Beckett last fall (an amazing experience, says dad Toby Edwards).

Worked this spring for the Carolina Cup Racing Association in the office, helping as horseman and officials liaison and all social media creation/production.

Working for Leslie and Paddy Young this summer but will return to Camden in the middle of August to take up her mantle in the same categories for the return of the Colonial Cup races on November 17th.

Edwards on the shank with HIGH DEFINITION at Iroquois this spring.

©Tod Marks

Taylor Kingsley 

Currently tops the international amateur jockey club – Fengentri – leaderboard. Read more about Kingsley HERE and HERE. Spent some time working for John "Shark" Hanlon in Ireland.

Kingsley's TGSF Developing Rider Trip came full circle in July - she rode Pierre Manigault's Bonnebosq in a race at Galway and the 2024 trip participants were there to cheer her on!

Kingsley, trainer Bernd Schrodl and SLAY THE DRAGON in the winner's circle in Germany on May 9.

Photo courtesy of Fegentri

2019 Ireland Trip participants Eliza Edwards, Thomas Young and Taylor Kingsley with trainer Gordon Elliott.

Scarlet Davies 

Rode on the flat and over timber this spring season. 

Davies (left) rode BRAVE DEACON in the Open Timber at the Potomac Hunt Point to Point in May.

©Robert Keller

Sophie O'Brien 

Rode a race on the flat this spring; works for two NSA trainers. 

O'Brien on the shank in the paddock at the Grand National Steeplechase Races, with trainer Joe Davies.

©Robert Keller

Camille deStanley 

Rode the Virginia point-to-point circuit this spring; works for trainer Diana McClure when not in school. 

deStanley (second from the left, purple silks) riding in the Novice Rider Flat at the Blue Ridge Point to Point this spring.

©Douglas Lees

2023 Ireland trip participants Sophie O'Brien, Scarlet Davies and Camille deStanley with jockey Sean Flannigan.

Our 2024 Ireland participants are fresh off the plane after their ten day adventure - stay tuned as we catch up with them and hear all about their experiences! SNEAK PEEK - here's Phoebe Fisher, Bev Alcock, and James Wyatt with jockey Jordon Gainford at Galway.