The Progressive Show Jumping
  Junior Medal Finals Winners

Who They Are & Where They Are Today
PART ONE

In 1992, Progressive Show Jumping, Inc. (PSJ) first offered an equitation class that junior riders could compete in all year and improve upon their skills.   “We envisioned the class resembling the USEF Medal and ASPCA Maclay with a year end challenge,” offered Cathy Cram, PSJ co-founder. “We believe this medal class affords riders a prestigious accomplishment to include on their college resumes.  In fact, several colleges consider wins at the PSJ Finals as important factors on selecting their equestrian teams.”  Winners of the PSJ Medal receive scholarship funds toward their selected college and/or continuing education.  “Trainers are also rewarded,” adds Cram.  “They really look forward to the bonus before the holidays.”

Recently PSJ reached out to the previous winners as we thought it would be interesting to share with you who they are and what has transpired in each of their lives since their win.

This article is the first of a series that will be published in the coming months and we hope you enjoy the read.

1992 ~ Elizabeth Cate Grove –Inaugural Winner

“I was excited about winning and thrilled at how well my new horse, Murray, and I were getting along.  The PSJ and Palmetto (circuits) were starting to grow rapidly, at that time, and it was great to see the “C” show medals becoming important.”

Elizabeth continued showing “Murray” through the juniors and amateurs at the “A” and “C” shows during high school, as well as horses and ponies for other people. “I went on to ride at Clemson University, and spent my college summers as a working student for several different trainers, and traveling to horse shows.” 
               
When Elizabeth started graduate school in 2000, she decided to train some horses for people to “put money in her pocket.”  “It was at that time that I gave up my amateur status and began riding as a professional. When I finished my graduate work at USC, I was enjoying the horses so much I chose to stick with it.”  Elizabeth now trains and teaches at Buckeye Farms, outside of Columbia, SC.  She has been married for almost seven years and the mother of two young boys.

Elizabeth’s advice to riders is “Work hard. Riding isn’t for weenies. You get out what you put in. Horses are breathing, thinking, loving animals that need you to be their friend. If you can get in your horse’s head and think like him/her, you will be a better team. Have fun, learn from your mistakes, and don’t make excuses.”

2000 ~ Angela McFawn

“I won the PSJ Medal in 2000 and it was my last junior year.  I never had a ‘medal/eq horse’ so I qualified on a fluke during the summer on a catch ride.” Angela admits that she used the medals as a warm-up.  “I had just started my freshman year of college and rode a college owned horse, Jean Claude, for the final.  The finals show was the first time I had ever ridden him.”   She adds, “Winning was very special for me.  It was the only Jr medal final I was ever able to compete in due to horses, etc.  All of my riding mentors were there that weekend:  My Mom (Teresa), Mary Jackson (who I rode with as a junior), and Debbi White and Peggy McElveen (my trainers at St. Andrews).”
 
Angela went to St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC.   While at St. Andrews,she competed on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), American National Riding Commission (ANRC) Nationals, and rode on their “A” show team.  In IHSA, she qualified for Regionals/Zones every year and was 8th at Nationals in Individual Open over fences her senior year, 2004.  In ANRC's Angela rode on the National Championship Teams of 2001, 2002, and Reserve National Championship team in 2004. 

After college Angela accepted a riding/teaching fellowship position at Sweet Briar College where she coached IHSA and Field Riding.  “I coached Sweet Briar's IHSA team to 3rd place in the team competition at IHSA Nationals in 2006.  I learned a ton from the riding staff at Sweet Briar:  Shelby French, Mimi Wroten, Jon Conyers, and Glenn Moody.  I also achieved my ANRC Level 4 rider rating.”
 
Angela returned home in 2007 to work at Three Fox Farm, LLC in Blythewood, SC, which is co-owned by Dorothy Swinson and Teresa MacFawn.  “I am very lucky to work at such a nice farm, have a lot of wonderful students and bring along project horses.  We show at PSJ, SCHJA Palmetto, and “A” rated shows.”
 
Angela’s advice to future finalists is to work hard, ride a lot and enjoy every minute of it!  “Hard work and a positive attitude get you a long way in the horse industry.” 

2007 ~ Melanie Carraway

“Winning the Medal Finals was such a blur! I think it must have been because of my nerves,” laughs Melanie.  Her favorite memory of it was going into the ring with absolutely no expectation of winning and just loving her horse more than ever. “We laid down one of our best trips, and I was so proud. When I went over the course with Mrs. Mary Ann, I told her how happy I was, and she said, ‘It's not over yet.’  My test went great, and my next favorite memory was the rush the victory gallop gave me! It was my greatest riding accomplishment at the time!”

Since winning, Melanie took on more challenges and worked toward recruitment for a college team. “I knew the only place I wanted to ride was the (University of Georgia) UGAand Mrs. Mary Ann supported me through the process along with my parents.” Melanie was recruited and rode a flat exhibition her freshman year.  She won easily over the Fresno State girl with a score of 82-69.

“Winning the medal definitely boosted my confidence, and also my riding resume,” commented Melanie.  “It was the first step to having a great final junior year where I was second in the SCHJA Palmetto Finals and also in the SCHJA Governor's Cup Finals. Itgave the push I needed to be able to continue succeeding.” 

Melanie strives to be a strong competitor on the UGA Equestrian Team as well as graduating from UGA with a major in English. “I plan to go to law school after my first four years.”

Melanie’s advice to future junior medal finalists is to understand that every finalist earned his/her spot to compete, and that every person has a chance of winning. “Have confidence, have fun, and enjoy your horse, because college comes way too fast and your junior days are some of the best.”

Stayed tuned for the next group of riders
who will be featured in this PSJ series.