2022 Recipients

West Palms Events is delighted to announce the winners of our 2022 Michael Nyuis Foundation Grant. We received a record number of applications this year. Thank you to our committee members, who worked hard to review nearly 90 applications.

In 2015, West Palms Events established the Michael Nyuis Grant Program to provide young riders with financial support to lessen the burden of entry and show fees. Applicants submit a brief application with a summary of their equestrian experience and two videos, one explaining why they should receive the grant and one showing their best riding skills.

The 2022 judging committee included Jill Hamilton, Karrie Rufer, Mavis Spencer, and West Palms Events CEO Dale Harvey.

“We had an incredible group of candidates,” Dale said. “There were so many passionate and inspirational young people. We believe that the recipients we selected are very deserving riders with the potential to contribute to our sport in many ways – not just in the show ring but throughout the equestrian community.”

Adrina Player

Age: 15

Hometown: Compton, CA

Goals for 2022: My goals for 2022 are to get to the 1.10m level, own a horse, learn a new skill, be
the best I can be, and find a sponsor.

Amanda Gomez

Age: 18

Hometown: Norco, CA

Goals for 2022: I hope to be competitive in the U25 and grand prix classes. I also want to keep developing my young horses throughout the year.

Daniella Sternberg

Age: 21

Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA

Goals for 2022:I am excited to move my 9 year old into the 1.40/1.45m classes this year and bring my other young horses along. I hope to compete in some USHJA National and International Hunter Derbies as well!

Elyse Harris

Age: 14

Hometown: Palm Desert, CA

Goals for 2022: My horse related goals for 2022 are to be able to compete in more upper level classes, medals, and derbies. I also aim to move into the 2’9”-3’ hunter and jumper rings. I would love to be able to show in more shows, especially ones outside of California! Leasing and owning my own horse for the first time is a dream of mine. I also want to learn more about the operations behind horse shows and equestrian facilities.

Eniko Barber

Age: 14

Hometown: Temecula, CA

Goals for 2022: My goals are to make it to the 1.20m by the end of the year and to make it to young rider trials. 

Kassidy Keith

Age: 23

Hometown: Aldergrove, BC, Canada

Goals for 2022:My goals for 2022 are to start competing in more FEI events with my mare and to make the developing Canadian nations cup team. I also hope to step my young stallion up to the 1.40m and show him in the u25 divisions in Canada this year.

Lauren Kolbe

Age: 17

Hometown: Hidden Hills, CA

Goals for 2022: My big goals for 2022 are to qualify for the North American Young Rider Championships (NAYC) and the Prix De States. I also hope to compete in a few grand prix classes at West Palms and qualify for the indoor medal finals, such as the ASPCA Maclay, the Dover/USEF Hunt Seat, and other local medal finals.

Londyn Wright

Age: 15

Hometown: Norco, CA

Goals for 2022:My goals for 2022 are to get young horses in the show ring to gain experience. I am also working toward competing at NAYC on my new horse and getting more confident on him in the show ring!

Mason Milo

Age: 14

Hometown: Rocklin, CA

Goals for 2022: My goals for 2022 are to start my new horse in the 1.20m and get to 1.30m by the end of the year. I would also like to qualify for the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championship and the USHJA National Championships.

Morganne Craig

Age: 14

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Goals for 2022: My horse-related goals for this year are to successfully compete in the 1.10m jumpers and to become eligible for the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championship.

Noah Nelson

Age: 16

Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA

Goals for 2022: My equestrian goals include qualifying for and participating in the Junior Hunter 3’6” National Championship as well as the Junior Championship (NAJC) at 1.40m. 

Skylar Wireman

Age: 17

Hometown: Bonsall, CA

Goals for 2022: My goals for 2022 include qualifying and competing at NAYC and Prix De States. Some of my other goals are to be competitive in the 1.50m classes and start competing in the 1.55m classes. I also plan to compete at all of the indoor medal finals. 

Sophia Verabian

Age: 17

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Goals for 2022: My biggest horse related goals for 2022 are to move up and get consistent in the junior divisions while I also get stronger in my position.

Tiffany Geere

Age: 15

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Goals for 2022: I look forward to being able to be in the show ring more this year to give my horse more experience. My goals for this year are to qualify for NHS finals, do at least two equitation finals, and to more consistently compete in the 3’6” equitation.

Tobi Benedict

Age: 18

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Goals for 2022: My horse-related goals for 2022 are to gain more experience in the show ring and be successful in the 1.10-1.15m jumpers. I also hope to compete in a 1.20m class by the end of the year.

Zoie Brogdon

Age: 17

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Goals for 2022: My equestrian goals are to become eligible and compete at the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships at the 1.20m – 1.25m level. I also want to continue to compete in the Equitation arena and hopefully make one of the Equitation medal finals.

Molly Stewart

Age: 18

Hometown: Carlsbad, CA

Goals for 2022: My goals for 2022 are to continue getting mileage in the hunter and derby ring, to possibly bring along a young horse, and to begin my road to a professional career in the sport.

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