Written by: Lauren Baker
Client: United States Equestrian Team Foundation http://www.uset.com/
Release Date: 2016-11-21
Gladstone, N.J. – Nov. 21, 2016 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded the 2016 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to up-and-coming eventing rider Savannah “Woodge” Fulton of Ocala, Florida.
The Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant is awarded through the USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. Fulton, this year’s winner, has demonstrated her talent at many of the nation’s top CIC3* and CCI3* events. At just 20 years old, Fulton piloted Captain Jack to a number of impressive finishes, including a seventh place overall finish at the 2016 Bromont CCI3* and double clear at Fair Hill International CCI3*.
The Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund was established by Pirie’s family in her memory with the purpose of helping to provide financial assistance to an eventing rider who has been identified as a rider with great talent and ability to represent the United States in the future. The recipient of the grant is a person who will benefit from the opportunity of continuing their training with top coaches and competing against the world’s best horse and rider combinations in Eventing, one of three Olympic equestrian disciplines.
“I feel really honored to receive this grant,” Fulton said. “I think it’s even more special because I grew up watching Danny Warrington ride. I never had the pleasure of knowing his late wife, Amanda, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about her. It’s cool to know that there are people who believe in you, and do what they can to help young riders and our future teams be successful.”
As the recipient of the grant, Fulton, who trains with Buck Davidson, will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with her training over the next year. The young rider said her main goal will be to focus on her training and to continue to improve in dressage and show jumping. Captain Jack, a 13-year-old thoroughbred gelding, is Fulton’s main 3* mount, but she also rides a number of other horses who will benefit from the grant.
“A very good friend of Buck’s got Captain Jack off the track,” Fulton explained. “I’ve had him for just over two years, and he’s just been fabulous. I’m in an awesome program in my fifth year here with Buck, but I’m hoping this grant will allow us to get even better. I owe all of this to Buck. He was super proud of me for this.”
Looking to the future, Fulton hopes to be a part of the U.S. team internationally during her eventing career.
“I’m hoping that I can make the United States very proud someday,” Fulton said. “And make the people behind this grant proud, as well.”
Thanks to the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant, Fulton can focus continuing her training and preparing for competitions as she aims toward one day representing the United States on the international stage.
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
