ROAD TO THE TOP

Left: RTTT athletes Carlee McCutcheon and Trent McGee. Photo by Isabel Kurek Right: Carlee McCutcheon and Opaline Ter Goes. Photo by CSM Photo

Road to the Top is more than just a program—it’s a powerful initiative to shape the future of show jumping by providing talented young riders with unparalleled access to mentorship, resources, and top-tier training and education. Founded by Katie Prudent to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity, this program has recently completed its inaugural year.

Top professionals, such as Laura Kraut, Margie Engle, Beezie Madden, Don Stewart, McLain Ward, Philip Richter, and Robert Ridland, under- stand the growing challenges that young riders face—soaring costs, limited access, and a lack of mentorship.

“There needs to be a pathway for talented young riders who have roadblocks,” says McLain Ward. That’s the mission behind Road to the Top (RTTT), a program led by some of the sport’s most respected names, committed to guiding the next generation of elite professionals.

Founder Katie Prudent explains, “The young struggling professional trying to get to the top is going to need some help, and that’s what I’d like to do. I’d like to get them things they can’t get on their own.” The goal is to provide these riders with access and exposure to the highest level of show jumping under the best guidance and support, thereby opening doors to their future and alleviating many of the obstacles they face.

Sissy Wickes, Executive Director of Road to the Top, acknowledges that everyone in the industry is aware of the sport’s financial burdens, and she was inspired by Olympians and top professionals who wanted to help. She shares their belief that the next generation of American riders should be selected based on talent. Wickes also believes there is a critical gap for riders who excelled as juniors and have turned professional but need support and opportunities to reach the level where they can be noticed and selected for Nations Cup Teams by Robert Ridland, USET’s Chef d’Equipe.

With an eye on preserving the U.S.’s legacy in international show jumping, the program provides rising talent with the exposure, mentorship, and resources they need to succeed. “I had the best years of my life when I rode on the U.S. Equestrian Team,” Prudent recalls, “and I want to give back.”

Right: Katie Prudent Photo by: CSM Photo

HOW IT WORKS

As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, RTTT is committed to identifying and developing promising young show-jump- ing riders. Applicants undergo a rigorous process, which includes written responses detailing their achievements and goals in the sport, and their motivation for applying. They must also submit letters of recommendation and riding videos and participate in an in-person interview.

Sissy Wickes reviews the applications first and then passes them to the Selection Advisory Committee, which includes Katie Prudent, Laura Kraut, Margie Engle, Don Stewart, Beezie Madden, and Schuyler Riley. “The ideal candidate is a young professional who has shown talent, grit, and ambition and decided to dedicate their life to the sport of show jumping,” Wickes explains. Once accepted, riders are paired with a mentor and provided with approximately three horses to train and compete.

Fully immersed in the demands of top-level sport, the RTTT riders travel globally with their mentors, learning not only training and competition, but also horse care and management from a wide network of professionals, including blacksmiths and veterinarians.

The professionals who mentor RTTT riders do so entirely voluntarily. “They train gratis,” says Sissy. “They give their time, treasure, and talent to this program with no compensation.”

The horses are generously lent to RTTT and boarded with mentor trainers at reduced rates. The program covers board, travel, and competition expenses. Horses vary in experience; some are seasoned competitors, while others are green or more difficult rides, providing riders with vital experience in developing young horses and managing more complex rides.

CURRENT PROGRAM AND RIDERS

The first two riders selected for Road to the Top, Carlee McCutcheon and Trent McGee, are now wrapping up their first year. Though young, both earned their place through exceptional talent and determination. Laura Kraut was struck by Carlee’s composure under pressure, noting, “She is a rider that if you put her under the gun, under the pressure, she could deliver.” Katie Prudent described Trent as “determined to be something in the horse business and ride the best he could ride.”

A key focus of the program is developing versatility, and both riders have gained experience on a wide range of horses. Under Laura’s guidance, Carlee has deepened her technical skills and mental resilience, calling the emphasis on mental preparation one of the most valuable aspects of her experience.

Trent’s ability to understand and adapt to each horse has grown significantly. “I can now quickly adjust or figure out what a horse needs, whether in their preparation or how I compete with them in the show ring,” he says. Katie adds, “He has taken in each experience with determination, kindness with the horse, and the realization that he will figure it out.”

Beyond riding, the program prepares athletes for the business side of the sport and how to confidently present oneself, Sissy Wickes explains, “You have to develop relationships with owners, know how to sell yourself, and how to run a business. It’s not just riding lessons all day.” Margie Engle echoes this: “Being a rider isn’t all that goes into it; you do have to learn the business sense.”

There’s no set timeline for riders in the program—Carlee and Trent will continue until they’re ready to go out on their own, whether getting a job within another elite rider’s program or starting their own operations. Meanwhile, RTTT recently awarded young rider Skylar Wireman a grant to join Laura Kraut in Europe for the summer of 2025. The foundation will fund her training, travel, and competition as she gains valuable international experience.

FUELING THE FUTURE: FUNDING ROAD TO THE TOP

Fundraising is vital for Road to the Top’s ability to grow and support more aspiring riders. The foundation depends on both financial contributions and horse donations to provide selected athletes with access to top-level training, resources, and competitive opportunities. Recent fundraising events have taken place at premier venues, such as Thermal, Upperville, and Wellington, with upcoming events planned for Traverse City and the Hamptons.

Sissy Wickes says she finds genuine purpose in the fundraising aspect of her role. “I love having conversations about how Road to the Top is investing in the future of the sport,” she shares. “As we raise funds, we will expand to include more athletes, more mentors, and turn this into a national program.”

A key pillar of the program is the extraordinary generosity of its mentor riders, some of the biggest names in show jumping, who train the selected athletes entirely free of charge. These professionals understand how difficult it has become for talented riders to break into the sport, and they want to pay it forward. “They recognize that in today’s world, they might not have made it to the elite level without help,” Sissy explains. “They want to give back and honor the gifts they’ve been given, the rewards of this sport, and their love for the horse.”

Support for RTTT is not just a donation—it’s an investment in the future of American show jumping. With continued backing from the equestrian community, the foundation aims to expand its reach and ensure that more promising riders have the opportunity to rise, regardless of financial limitations.

GOALS FOR SHAPING FUTURE PROFESSIONALS

After their time with Road to the Top, the goal is for each rider to step confidently into a professional career equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience to succeed at the highest levels of show jumping. The program aims to produce not only elite athletes, but also future trainers, international competitors, and horse producers who will help shape the next generation of the sport.

“The important thing for us is to make sure we have impacted these riders to the point where they can take what they have learned and start to build a program of their own,” says Wickes. Ideally, graduates leave with the ability to secure sponsorships, attract horse owners, pursue positions with top professionals, and rely on the relationships they’ve built through the program.

“The mission of Road to the Top is to carry out the legacy of American show jumping and to keep that emblem of the pinque coat standing on the podium for generations to come,” Sissy emphasizes. She hopes the program inspires similar initiatives in the future, noting that other Olympic sports often have clearer, more structured pipelines for developing top athletes. As Laura Kraut succinctly puts it, “The hope is that these riders take our place on podiums.”

After their time with Road to the Top, the goal is for each rider to step confidently into a professional career equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience to succeed at the highest levels of show jumping. The program aims to produce not only elite athletes, but also future trainers, international competitors, and horse producers who will help shape the next generation of the sport.

“The important thing for us is to make sure we have impacted these riders to the point where they can take what they have learned and start to build a program of their own,” says Wickes. Ideally, graduates leave with the ability to secure sponsorships, attract horse owners, pursue positions with top professionals, and rely on the relationships they’ve built through the program.

“The mission of Road to the Top is to carry out the legacy of American show jumping and to keep that emblem of the pinque coat standing on the podium for generations to come,” Sissy emphasizes. She hopes the program inspires similar initiatives in the future, noting that other Olympic sports often have clearer, more structured pipelines for developing top athletes. As Laura Kraut succinctly puts it, “The hope is that these riders take our place on podiums.”

To read this article in the digital issue of the magazine, click here. To help support Road to the Top’s mission, click here