USET Foundation Performance Pathway Jumping Grant Recipients Help Capture Team Gold at Youth Nations Cup™ Final

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation congratulates the U.S. Young Rider jumping squad of Mia Bagnato, Alexa Elle Lignelli, Carlee McCutcheon, Olivia Sweetnam, and Skylar Wireman along with Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski, on winning team gold at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Final 2025 in Lier, Belgium, on September 18-21.

The U.S. athletes sealed the gold medal in emphatic style in the Young Rider category. On the first of three days of competition, the U.S. team dominated with four clear rounds and followed up with a close second place on day two. On the final day of competition, three textbook clear rounds from Wireman (Barclino B), Sweetnam (Epic), and Lignelli (Xo Zadora) meant that anchor rider McCutcheon (Aralyn Blue) did not need to jump as the team score of zero faults could not be improved upon.

Two members of the Young Rider team, Wireman and Bagnato, were awarded the USET Foundation Performance Pathway Jumping Grant to help offset costs associated with competition, including rider and groom travel, horse transport, coaching, and training. The Performance Pathway Jumping Grant, launched in 2025, aims to ensure that financial barriers do not hinder U.S. jumping talent from representing their country. It is awarded to promising young jumping athletes to help offset costs associated with participating in select US Equestrian (USEF) High Performance Jumping Programs.

“To represent the U.S. team at the Youth Nations Cup™ Final was a dream of mine for a very long time, and after several years trying to qualify, I finally made it in my last year of age eligibility,” said the 20-year-old Wireman from Bonsall, CA. “To win gold my first — and last — year was a great accomplishment. The experience of being there and competing in a championship as a team is an opportunity that doesn’t come around often. The atmosphere of the competition was incredible, and our U.S. team was amazing and so supportive.

“Without the Performance Pathway Grant, I wouldn’t have been able to afford the flights to Europe and back for my horse,” continued Wireman. “The USET Foundation plays a vital role in the sustainability of equestrian sports because without their help and support, it wouldn’t be possible to send all of our U.S. teams around the world to compete and earn our spot in championships like the Olympics.”

Although 19-year-old Bagnato was an alternate for the Young Rider team, she scored an individual win in the 1.45m Big Tour class on Cordiamo.

“Being able to represent the U.S. at the Youth Nations Cup™ Final was a great learning experience, and for the team to come home with gold was unreal,” enthused the athlete from Fishkill, NY. “The USET Foundation Performance Pathway Jumping Grant played a huge role in my being able to go to the Finals. Flying the horses all the way there is expensive and not something I have the money for. I am so grateful for the support.

“Being able to compete at this level is something I only ever dreamed of,” added Bagnato. “The USET Foundation plays such an important part in assisting younger horsemen and women to gain experience and exposure. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that there are things you can’t do simply because you can’t afford them, so having a grant like this, making it real and helping you out, is incredible.”

The FEI Jumping Nations Cup Youth Series was launched in 2018 as a platform for countries to showcase their young talent and give future stars of the sport experience in international team competition.

“We are delighted to see the Performance Pathway Jumping Grant Program fulfilling its purpose so effectively,” said USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie B. Jenkins. “Supporting these talented young jumping athletes as they traveled to Belgium and watching them return with a team gold medal is exactly the kind of impact we envisioned when the program was created. It’s gratifying to know that this funding can help open doors and provide opportunities for the future of U.S. jumping.”

As the philanthropic partner to USEF, the USET Foundation’s sole mission is to ensure athletes and horses participating in USEF High Performance Programs have the resources necessary to achieve and maintain podium placings on the greatest international stages. Integral to this effort is supporting talented young athletes as they progress along USEF’s High Performance Pathway.

The USET Foundation Performance Pathway Jumping Grant Program is made possible thanks to Dr. Jennifer Gates Nassar, Nayel Nassar, and their team at Evergate Stables. For more information about the USET Foundation Performance Pathway Jumping Grant Program or to apply, visit https://www.uset.org/performance-pathway-grant-program/.

About The United States Equestrian Team Foundation
The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation, the philanthropic partner of US Equestrian (USEF), is a non-profit organization that helps support U.S. equestrian athletes and horses competing in the seven international disciplines. Funding from the USET Foundation, made through generous donations of all levels, goes to USEF to support USEF High Performance Pathway Programs that offer opportunities such as training sessions, developing athlete international competition tours, horse and athlete development grants, travel grants and more to help ensure U.S. equestrian competitive excellence at the highest levels. Learn more at www.uset.org.