US Equestrian Names First 2025 FEI Endurance Elite Athletes

In a strong start to the year for endurance riding, US Equestrian has officially announced the first cohort of athletes to achieve FEI Endurance Elite Athlete status in 2025. This recognition is awarded to riders who demonstrate consistent excellence and experience across the FEI’s 1*, 2*, and 3* levels of international competition.

Elite status is earned in tiers:

• Bronze: 10 completions at the designated star level
• Silver: 20 completions
• Gold: 30 completions

The 2025 Honourees

This year’s first inductees span both senior and junior divisions, highlighting the breadth of talent across age groups in the U.S. endurance community.

Senior Athletes:

• Alex Shampoe – Awarded Bronze at both the 2* and 3* levels. Alex has long been considered one to watch, with a reputation for strategic pacing and outstanding care for her horses across international terrain.
• Heather Davis – Achieved Bronze at the 2* level. Known for her calm under pressure, Heather has steadily built her record with a string of well-managed finishes, often riding younger horses through the ranks.

Junior & Young Rider:

• Uma Kraskin – Earned Bronze at the 1* level. Uma represents the future of U.S. endurance sport, balancing competitive goals with thoughtful riding. Her recent performances have shown both maturity and promise.

While individual horse pairings were not detailed in the official announcement, each of these athletes has proven their ability to consistently partner with horses at the international level—navigating distances of up to 160km in a single day, often through tough weather and terrain.

Why This Matters

At Equitas, we often talk about rewriting the narrative—about what’s possible, about what’s seen, and about who gets celebrated. Endurance riding isn’t always in the mainstream spotlight, but it is one of the most demanding disciplines in the equestrian world. These achievements are not just about speed or medals—they’re about resilience, responsibility, and connection.

In a sport where women and young riders often excel but rarely get the visibility they deserve, recognising milestones like these is crucial. They represent more than competition—they signal progress, leadership, and the kind of determination that we want to uplift and amplify.

To Alex, Heather, and Uma—congratulations. Your efforts are seen. Your impact goes far beyond the finish line.