March 14, 2025
By BARTON HENLEY
Rutherford County Schools
Four young equestrians from Rutherford County have earned national rankings and qualified for the Youth Equestrian Development Association (YEDA) Nationals.
Kamdyn Curtis, Avery Honey and Caroline Mullins of Eagleville School, and Bailey Sullivan of Oakland Middle School, are all members of the same team coached by Jordan Dillenbeck. Each rider is ranked nationally both as a team and individually, placing them in the top 20% of competitors advancing to Nationals.
The Youth Equestrian Development Association (YEDA) National Championship is scheduled for June 5–8, 2025, at the Tri-State Expo Center in McDonald, Tennessee.
YEDA is an organization dedicated to equestrians in grades 4-12, including those with disabilities. The program focuses on developing riding skills, offering scholarship opportunities, and helping riders establish connections with collegiate programs. Through sponsorships and partnerships with professional organizations, YEDA has awarded more than $950,000 in scholarships as of the end of the 2023 season.
YEDA competitions follow a Western riding style and a draw format, meaning riders do not need to own a horse. Instead, horses are provided by teams at the competition, and riders draw their mounts at random. Points are accumulated based on placements throughout the season, leading to national rankings.
For more information on YEDA, visit showyeda.com.