Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is proud to recognize Kylynn Ghafouri and Emi Yang as the 2025 Vaulters of the Year. The 2025 Horses of the Year are as follows:  

• Individual & Squad Horse of the Year – Eldoctro 

• Pas de Deux Horse of the Year – Pino del Rio 

  
2025 Vaulters of the Year: Kylynn Ghafouri & Emi Yang 

Kylynn Ghafouri (Murrieta, Calif.) delivered an impressive and well-rounded 2025 season, marked by success on both national and international stages. Her international season began with a standout performance at the CVI Ermelo (NED), where she claimed first place in the Individual Young Female CVIY2* division aboard San Felice Z, lunged by Christina Ender (GER), earning an overall score of 8.087.  

Ghafouri continued her strong international form at the CVI Lier (BEL), securing another podium finish in the Individual Young Female CVIY2* division against a deep field of competitors. Building on her momentum, Ghafouri made her debut in the Young Vaulters division at the 2025 FEI World Championships for Juniors and Young Vaulters in Stadl Paura, Austria. Competing once again with San Felice Z, she delivered a competitive performance to finish sixth overall in the Championship Individual Young Female division.  

At the 2025 USEF/EVUSA Vaulting National Championships in California, she earned a strong overall score of 7.980 in the 2* Young Vaulter/Gold Individual Women division aboard Rotary 21, showcasing balanced performances across compulsories, technical, and freestyle phases. She closed out her season at the 2025 EVUSA Region I Championships in Utah, competing in the 3* Individual Women division, where she posted an overall score of 7.111, further solidifying her presence among the nation’s top vaulters. 

 
Emi Yang (Los Altos Hills, Calif.) put together a standout 2025 season highlighted by international podium finishes, a strong world championship performance, and consistent excellence on the U.S. domestic circuit. She opened her international campaign at the CVIJ2* Woodside (USA), where she earned a second-place finish in the Individual Junior Female division with an impressive overall score of 8.058 aboard Grasshopper AF, lunged by Sarah Twohig (USA), signaling her readiness for top-level junior competition. Yang carried that momentum overseas, competing at the CVIJ2* Flyinge (SWE), where she secured a podium finish with third place in the Individual Junior Female division, earning a 7.995 overall score aboard Havhojs Bello Nero, lunged by Johnny Fiskbaek (SWE). She also gained valuable experience competing on Quarterback Haerup, demonstrating versatility across multiple horses and lungers against a deep international field.  

Her international season culminated at the 2025 FEI World Championships for Juniors and Young Vaulters in Stadl Paura, Austria. In the Championship Individual Junior Female division, Yang delivered a composed and confident performance to finish sixth overall, earning an overall score of 8.159 aboard Havhojs Bello Nero, once again lunged by Johnny Fiskbaek.  

Domestically, Yang was equally impressive throughout the year. She captured top results at major U.S. events, including strong performances in the 2* Silver Individual Women division at both the Garrod’s Spring Classic and the Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest, where she earned an overall score of 8.019. She closed out her season at the 2025 USEF/EVUSA Vaulting National Championships, posting an outstanding overall score of 8.060 in the 2* Silver Individual Women division while competing across multiple horses, further highlighting her adaptability and technical consistency. 

 
  
2025 Individual & Squad Horse of the Year: Eldoctro  
  
Eldoctro delivered a remarkable and highly versatile 2025 season, earning distinction as both an Individual and Squad Horse of the Year through consistent excellence across levels, divisions, and disciplines.  

Lunged by owner Carolyn Bland throughout the season, Eldoctro, a 2009 KWPN gelding (VDL Indoctro x Satieza, LBH Calvados) bred by J. Feringa, proved himself an invaluable partner to junior, young, and senior vaulters alike, anchoring top performances at national and international competitions. 

Eldoctro’s season was highlighted by standout performances at FEI CVIs in the United States. At the CVI Woodside (USA), he played a pivotal role in multiple podium finishes, including first place in the CVIJ2* Individual Junior Female division with Hannah Wildermuth (USA), who earned an impressive overall score of 8.147. That same weekend, Eldoctro helped power the Junior 2 Squad* to another victory, showcasing his reliability and composure in team competition. He also supported Naomi Morgenthaler (USA) to a strong second-place finish in the CVIY2* Individual Young Female division.  

Earlier in the spring at the CVI Creswell (USA), Eldoctro demonstrated his exceptional range, contributing to three international podium finishes in a single competition. He guided Morgenthaler to first place in the Individual Young Female CVIY2* division, helped the Junior 2* Squad secure another win, and carried Emma Milito (USA) to a second-place finish in the CVI3* Senior Female division, underscoring his ability to perform at the highest levels of the sport.  

Eldoctro was a cornerstone of success throughout the West Coast competition circuit. He anchored top performances at premier events including the Garrod’s Spring Classic, Mozart Memorial Vaulting Classic, Pacific Cup Challenge, and Woodside Vaulters Spring Fest, consistently earning strong horse scores across Individual Women, Young Vaulter, and Squad divisions. His steady rhythm and adaptability allowed a wide range of vaulters, including Naomi Morgenthaler, Emma Milito, Emily Rose, Margaret Long, and numerous junior athletes, to deliver confident performances.  

Eldoctro’s season culminated at the 2025 USEF/EVUSA National Vaulting Championships, where he once again demonstrated his championship-caliber consistency. Competing across Senior 3, 2 Silver, 1* Bronze*, and 2 B Squad divisions, he earned standout horse scores in both compulsories and freestyle phases, helping multiple athletes and teams deliver podium-worthy performances at the sport’s premier national event. 
  
2025 Pas de Deux Horse of the Year: Pino del Rio 
 
Pino del Rio, owned by Julie Divita, delivered an exceptional 2025 season as a top partner in Pas de Deux competition, earning recognition as Pas de Deux Horse of the Year. Throughout the year, Pino del Rio, a 2004 Westphalian gelding (Pik Labionics x Donnabella, Don Williams), bred by Elfi Korte & Willi Martina, provided the rhythm and reliability required for elite pair performances, serving as the foundation for repeated podium finishes across the West Coast’s most competitive events. 

Pino del Rio’s Pas de Deux season was anchored by the successful partnership of Yumiko Idehara and Audrey Garrahan, who consistently delivered confident and technically sound performances aboard him. The pair opened their season at the Vaulting Showcase in Livermore, Calif. with a victory in the 2* Pas de Deux division, highlighted by steady freestyle scores and a composed overall performance. 

Momentum continued at the Garrod’s Spring Classic where Idehara and Garrahan earned a second-place finish in the 2* Pas de Deux division, demonstrating growth and refinement as the season progressed. Pino del Rio and the pair returned to the top of the podium at the Pacific Cup Challenge, capturing first place with strong freestyle performances that reflected the horse’s consistent cadence and dependability under pressure. 

The partnership reached its peak at the 2025 USEF/EVUSA National Vaulting Championships. Idehara and Garrahan delivered a standout performance to claim first place in the 2* Pas de Deux division, earning an impressive overall score of 8.059, the highest Pas de Deux score of their season and a fitting culmination of their year. 
  
 
If you have any questions about the Vaulter and Horses of the Year Awards, please contact Steven Morrissey, Managing Director, Sports Logistics & Non-Olympic Disciplines, at [email protected].   
  
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