The following athletes have been selected to represent the NetJets U.S. Jumping Team and are listed in alphabetical order.

U.S. Team for Longines League of Nations Final

◆ Lucy Davis Kennedy (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

◆ Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.)

◆ Alex Matz (Coatesville, Pa.)

◆ Spencer Smith (Wellington, Fla.)

◆ Aaron Vale (Williston, Fla.)

Competition Information

The 2024 Longines League of Nations™ Jumping Final will take place at Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain, and feature the top eight teams from the LLN qualifying season, alongside a team representing the host nation of Spain. The Grand Prix of the City of Barcelona CSIO5* will take place on Friday, October 4, beginning at 9:00 p.m. GMT+2/3:00 p.m. ET, while the first annual Longines League of Nations Final will begin at 2:00 p.m. GMT+2/8:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, October 6.

Learn more about Longines League of Nations here.

Event Website | Schedule | Start Lists & Results

—Edited Press Release | Source: US Equestrian

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It might be enough to say “Job done, next stop Paris 2024!” but expounding on that theme, the U.S. Show Jumping Team put on a spectacular show today at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games equestrian sports venue near Quillota, Chile. Competitors jumped two rounds yesterday over designer Marina Azevedo’s (BRA) challenging, but fair, and beautifully decorated courses.

Seven of eight rounds that the U.S. Team members jumped today were “foot-perfect” with Karl Cook’s first round on Caracole de La Roque the only outlier (12 faults). McLain Ward riding Contagious, Kent Farrington riding Landon and Laura Kraut on Dorado 212 rubber stamped clean round after clean round to produce a winning team score of 12.37.

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U.S. Jumping Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland shared his thoughts after the team medal ceremony, “I think there’s a huge sense of relief with the team’s finish today. We really brought this down to the wire in terms of qualification, and the team produced today, especially with three clears in the first round and four in the second. I don’t think people have talked about how competitive the Pan American Games has become. It’s very stiff competition for all of the teams. For us, this gold is just the icing on top, because our priority was to secure our qualification [for the 2024 Paris Olympics.] So, now the team can enjoy this moment, but we have to immediately start shifting our focus and planning for Paris.”

Canada’s riders were pretty consistent as well with Tiffany Foster on Figor jumping clear in both rounds and Beth Underhill on Nikka Vd Bisschop and Amy Millar on Truman each producing one clear round and one 4-fault round. Mario Deslauriers and Emerson turned in two 4-fault rounds. Their final score was 17.62 to capture silver.

Brazil grabbed the bronze with 20.32 and Mexico finished fourth on 22.58. The three open spots to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games available here went to the USA, Canada and Mexico, since Brazil was already qualified. Argentina finished fifth, Colombia sixth, Chile seventh, and Uruguay eighth.

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Kraut talked about the pressure of the day, “This day was extremely nerve-wracking, but we had a very good first-round performance. But, you still know that it can all go away with the second round and two mediocre rounds could have lost it for us. I was so relieved when the three before me went clear. I almost enjoyed riding the last round.”

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Farrington said he was thrilled with the performance of his horse Landon who is relatively green at this level. “We really needed clear rounds today or we weren’t going to qualify. It was as simple as that. He showed his greenness a bit yesterday, but he really rallied back today over a much more difficult course. [It was] great progress for my horse, and [I am] happy we got Team USA into the Olympics.”

The theme for jump decoration was “scenes from southern Chile” and included Emperor penguins, other animals of Chile, Chilean wine, famous churches and cathedrals, stilt houses of Chiloé, a famous Chilean railway viaduct, Chilean volcanoes, the Mapuche people, artisan handicrafts of Chile, Patagonia and more.

After a day off from competition and a second horse inspection today, the final day of the 2023 Pan American show jumping will be tomorrow, November 3, to determine individual medals. The horse and rider pairs will again jump two rounds, the first from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and the second from 2-3:30 p.m. Chile time (Chile is one hour ahead of the Eastern U.S.).

Three of the four U.S. riders currently sit in the top ten qualifiers for the individual medal competition. Ward and Contagious top the overall leaderboard on 3.34 penalties, Kraut and Dorado 212 in second on 3.39 penalties, and Farrington and Landon in eighth on 5.64 penalties.

Fans can watch on either ClipMyHorse.TV (with paid subscription, although a free trial membership may be available) or possibly on the Pan Am Sports Channel for free at this link (may have to download a free app).

For more information on the U.S. Equestrian Team competing in Chile, click here.

Find schedules, start lists and results on the official games website here and click on “equestrian jumping.”

This coverage of show jumping at the 2023 Pan American Games is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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U.S. Equestrian has announced a substitution to the United States Eventing Team ahead of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Deniro Z, a 13-year-old KPWN gelding ridden by Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp, of Lexington, Ky., and owned by Ocala Horse Properties, has been withdrawn from the team and will be replaced by Doug Payne of Aiken, S.C., and Vandiver, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Debi Crowley, Doug Payne, and Jessica Payne.

Following pre-travel horse evaluations, veterinary concerns prompted additional diagnostic testing of Deniro Z prior to the team’s departure to Europe for pre-export quarantine. Following a thorough review of the testing results, it was determined it is in the best interest of the horse to be withdrawn from the team after confirming he has sustained an injury. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Tamra Smith, of Murrieta, Calif., and Mai Baum, a 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell will be moved into the traveling reserve position.

Will Faudree, of Southern Pines, N.C., and Mama’s Magic Way, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables will become the first alternates, and Will Coleman, of Gordonsville, Va., and Off The Record, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate, will now travel to pre-export quarantine in Aachen, Germany as the second alternate combination.

Further information regarding the United States Eventing Olympic Team selection process and how substitution works can be found on www.usef.org. All nominations to the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team are subject to approval by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Stay up to date on USEF Eventing by following USA Eventing on Facebook and Instagram. Follow US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USAEventing.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOPC, and USEF sponsors and members.

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The U.S. Eventing Team concluded their final outing on Friday, July 2, before their departure to Europe in preparation for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with a morning of show jumping at Great Meadow International in The Plains, Va. Athletes and horses contested the Chris Barnard-designed course which featured a technical and well-built track.

Six combinations finished with double-clear efforts around the solid 1.30 meter track and showcased finessed skill following two days of dressage and cross-country finetuning. Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander was pleased with the team’s performance and felt strongly that the outing provided an opportunity to work through details with each combination and help better prepare for the next few weeks ahead.

“To have an event like this for our horses is amazing, and it’s been at the highest level, and this is more than we expected. It’s incredible to have an event like this for just 12 horses. With the atmosphere we have here actually created more pressure,” said Duvander. “Coming here, it wasn’t just an easy go. There was a step up for cross-country yesterday, so thank you to everyone for their efforts. With the team, there’s a very simple recipe, and it’s to surround yourself with a great group of people.”

Phillip Dutton, of West Grove, Pa., is heading to his seventh Olympic Games this summer and commented on the preparation and the importance of the outing for the team’s overall readiness to head overseas before the Games and the opportunity to represent the United States at a championship of this caliber once again.

“It’s been a great couple of days here at Great Meadow,” he said. “It’s been humbling watching all the riders here. Unfortunately, only three get to ride and represent the country, but any one of these riders you’d be proud to be on a team with,” said Dutton. “We feel very lucky to be part of this and the trip and what’s ahead of us. I don’t think any of us are taking for granted the enormity of what’s ahead in Tokyo, and the competition’s going to be very stiff with the new format of three on a team.”

Peter Wylde, the U.S. Eventing Team Show Jumping Advisor, has been instrumental in the progress of team combinations over the past several weeks and has been working with the program since the beginning of the year. His influence and individualized approach with each combination has paid off in their performances in the ring.

“I do think the great thing that Peter brings to the table is that he has a broad base of experience with a variety of different horses,” commented Doug Payne, of Aiken, S.C., the team’s traveling reserve. “Each preparation he brings to the different horses is completely separate and individual. I think he’s got a great feel for it, and it’s been a huge help.”

Boyd Martin, of Cochranville, Pa., who is heading to his third Olympic Games representing the U.S. Eventing Team, echoed Payne’s comments and commended the efforts and dedication of Wylde. “It’s hard to get the highest caliber people devoted to you, and I think Peter Wylde is one of the best riders and trainers in the world, and for him to help out this team is a huge sacrifice for him,” said Martin. “I feel like he’s enjoyed himself. I had him out cross-country schooling the other day. I was a bit nervous when I first met him because I looked up to him and idolized him when I was a younger rider. I was a bit intimidated, but when you get to know him, he’s actually a really nice guy, too.”

Liz Halliday-Sharp, of Lexington, Ky., who is heading to Tokyo for her first Olympic appearance also attested to Wylde’s ability to bring the best out of each combination, specifically tailoring his training to the needs of each individual horse.

“I think he has such a quiet way and a nice way with the horses, and it’s given me a lot of confidence,” she said. “I relax more into my own riding riding with someone who has that much knowledge. He’s really put effort into each horse and finding the best out of each horse.”

The four team combinations and two traveling alternates headed to Aachen, Germany the following week for their pre-export quarantine, before heading to Tokyo in late July for the Olympic Games, where the U.S. Eventing Team will begin competition on July 30.

U.S. Equestrian extends its sincerest gratitude to the sponsors of the U.S. Eventing Team Mandatory Outing, including Attwood Arena Footing, who readied and serviced the main arena at Great Meadow International for the event, Ocala Horse Properties, who provided athlete and groom meals throughout the week, as well as Taylor Harris Insurance for their support of the Welcome Reception, and GumBits, Land Rover, Platinum Performance, and Pulse Vet Shock Wave for their ongoing support.

Stay up to date on United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing by following USA Eventing on Facebook and Instagram. Follow U.S. Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USAEventing.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOPC, and USEF sponsors and members.

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U.S. Equestrian recently announced the four athlete-and-horse combinations who will represent the U.S. Eventing Olympic Team as part of Team USA at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander and Team Leader Jenni Autry. Competition will begin July 30 and continue through August 2, 2021, at the Equestrian Park and Sea Forest Cross-Country Course venues. Three combinations will compete as a team with one traveling reserve. Two direct reserves have been named alongside six alternate combinations.

“I believe we have a competitive team to represent the U.S. in Tokyo. All the horses have had a little break, and we will now be working to improve some details we identified at the Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L and Jersey Fresh CCI4*-L before we head to the team’s Mandatory Outing at Great Meadow in Virginia,” commented Duvander. “Following that outing, we travel to our Pre-Export Quarantine in Aachen, Germany. This is a great facility and will function as our final training camp where we will be working with dressage judges and have Peter Wylde working with us on the show jumping. This is a very focused group of athletes who are committed to delivering a top performance in Tokyo.”

The following athlete-and-horse combinations will represent the United States at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and are listed in alphabetical order:

◆ Phillip Dutton, of West Grove, Pa.., and Z, a 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Thomas Tierney, Ann Jones, Caroline Moran, Simon Roosevelt, and Suzanne Lacy

◆ Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp, of Lexington, Ky., and Deniro Z, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Ocala Horse Properties

◆ Boyd Martin, of Cochranville, Pa., and Tsetserleg TSF, a 14-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Christine Turner, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner. Tsetserleg TSF was initially named First Direct Reserve and recently replaced Luke 140, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by The Luke 140 Syndicate. Luke 140 sustained a minor injury during his training preparation and has been withdrawn from consideration for the team but is expected to make a full recovery.

◆ Second Direct Reserve: On Cue, a 15-year-old Selle Français mare owned by Christine Turner, Boyd Martin, Thomas Turner, and Tommie Turner

The following combination has been named as the traveling reserve:

◆ Doug Payne, of Aiken, S.C., and Vandiver, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Debi Crowley, Doug Payne, and Jessica Payne

The following combinations have been named as U.S. Eventing Olympic Team alternatives and are listed in selected order:

◆ First Alternate: Tamra Smith, of Murietta, Calif., and Mai Baum, a 15-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra Ahearn, Ellen Ahearn, and Eric Markell

◆ Second Alternate: Will Faudree, of Southern Pines, N.C., and Mama’s Magic Way, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Jennifer Mosing and Sterling Silver Stables

◆ Third Alternate: Will Coleman, of Gordonsville, Va., and Off The Record, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by the Off The Record Syndicate

◆ Fourth Alternate: Sydney Elliott, of Bossier City, La., and QC Diamantaire, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Carol Stephens

◆ Fifth Alternate: Bruce Davidson Jr., of Unionville, Pa., and Carlevo, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Katherine O’Brien

◆ Sixth Alternate: Lauren Nicholson, of The Plains, Va., and Vermiculus, a 14-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Jacqueline Mars

All team nominations are subject to United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee approval.

Stay up to date on United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing by following USA Eventing on Facebook and Instagram. Follow US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USAEventing.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and USEF sponsors and members.

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U.S. Equestrian has announced the four athlete-and-horse combinations selected to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in Tokyo, Japan, as part of the United States Dressage Olympic Team. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald and Team Leader Hallye Griffin. The first horse inspection will take place on July 23, and competition is set to begin on July 24 and continue through July 28, 2021, at the Equestrian Park in Tokyo, Japan. Three combinations will compete as a team with one traveling reserve.

“The team selected to represent us in Tokyo is incredibly strong, and I’m looking forward to working with these combinations in the coming weeks to ensure we deliver performances our country will be proud of this summer,” said Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald. “We’ve worked tremendously hard over the past year to adjust and prepare for these Games, and it’s exciting to see all of the hard work begin to pay off. These combinations are up for the challenge that will be presented to us in Tokyo, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our family, friends, and fans around the country.”

The following athlete-and-horse combinations will represent the United States at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and are listed in alphabetical order:

◆ Adrienne Lyle, of Wellington, Fla., and Salvino, a 14-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by Betsy Juliano, LLC
◆ Steffen Peters, of San Diego, Calif., and Suppenkasper, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Four Winds Farm and Akiko Yamazaki
◆ Sabine Schut-Kery, of Napa, Calif., and Sanceo, a 15-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by Alice Womble

The following combination has been named as the traveling reserve:

◆ Nick Wagman, of San Diego, Calif., and Don John, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Beverly Gepfer

The following combinations have been named as team alternates to the United States Dressage Olympic Team and are listed in selected order:

◆ Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, of Haymarket, Va., and Rassing’s Lonoir, a 17-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Mary Anne McPhail and Olivia LaGoy-Weltz
◆ Ben Ebeling, of Moorpark, Calif., and Illuster van de Kampert, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Sasha Cutter for Nuvolari Holdings and Amy Roberts Ebeling

All team nominations are subject to United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee approval. The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and United States Equestrian Federation sponsors and members.

Stay up to date on USA Dressage on Facebook and Instagram and U.S. Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USADressage.

Further Reading

◆ U.S. Dressage Mandatory Observation Event Showcases Talent of Top U.S. Combinations

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The 14 athlete-and-horse pairs on the U.S. Dressage Olympic Short List took their final trip down the centerline on June 12 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Fla., contesting the FEI Grand Prix Special Test at the U.S. Dressage Mandatory Observation Event.

The U.S. Dressage Mandatory Observation Event served as the final opportunity for the combinations named to the U.S. Dressage Olympic Short List to compete in an atmosphere comparable to what the team’s experience will be in Tokyo, Japan later this summer. The combinations named to the final roster of three competitors and one traveling reserve, will be announced no later than June 21, 2021.

“I’m super excited. I think we have three extremely strong combinations who are capable of scoring above 80 percent, and I don’t think we’ve ever had this type of depth before. There were many great rides tonight, and it’s exciting for U.S. Dressage,” said Debbie McDonald, chef d’equipe of the U.S. Dressage Team. “This event was the smartest thing we could have done in this year with all the various challenges and logistics. Hopefully when we get to Tokyo it will pay off, but either way, it was a good for these riders to feel what the horses were like in this environment.”

Adrienne Lyle, of Wellington, Fla., and Betsy Juliano LLC’s 14-year-old Hanoverian stallion, Salvino, turned in the top test of the evening, posting a new personal best score of 81.830%. Lyle selected a soundtrack of music that included a mix of classical and oldies for her FEI Grand Prix Special to Music, matching the stallion’s energy and elegant movement.

“I wanted to be able to put in another solid test with him, and I have to say he feels really good. I had one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in the warm-up,” said Lyle. “The piaffe and passage felt really secure and confident. The final centerline felt super, and he came out of the ring feeling fresh and fit. I think that was a huge test in this heat and humidity.

He is the horse you want with you down in the trenches. He totally gets it. If I start to slip up, he is always right there to catch me, and those kinds of horses are special, and there are not many like that which you get to sit on in your lifetime,” added Lyle, as she talked about her relationship with Salvino.

Steffen Peters, of San Diego, Calif., continued his long streak of exceptional results with Suppenkasper, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Four Winds Farm, just narrowly missing the 80% mark with an average score of 79.532%. Peters rode the impressive gelding to a mix of music that included pop hits by Coldplay and Snow Patrol.

After earning a personal best in Wednesday night’s FEI Grand Prix, Sabine Schut-Kery, of Napa, Calif., and Sanceo, Alice Womble’s 15-year-old Hanoverian stallion, had another banner performance, earning a 78.298% to round out the top three. Nick Wagman, of San Diego, Calif., and Don John, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Beverly Gepfer, finished in fourth place with a score of 76.043%. Olivia LaGoy Weltz, of Haymarket, Va., and Rassing’s Lonoir, a 17-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by LaGoy Weltz and Mary McPhail, received a 75.170% from the judging panel for the fifth best score of the night.

Results

Watch the U.S. Dressage Mandatory Observation Event on-demand at USEF Network.

Stay up to date on USA Dressage on Facebook and Instagram and U.S. Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USADressage.

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The U.S. Children’s Team and the U.S. Junior Jumping Teams were led by Chef d’Equipe DiAnn Langer, while the two U.S. Young Rider Jumping Teams were led by Anne Kursinski.

“We really look forward to this team event here at Deeridge and the Palm Beach Masters. The sponsorship that goes on at this event is just phenomenal,” said Langer.

“I’m very proud of both of these teams. Everyone rode great, and the horses are fantastic. This competition is able to give them this team experience, which we unfortunately don’t have as much access to team competition like they do in Europe at this age, so the focus here is to give them this opportunity, which is really exciting,” said Kursinski.

U.S. Children’s Jumping Team

The U.S. Children’s Jumping Team came out on top as they faced three competitive teams in the Palm Beach Masters $3,500 Bainbridge Children’s Team competition. With a score of eight faults after the first round, the team of Stephanie Garrett, of Wellington, Fla.; Brooks Hull, of North Fort Myers, Fla.; Sara Pezza, of Newburgh, N.Y.; and Laurel Walker of Dallas, Texas, entered the second round tied for second with two other teams.

Known as the “American Eagles” team during the competition, Pezza rode a clear in the second round on Dundalk, Elan Farm’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. “My [first] round was challenging, but it was good to be able to go back in for the second round and do better,” said Pezza.

Walker also rode a clear aboard Biaggi, her 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, in the second round. “It’s such a new experience to be on a team and have to work together,” said Walker. “To be around riders like Brian Moggre and Beezie Madden, who I’ve looked up to for years, is just amazing.”

Garrett aboard Fani Puigroq, Postage Stamp Farm, LLC’s 13-year-old Warmblood mare, had a rail. “I’ve looked up to so many people who have come here for this competition, and it’s amazing to feel like we’re do the same thing and competing as team just like they are,” she said.

Hull aboard Gorky, Audrey Robison’s 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, also had one rail. “I was really glad to have the opportunity because it is a building block for my bigger dreams and goals,” said Hull. “It’s really going to help me in the long run.”

“Our Children’s team [athletes] from the past few years all aged out this year, so [this is] a brand new group coming on,” said Langer. “For them to step up and jump this height at this time in their career is amazing. I’m so proud of them, and their parents for getting them here, and their trainers for making it happen. I can’t tell you how proud we are of them and how excited for the future with them.”

Full Results

U.S. Junior Jumping Team

Two U.S. Junior Jumping Teams took to the ring to compete in the $8,000 Junior Team Competition against four other teams and won the gold and silver medals. The top-placing “Star Spangled” team of Virginia Bonnie, of Upperville, Va.; Mimi Gochman, of New York, N.Y.; Hallie Grimes of Houston, Texas; and Siena Vasan, of Upperville, Va., accumulated eight faults and held the second-place position heading into the final round.

The following combinations put in double-clear performances in the second round:
– Grimes aboard Leasure Z, Can We Keep It? LLC’s 13-year-old Zangersheide stallion;
– Vasan aboard Tokyo d’Ellipse, Palm Ponies LLC’s 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding; and
– Gochman aboard Street Hassle BH, Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding.

Gochman said it was a huge privilege to be picked for this team. “Stevie jumped amazing!” she said. “He always tries his best and is game for anything. I’ve been with him for three years now and we’re a good couple.”

Grimes had just lost her grandmother, so it was a tougher week for her. “But the team really rallied behind me, and I know she was up there rooting for me,” she said. “Competing on a team adds a whole new dynamic to this sport, and I am so excited to have this experience and hopefully represent the U.S. in future competitions.”

Vasan said her horse was just phenomenal. “He just came off of a break and for him to come out and jump a four and clear for me is just amazing–he just tried his heart out,” she added. “I really enjoyed all the comradery with the girls and getting to be a part of this week.”

Bonnie and Efodea, Nina Bonnie’s 11-year-old KWPN mare, also put in a strong showing, jumping clear and adding one time fault for the drop score. The “Star Spangled” team finished on a score of eight faults.

“It’s such an honor to participate on a team here and get to know all the other kids,” she said. “It’s a different animal than the normal, everyday showing. It’s a really great thing to experience when we’re so young.”

“We were so privileged to be able to field two [junior] teams this year, and this team is just extraordinary,” said Langer. “They are such a great group of riders, and they have a big future in front of them. The experience they are getting is priceless, and I look to see all of them on a senior team in the next few years.”

The U.S. also brought home second place with the “Stars and Stripes” team of Kathryn Hall, of Versailles, Ky.; Maggie Kehring, of Woodside, Calif.; Violet Lindemann Barnett, of San Francisco, Calif.; and Madison Rauschenbach of Newburgh, N.Y.; finishing on a final score of ten faults.

After accruing just five faults as a team in the first round, Barnett rode It’s Real Love vd Smis Z, Sloan Lindemann Barnett’s 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, to jump double-clear.

Hall, aboard All In 9, her 12-year-old Holsteiner mare, jumped clear with just one time fault. Kehring and Cole Haan—the Kehring Family’s 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding—and Rauschenbach and Gillette B—her nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare—put in strong efforts in the second round with an unlucky rail for both.

Full Results

U.S. Young Rider Jumping Team

Both U.S. Young Rider Jumping teams produced strong performances during the $10,000 Enviro Equine Young Riders Team competition to ultimately secure first and second place in the class, respectively. The winning “Stars and Stripes” team featured quality rounds from Natalie Dean, of Palo Alto, Calif.; Isabella Russekoff, of Greenwich, CT; Coco Fath, of Fairfield, CT; and Sophie Gochman, of New York, NY.

Dean and Maestro Vica van de Ark, an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Marigold Sporthorses, LLC, led off the team effort, producing a clear round, and setting a strong tone for their teammates to follow.

“It’s really fun to be able to ride on a team and cheer your teammates on,” said Dean. “I knew Sophie because we competed in Belgium together this past fall, but I didn’t know Coco or Isabella that well at the beginning of this week. It was really fun to get to know them and then ultimately be there cheering each other on and to get the win.”

Russekoff guided Balou’s Fly High, a 13-year-old Oldenburg stallion owned by Suave Pony, LLC, to the team’s second clear round of the day, keeping them ahead of their fellow U.S. competitors and the Canadian team also vying for a solid finish.

“I love rooting for everyone on the team and being a part of that atmosphere,” she said. “It makes you want it more when you’re competing as part of a team.”

Fath piloted Exotic Sitte, a 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding owned by Coco Fath & Hillside Farm LLC, to the team’s third clear-round effort in the first round, ultimately allowing for her teammate, Gochman and Carola BH, a 2007 KWPN mare owned by Gochman Sport Horses LLC, to forgo contesting the first round track, as the team moved forward to the second round on a score of zero.

“This course really felt like a team competition course,” said Fath. “I thought there were a lot of elements that would typically be asked during a team competition, which is really exciting. I was also looking to make the time because it’s something that’s been a struggle of mine, and my horse was incredible. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

The U.S. Young Rider “Stars and Stripes” team ultimately captured the win after Dean produced a second double-clear effort in the final round, followed by Russekof and Fath, who both concluded the competition with a rail apiece to finish on a team total of eight faults. With their victory sealed on their final score of eight faults, Gochman also did not need to contest the second round.

“I love anchoring–it’s super fun,” said Gochman. “It is actually kind of stressful to watch my teammates go. In my last two team competitions, I haven’t ended up needing to ride, which is actually great because it means that I am part of a really great team. It’s just a huge honor to be asked to represent your country on a team like this.”

“I think they all have a very big future for sure, and this is only just the beginning,” said Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski. “I want to thank the sponsors, Deeridge Farms, and the Jacob’s family for hosting this competition here. It’s an incredible opportunity. I think all of these riders have very bright futures and have the talent and drive to go as far as they want to go.”

The U.S. Young Rider “Star Spangled” Team featured solid rounds from Emma Catherine Reichow, of Menlo Park, Calif.; Alexandra Pielet of Highland Park, Ill.; Alessandra Volpi, of Woodside, Calif.; and Daisy Farish, of Versailles, Ky..

Reichow and her own Forever Alve, a 10-year-old KWPN mare, were the first combination in the ring for the team and added only four faults to their score. Pielet rode Helene VE, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Co-Pielet, LLC, as the second pair on course, and produced the team’s first clear round effort.

Volpi and Taiwan du Landey, a 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding she co-owns with Michelangelo Volpi, followed Pielet’s efforts and crossed through the timers with the team’s second clear round in hand. Farish and her longtime partner, Great White, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Farish, had a single rail down as the anchor combination, moving the team into the second round on four faults. Reichow, Pielet, and Volpi each added four faults to their second-round scores, while Farish produced a double clear effort for the team to finish on a total of 12 faults for second place overall.

Full Results

Stay up to date on the U.S. Young Rider Jumping Team, Junior Jumping Team, and Children’s Jumping Team by following USA Jumping on Facebook and Instagram. Use #USAJumping, #FEINationsCup, and #PBM2020.

Further Reading

• U.S. Junior Team Takes Bronze at FEI Jumping Junior Nations Cup™ Tianjin CSIOJ in China

The post U.S. Youth Teams Sweep Top Podiums for Second Consecutive Year in Palm Beach Masters CSI Team Show Jumping Competition appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.